FWSA Unveils Exciting Plans for the 2025-26 Sailing Season

Marge Whiteman
Sep 23
2 min read

The FWSA launched the 2025-2026 sailing season at their fall meeting on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. The meeting was held at the newly renovated St. Petersburg Yacht Club at Pass-a-Grille, and hosted by the Broad Reachers.

FWSA President Pam Miller (Bitter End) started off the meeting with a congratulations to Kathy Sinnett of the Windward Women for receiving the Leadership in Women's Sailing Award from BoatUS and to the nine FWSA sailors out of thirty-two competitors that raced in the Sunfish North American Championship in June. The FWSA had numerous women that finished well with some winning awards at this Championship.

President Pam gave and overview of her goals and the calendar for the upcoming season. Her theme is one of connection; connecting to individual members through technology, between the east and west coasts through leadership, and among members by mingling together at meetings and events. Over the summer, the Rainbow Regatta Hosting Guidelines were reviewed and changed with the new guidelines in place and ready to be utilized by the hosts of the 2026 Rainbow Regatta. The Long Range Plan has been reviewed and updated with Karen Naulty (Luffing Lassies) as Chair. A full summary is available on the FWSA Website.

President Pam gave an overview of the number of sailors in our various clubs. The FWSA consists of 2 small clubs of 10 members or less, 5 medium clubs with membership between 10-40 sailors and 4 large clubs consisting of more than 40 sailors. She also conducted a survey for a possible bylaw change moving the fall meeting from the 3rd Tuesday in September to the 3rd Tuesday in October.

Next, Vice President Susan Colonio (Dinghy Dames) cheered on an exciting season of 2 fun sails and 6 interclubs waving pom poms. All the sailing events will be completed prior to the Rainbow Regatta scheduled for April 27, 2026 and hosted by the Windlasses. Education Chair Anne Chotkowski (Bitter End) discussed a planned full day educational event scheduled for Monday, January 12, 2026. Website Manager Susan St. John (Luffing Lassies) promoted the multiple changes within the website that are in progress. Please go to the website for any needed information on the calendar, interclub dates and information, or to access the new directory completed by Chris Kelly and Joy Sheets (Windlasses). Contact your club's delegate for the password.

Following adjournment of the meeting, Peter Grant of Tampa Bay Watch delivered a wonderful presentation on the water and wetlands restoration efforts around the Tampa Bay Area. Take a look at their website, www.tampabaywatch.org for information on all their wonderful activities or to donate to this wonderful organization.