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.

By Megan Brady, Luffing Lassies There’s something magical about trading crowded beaches for open water during Spring Break—especially when it’s powered by wind, teamwork, and an all-women crew. This year’s FWSA Women’s Sailing Interclub "Spring Break" wasn’t just a Day; it was a celebration of skill, confidence, and community on the water. From the moment the sails were hoisted, the energy was electric. Women from different clubs came together, each bringing their own style, experience, and stories. Some sailors were seasoned racers, reading wind shifts like a second language. Others were newer to the sport, stepping into roles that pushed them out of their comfort zones. But on the water, those differences faded quickly—what mattered was communication, trust, and a shared love of sailing. The morning began early, with the sun rising over calm Sarasota Bay waters that wouldn’t stay that way for long. By mid-morning, the breeze picked up, turning the bay into a playground for all three fleets to sail on. Keven our Pro and her crew, helmed and charted a great course allowing for three fleets, Sun Fish, 420, and American 18 to all get on the racecourse with different starting times. Races were competitive but supportive— tight mark rounding's, and plenty of cheering (and laughing) between boats. It wasn’t just about winning; it was about improving, learning, and lifting each other up. Off the water, we enjoyed a lovely lunch, that turned into storytelling sessions of triumph, near misses, and the occasional chaotic event that everyone could laugh about later. The awards were unique to each fleet. The American 18's participated in their first interclub with much success. What made this interclub experience stand out was its focus on women supporting women and coming together for another fabulous FWSA event. Spring Break will always mean different things to different people. But for those who spent this day chasing wind, working as a team, and building a network of incredible women, it became something more: a reminder that the best adventures aren’t just about where you go, but who you sail with. Until next FWSA event—fair winds and following seas. Edited by Marge Whiteman

By Lezlee Kramer, Racing Chair Rhumb Runners We had another beautiful Race Day in Paradise  for the FWSA Interclub hosted by the Rhumb Runners at BCYC on Monday, March 23rd.  Competitors from Dunedin to Tampa to Venice competed in Sunfish sailboats. Ten sailors enjoyed the mid 70’s temperatures.  We were a little concerned early when the breeze was 2-3 knots, but then it filled in nicely around the start time of the race to 6-8 knots.  An excellent course was set and adjusted by our PRO Jen Paramore.  Her entire Race Committee and mark boat worked well to ensure an enjoyable race that ran smoothly.  The broad smiles on the racer's faces when they returned to shore told the whole story.  The top results were: L-R Rhumb Runners Lezlee Kramer, Bitter Ends Ann Carroll, 3rd place, Windlasses Connie Raney, 2nd place, Windlasses Chris Kelley, 1st place, Luffing Lassie Sandy Gerber, newest sailor with lowest score. As with any event, it takes a Village.  Many thanks to the volunteers who gave their time to make this event successful: Our Rhumb Runner Team : Ellen Alexander, Meg Banitch, Suzanne Boohar, Janet Kreutzer, Sharl Turner, Sheri Ogorek, Cathy Talisman, Lisa Glaser, and Ellen White. Our PRO: Jen Paramore And we couldn’t have done anything without the Boat Captains who donated their time and boats for the morning: Dave & Karen Morgan – Committee Boat Bob Dowling – Marks/ Safety Boat Joel Heyne – s/v Windsong - Spectator Boat And Fauss Hull who helped launch & retrieve on the beach. I can’t thank everyone enough for helping me make today a success.  And I do understand there may be a little work for the Duh Flag Officer, too! Ellen setting up for lunch   Captain Joel and a spectator on s/v Windsong Committee and Marks boats setting a fabulous course And then they were racing!!! Post race retrieval and clean up     Edited by Marge Whiteman .

