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Highlights and Key Takeaways from the 2026 FWSA Annual Meeting at Davis Island Yacht Club
- Susan St. John
- 27 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The Annual FWSA meeting took place on May 21, 2026, hosted by the Dinghy Dames at the Davis Island Yacht Club. Sailors arrived to coffee and snacks and enjoyed catching up with each other before the meeting began.
Pam Miller, Bitter End and FWSA President, started the meeting at 10 am. Each Board Member shared a report about their work over the past year. Two important amendments were approved: moving the September meeting to October and allowing clubs to keep members even if their membership falls below 10.
Missy Weiner of the Mainsheet Mamas passed away recently after the Rainbow Regatta. At the start of the meeting, Captain Jennifer Holmberg and the Mainsheet Mamas from the Tampa Bay Yacht and Country Club shared a message in her memory.
This year, the FWSA Board brought back the FWSA Spirit Awards. There are three divisions: Sunfish, Opti, and Pram. The Sunfish Class Spirit Award went to several clubs, including the Bitter Ends of Venice, Luffing Lassies of Sarasota, and Windlasses of Dunedin. The Windlasses also won both the Opti and Pram Awards.
The Lilly Kaighin Award was given to Carroll McClain of the Mainsheet Mamas. The Young Woman Sailor of the Year Award, which includes a $5,000 prize, went to Kate Donaldson, a Harvard student nominated by the Broad Reachers of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club at Pass-A-Grille.
Outgoing President Pam handed out thank-you bags made by Jill Joos from the Bitter Ends. She gathered everyone for a group photo to show that it takes a team to have a great season. Pam also received the traditional gifts: a personalized weather jacket, a President’s pin, and some notecards.
The tables were decorated with sunflower vases, and lunch was a salad buffet with soup and chicken. For dessert, there was a cake to celebrate the new FWSA President for 2026-2027, Susan Piersons Colunio, who is a Dinghy Dame and former Bitter End. Chansi Harrow from the Dinghy Dames drew the winning number for the 50/50 raffle, and new president Susan gave the prize to Tiffany Demarcay of the Mainsheet Mamas. Tiffany generously donated her prize back to FWSA to support the Young Women’s Scholarship fund. Thank you, Tiffany!
The Windlasses of Dunedin won both the Opti and Pram FWSA Spirit Awards.
The Sunfish Class Spirit Award went to several clubs, including the Bitter Ends of Venice, Luffing Lassies of Sarasota, and Windlasses of Dunedin.
The Lilly Kaighin Award was given to Carroll McClain of the Mainsheet Mamas.
The Young Woman Sailor of the Year Award, which includes a $5,000 prize, went to Kate Donaldson, a Harvard student nominated by the Broad Reachers of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club at Pass-A-Grille.
Thank you to Nancy Marrick, Bitter Ends, for the fantastic photos and article.