FWSA Rainbow Regatta

The 2023 FWSA Rainbow Regatta was held on Tuesday, April 4th. The Salty Sisters hosted this year’s event at the Elva Rouse and North Shore Parks. We had eight FWSA member clubs participate: Salty Sisters, Broad Reachers, Luffing Lassies, Windlasses, Bitter Ends, Rhumb Runners, Dinghy Dames and Bowchasers. In total there were 60 competitors, 44 Race Committee, two Professional Photographers, three spectator boats, and dozens of other volunteers. The only thing missing….……. was the wind!!!

At 8:45 that morning, Prams, Optis and Sunfish all left the beach and headed out to their respective racecourses. After about 45 minutes of fighting the incoming tide and the lack of wind, the Prams & Optis hitched a tow out to their course. Both the Sunfish and Prams & Optis started a race and then about 20 minutes later, the dreaded "Abandon Race Flag" went up. Thanks to the spectator boats and the guys from the Sailing Center, all the boats were towed either to the Sailing Center or back to the beach. It was disappointing, but still, everyone had a great time.

Captain Dee Gill thanked the Salty Sister’s Jennifer Anderson and PC Jennifer Parramore for Co-Chairing the event. Marti Cochran handled all the “logistics” of the event including security, parking, beach launch help, boat washing, lunch, awards, etc. Dee thanked our PROs PC Gina Bowden-Pierce on the Pram/Opti course and Windlass Margo Currey on the Sunfish course. On Monday, the day before the event, many of the competitors participated in a practice race (with wind), and then enjoyed a pre-race celebration at Three Daughters Brewing .

Salty Sisters are looking for a few actively sailing, experienced SPYC women sailors for the Class of 2023 who are ready to engage with our members in sailing and teaching!

General Information and Membership Applications are available at the front desk of SPYC Downtown.

~ Please also check our web: www.SaltySisters.org ~

COME JOIN US!

“Sailing” for the Salty Sisters in Sunfish: Captain Dee Gill, Marti Cochran and Sandy Merrifield

Representing the Salties in Prams: Els Wiemken and Kaitie Rodgers . In the Opti team was Emily Kennedy , Anna Streufert, Iris Mastry, Carol Hansen, Joanne Simmons and our team leader, Vanessa Beckman

Sailing for the Broad Reachers, in Optis: Wendy Saks, Lisa Avila and Virginia Campbell

Again, we want to thank the many volunteers (too many to list) that came out to help with the event. The Salty Sister and Briney Brother “Village” did a marvelous job!!