FWSA President Pam Miller and Bitter Ends Interclub Chair Lisa Meacock Written by Pam Miller Photos by Nancy Marik After little to no wind for multiple weeks on Roberts Bay, the Bitter Ends were excited to host their annual interclub regatta where the predicted winds were a perfect 9-10 mph with gusts in the low teens and an ideal temperature of 70 degrees under sunny skies. However, the actual conditions on the water turned out to be quite unexpected. Ten sailors from two visiting clubs, the Dunedin Windlasses and the Sarasota Luffing Lassies, arrived early to rig their boats to be ready for the day. Two sailors from the Davis Island Dinghy Dames came down to cheer the sailors from the spectator boat. As eighteen sailors launched at 9:30, the winds were as predicted. By the time everyone got out to the racecourse, the winds had gained speed, increasing to 14-15 mph with continuous gusts in the low 20s. As the course was being set, most sailors adjusted their gooseneck setting on the lower spar to have better control in the heavy winds and others employed their Jens rig to help depower the sail. Despite the adjustments made, it was a wild ride for all. The winds were out of the south which made the racing even more thrilling since the southerly winds come straight down the intracoastal waterway to Roberts Bay. Once in Roberts Bay there was nothing to stop the gusts as they seemed to swirl around becoming more forceful. The racers quickly learned to pay close attention to the gusts as the sailors needed to hike out of the boats to keep them upright and flat for speed. The gusty winds resulted in seven capsizes. Unfortunately for Iona Long, a rookie sailor from the Sarasota Luffing Lassies, she had three of the capsizes. When the awards were passed out, the Principal Race Officer, Janet Molen, commented that she had never seen anyone get their boat upright so quickly and easily clamber in. Luckily, the Safety Boat staffed by Allan Grant and Tina Haase of Venice did not have to perform any rescues as all sailors were able to right their boats on their own. The Race Committee of Ed Haase, Tom Leonard, Janet Molen and Sue Carroll conducted three races, and with each race the wind continued to build a little and the gusts got stronger. Before the 1 st  race even started, two sailors headed back to shore deeming the winds above their skill level. Numbers dwindled from there. After the 1 st  race, another two sailors headed in. During the 2 nd  race, one sailor tied up on the committee boat so she could be towed at the end of racing since she didn’t feel she could safely sail in. In the 3 rd  race, two sailors left the race before finishing the course. The sailors were very grateful when a decision was made to head back to shore after the 3 rd  race was completed. What was most impressive was the rookie sailor, who had only been sailing a Sunfish sailboat for 4 months, finished all 3 races. Once the sailors were back ashore, many stories were told about almost capsizes and almost misses of hitting another boat during a strong gust. Unfortunately, two crashes did occur, but no one was hurt. The only blood shed was during a capsize where Windlass Joy Sheets’ centerboard hit her face as she was going over. As Joy’s split lip and face scrape was being examined by a former nurse, Joy’s lament was “my daughter is getting married in a month, and I don’t want any bruising”. She was assured all would be healed in time. Luffing Lassie Lisa Brown Ehrhart noted that many of the Lassies had an ah-ha moment while sailing and that they were very proud of their achievements on the water.  A delicious luncheon, catered by Venice's Croissant & Co., was held at the Higel Park Pavilion. Interclub chair, Lisa Meacock, outdid herself with the interclub theme "Knot Your Average Interclub." She decorated the picnic tables with blue tablecloths with a white runner decorated with blue, stenciled knots. On each table were knot key chains with a Sunfish logo that each sailor, spectator and volunteer took home as a keepsake of the day.   During lunch, mixed teams of sailors from different clubs were formed for a ‘Test Your Knot Knowledge’ quiz. The lucky team of Bitter Ends Marge Whiteman, Windlass Connie Ranney, and Luffing Lassie Sandy Gerber had the top score of 16 correct out of 20 questions. Having Sandy, a 20-year Coast Guard veteran on the team, certainly helped them achieve such a high score and no one protested the ‘unfair’ advantage. The winning team was awarded quilted clutches made by Bitter Ends sailor Jill Joos. The winning sailors were awarded quilted purses. Jill’s bags have become coveted awards within the Florida Women’s Sailing Association and 2 nd  place winner, Windlass Joy Sheets, was ecstatic with finally winning a bag.  