2019 marks the fifth consecutive year for San Diego Yacht Club, alongside the entire San Diego sailing community, to host Warrior Sailing Basic for one of our Nationwide Training camps. Our host hotel Humphrey’s, and its close proximity to the San Diego Yacht Club, made for a perfect location for the 21 new warrior sailors. Our Basic Training hosts new sailors with the support of some amazing coaches (one coach per boat onboard with three warriors). Some of the participants had some sailing experience, but the majority had never experienced the power of sailing. The camaraderie amongst the group in 2019 began at the welcome dinner on Monday night and extended through the three days of on-water training. San Diego never fails, with sunshine and breeze each day to test the sailors. The club facilities are amazing and our continued outreach into the San Diego community shows how much sailing can give back.
SDYC Finn Fleet headed to South Bay to race in Coronado Yacht Club's small boat regatta with SDYC taking the top five positions. Overall winner was Jr. Staff Commodore Mike Dorgan, followed in second by his 18 yr-old son Matt Dorgan and on the podium in third, Gregg Morton. Seven races were sailed over 2 days in mostly medium air with wind shifts as big as 30 degrees, keeping the fleet on their toes.
The Sign up sheet for the JCAT 8/18 is now at the front desk at the SDYC. The Junior Coastal Anglers Tournament (JCAT) is usually meant for our SDYC Junior Anglers ages 8 and up who are able to bait their own hooks and cast independently. This is a TOURNAMENT with trophies and prizes in different categories so the kids are expected to fish 100% on their own! The JCAT is a 3/4 day trip on the Sea Watch out of Seaforth Sportfishing on Quivira Road. (7am-5pm) The charter is free of charge, however rod rentals are $25 per person, there is a charge for galley food, and you are expected to TIP the deckhands.
Neal and Ruthie Schneider just recently returned from their eight year circumnavigation around the globe on their sailboat, Rutea. The Schneider’s spoke about their journey through the years, life on the boat, and a slew of information about their many, many stops.
Neal and Ruthie, before beginning their cruise, were local business owners. After a competitor gave them an “offer they couldn’t refuse,” they sold their business and decided what better adventure to take than to sail around the globe!
Lowell North, a true legend in the world of sailing, has left us for fair winds and good sailing up above, but what North built and left will always be.
Lowell Orton North, born on December 2, 1929, in Springfield, Missouri, passed away today, but will always be remembered for his competitive successes and for creating the North Sails empire from just a little loft in San Diego in 1957. The loft was positioned on what is now referred to as the “North lot” where the dry storage is currently at SDYC.
From the beginning, his was a scientific approach. As an aeronautic/aerospace engineer, was among the very first sail makers to embrace computer modeling. He hired other champion sailors (“tigers”) to demonstrate and sell his products. Lowell’s innovation, creativity and spirit is what has shaped his business into the successful company that it remains to be today.
On the water, Lowell was renowned for his results in the Star Class, he medaled in 12 World Championships over 25 years and won gold at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. He also won a bronze medal in the Dragon at the 1964 Tokyo Games. It was during this time that North Sails was first getting off the ground, and Lowell met many people who would become key players in its expansion.
Sail on Lowell North and thank you.