Hello Sailors,

The past few weeks have not been conducive to sailing in the Tampa Bay area.  I hope that you and your boats are well so we can get back to doing what we do best, sailing.

SPSA Fall Series Races 1&2 Recap:  Our first SPSA races of the season were held in September.  We were able to get two races off with a pre-race thunderstorm rain delay. The Race Committee was the Soverel 26 Obsession, as our new RC boat had mechanical difficulties.  Tack Tick came away with two bullets to win the racing division.  You should have been there to see them come from behind and cross before Gimmi Shelter in race one.  The cruising division saw some excitement as both the Cruising Spinnaker and Jib & Main classes were decided in tie breakers.  Congrats to Charisma & Slow Bell.  The post-race event was changed from Localz to the Big Catch, where sailors came by land and sea.  Results posted here.

King of the Bay:  Not surprising, but there haven’t been any KOB results submitted for October.  This weekend will be windy.  Be aware of potential post storm debris, and some red tide in Tampa Bay.  More info on King of the Bay here.

SPSA/SPYC Classic Regatta: We had lots of logistical complications planning a successful event, so we have elected to cancel the 2024 Classic Regatta.  We will pick up the pieces and have set the 2025 Classic date for Oct 10 & 11.  Refunds have been issued for your registration. Hope to see you next year. Event website: https://neighborly.org/events/

SPSA Dolphins Cruising: The Clearwater Jazz Holiday has been canceled for this weekend.  And the Halloween cruise to Boca Ciega Bay on Oct. 25-27 is also cancelled due to damage in Gulfport and at Boca Ciega Yacht Club, where we were planning to have a party. Boca Ciega bay itself may not be safe for anchoring as the bay is still full of hazards to navigation including debris and uncharted sunken boats.  

However, the annual All-Sailing-Clubs Fall Kick-Off Cruise at Emerson Point is still on schedule for Nov. 23-24. Here's hoping everyone is ready to sail by then! Find more updates on cruising on the website

Upcoming Events: 

SPSA Fall Series Races 3&4: We have next Saturday 10/26 set as a tentative makeup date for these races.  We have the Race Committee boat and team confirmed.  The plan is to have the races and the Oktoberfest after party at the Sailing Center.  SPSA BOD will make the call next week to confirm moving forward.  A separate email will go out to the fleet to gauge their readiness.  And the club members will be updated.

See you all out on the Bay!

Brian Conlin

SPSA Commodore

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