The Florida Women's Sailing Association was founded in 1973 and the Bitter Ends, along with ten other member clubs, compete in Sunfish, Optis, Club 420s, Capri 14.2s, and 16.5s, American 18s, Sonars, and Ideals 18s racing once a week at their respective clubs. The Bitter Ends sail out of Higel Park and the facilities of the Venice Youth Boating Association at Venice Yacht Club. They race on Wednesday mornings mid-September through May. Membership is open to the public for women who have experience in sailing.  Information about club requirements can be found at www.bitterendsvenice.com .   Regatta Race Results:  Chris Kelly, 1 st , Windlass of Dunedin; Joy Sheets, 2 nd , Windlass of Dunedin; Pam Miller, 3 rd , Bitter Ends of Venice; Iona Long, Rookie, Luffing Lassie of Sarasota. Interclub winners with their awards. L-R Rookie LL Iona Long, 3rd Place BE Pam Miller, 2nd Place WL Joy Sheets, 1st Place WL Chris Kelly Lining up for the start Third Race heading to the Windward mark Racing toward the Leeward mark A beautiful display of Sunfish on the water Registration, PRO Janet Molen and Happy game winners. Edited by Marge Whiteman

Fore and Aft game with winners PJ Summerville (DD) and Lisa Meacock (BE) By Pam Miller Photos by Nancy Marik The FWSA kicked off the second half of the 2025-26 season with the January General Meeting hosted by the Bow Chasers at the Clearwater Yacht Club.  Sixty-six members attended in person with 3 participating via Zoom.  The setting for the meeting couldn’t have been more perfect with the sun glistening off the Charlotte Harbor waters outside the dining room windows.  An FWSA banner greeted attendees as they entered, and tables were set with festive nautical napkins set off by the Clearwater Yacht Club burgee napkin ring.  Attendees picked a number after registering to find out where they would sit.  Many participants commented that the small table arrangements (4-6/table) were very conducive to meeting new sailors and sharing what other clubs are doing. The Board Officers, Committee Chairs, and Club Delegates gave updates on significant happenings within FWSA and the individual clubs.  President Pam Miller (Bitter Ends) reported that each club had provided breakdowns on their membership, as of January, and it was interesting to learn that of the 647 FWSA members, 58% are sailors, 8% work solely as Race Committee or Safety Boat personnel, and the remaining 34% are ‘seasoned’ non-sailors, as Margo Currey (Windlass) described them in her report.  It is so rewarding to see that although no longer sailing or working on support boats, that a third of the membership remains involved with FWSA. Vice-President Susie Colunio (Dinghy Dame) gave a summary of the interclubs held in the first half of the year.  Since 2 of the 3 interclubs were abandoned due to poor weather conditions, the FWSA Board wants to have an open discussion to determine if anything can be done to reduce the number of interclubs abandoned by changing start times, revamping how luncheons are handled, providing more flexibility to timing, etc.  All suggestions are welcome and should be directed to Susie Colunio ( scolunio@aol.com ). Margo Currey gave an update on the progress to date on the logistics for the Rainbow Regatta scheduled for Monday, April 27 th .  Cost will be $65/sailor, with non-sailors lunches provided at $30. Drop off for boats at the Clearwater Community Sailing Center will be from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, April 26 th , and food will be available for purchase.  Regatta Network will be used for registration so all attendees can see who will be competing.  The goal is to have 100+ sailors on the water!  An email has already been sent to members regarding a special FWSA rate at the Pelican Pointe Hotel & Condo in Clearwater for those who want to spend the night close to the venue vs. driving in the morning of the event. The highlight of the meeting was guest speaker Ally Blake, Meteorologist from Tampa Bay Channel 28, an ABC Affiliate.  Ally was a breath of fresh air with her high energy and charismatic presentation style.  Her presentation focused on the impacts of weather in our daily lives and when we are on the water, but it was her Q&A session that had all the attendees involved.  After 40 minutes, the Q&A session was halted so attendees could go through the buffet line.  Ally was gracious and answered questions while everyone was in line.  She barely had time to eat her lunch as she continued to be peppered with questions.  A delicious lunch was followed by the 50/50 raffle for the Young Woman Sailor of the Year fund which was won by Chansi Harrow (Dinghy Dame).  The Young Women Sailor of the Year netted $235 and Chansi won $235.  