West Coast Tour - San Diego Wednesday Night Series

by Kate Sheahan
West Coast Tour Coordinator

The “Wednesday Night Sailing Series” has many different meanings for San Diego locals, but the plot is similar in cities across America – take a midweek office break and get on the water with friends. For some, it might be their only breath of fresh air as they trade life in a cubicle for a few hours on the water and find the return of hope that the week will indeed end well. For others it is a chance to excel as a team and follow a culture more similar to grand prix racing, even if it is simply dressing alike in show of team spirit. For Grand Prix style boats, it is about getting the wife and kids out to relax as a family between pro events. In keeping with the original intention of the evening, Star sailor Will Stout, of San Diego, bought his boat UNO for one dollar and said his, “priority is to kick back with close friends and keeping the BBQ rolling through every leg of the course.“

West Coast Tour - The Dutch Shoe Marathon

by Kate Sheahan

West Coast Tour Coordinator

Inspired by my visit to the start of the 2,225 nautical mile Transpac last Saturday I decided to partake in my own distance race, albeit a six-miler in a hundred inch long boat – the legendary Sabot. Originally made from plywood, these little boats are a quintessential west coast icon, from which many competitive racers learn to sail. On Friday July 19^th, SDYC and CYC hosted the 44^th annual Dutch Shoe Marathon, a long-standing summer event that as North Sails' Chris Snow put it, “is my favorite day of the summer.” 

The Tillson family started a new family tradition with all members out between three boats. Betty Becker completed what might be her fortieth race, as she has competed since the senior division was added in the 70s. Many newbies, myself included, were just happy to have finished without swamping waves from the navy ships which frequent San Diego Bay almost hourly. 

I can’t wait to get out again next year! Congratulations to all finishers, especially overall winners: Max Brill, Jack Egan and Ryan Ratliff.

Hear from finishers below in video interviews, as well as see a few photos I snapped along the way. If you would like to share your photos from the day, please email them to katesheahan@ussailing.org and I'll add them to the album.

A special thanks to John Fretwell and the SDYC racing coaches and team members for putting me in a boat and shoving me off! 

Now come along as I head north to the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon to keep up with 49ers, 29ers, I14s and Tasars at the Gorge Skiff Invitational.

Follow the West Coast Tour on Twitter at @USSailing

Check out The West Coast Tour Schedule

 

Dutch Shoe Marathon 2013, a set on Flickr.