The raffle was followed by a game called “Fore and Aft”.  All attendees who had bought raffle tickets were asked to stand and choose to place their hands either on their head (fore) or on their tusch (aft).  A coin flip simulator then ran on an iPhone displaying Heads and/or Tails.  Depending on which coin was showing when the simulator stopped, attendees sat down if their choice was wrong or remained standing.  It took 5 rounds before the group was down to the last ten standing.  These individuals were asked to come to the front of the room so everyone could see their choice as the coin flipped.  On the last round, 3 remained standing and each was asked to turn their back to each other so they couldn’t see what the other individual was choosing.  On the last spin, Lisa Meacock (Bitter Ends) and PJ Summerville (Dinghy Dame) remained standing.  Lisa and PJ both won a coin purse handmade by Jill Joos (Bitter Ends) and inside was a $20 gift card donated by First Watch. Many thanks to the small but mighty group of the Bow Chasers who pulled off a perfectly executed General Meeting under the leadership of Bow Chasers Captain Cathy McNally.    The Bow Chasers welcome FWSA sailors Delegates Katie Rodgers and Lisa Meacock vote to approve having the Young Woman Sailor of the Year Award ((YWSYA) apply to be a 501 (c)(3) organization. Ally Blake, Meterologist from Tampa Bay Channel 8 an ABC affiliate, presents on the Impacts of Weather in our Daily Lives A happy Chansi Harrow (DD) wins the 50/50 raffle

Written by Anne Chotkowski and Pam Miller Photos from Nancy Marik The FWSA education day on January 12, 2026, was a huge success. Of the 79 sailors who registered, 74 of our local sailors and one from the Halifax Sailing Association gathered in the upstairs dining room at Davis Island Yacht Club for registration and to enjoy coffee, tea, and breakfast pastries. The day began with a welcome from FWSA president, Pam Miller (Bitter End), and an introduction for each presenter and their topic by FWSA Education Chair, Anne Chotkowski (Bitter End). To start the day, Miriam Staveley (Bitter End) gave a flag presentation in which she helped attendees find ways to link each flag to something familiar or easy to visualize using mnemonics. Next, Lisa Brown Ehrhart (Luffing Lassie) gave a presentation on high wind sailing techniques, which focused on optimizing a sailor’s strengths in heavier winds to make the sailing journey the very best that it could be. The Safety at Sea presenter, Cheryl Lowery (National Women’s Sailing Association), was too ill to attend. Still, her open time slot allowed the committee to move Emily Wagner’s (Dinghy Dame) presentation, ‘Friendly Physics for Sailors, not Physicists,’ so it didn’t conflict with Lisa Ehrhart’s presentation. This worked well and was a good lesson for next year to not schedule key presentations at the same time. Emily discussed the forces being applied to the boat and how to respond to them efficiently, and sailors commented that her PowerPoint presentation really brought the scenarios presented to life. The day started very chilly, and FWSA VP Susie Colunio (Dinghy Dame) was able to convince the DIYC Restaurant Manager to allow the presentations and regifting to take place in the upstairs dining room, rather than on the deck. Luckily, by lunchtime, the sun came out, and the wind had died down, so everyone went outside to enjoy the fresh air and eat the lunch provided by “Chicken Salad Chick,” organized by Susie. Resounding positive feedback was received on the quality of the boxed lunch. The afternoon session provided the opportunity to choose from 3 different activities. The Opti and Pram sailors had an energized roundtable discussion with Carol Hansen (Broad Reacher/Salty Sister), Miriam Staveley, and Lisa Brown Ehrhart, discussing logistics and the kind of events that they would like to participate in the future. Linda Schwartz (Luffing Lassie) demonstrated how to install the “Modified Gust Adjust/Jenn’s Rig” system as a means of depowering the sail when the wind increases, and a sailor is unable to keep their boat flat by hiking out. At the same time, Carrie Greene (Dinghy Dame) gave a lively discussion on “All Boats Team Racing.” One of the sailors commented that she learned ten new things about team racing, and others expressed that they would like to form their own team to compete in team racing. All clubs were encouraged to try out team racing on one of their regular race days. Breaks throughout the day allowed sailors to shop at the regifting store and buy raffle tickets for a Shelby painting of Opti boats sailing on the bay that was donated by Caroline Young, a Dinghy Dame, who is a sailing coach at MIT. Sue Carroll of the Bitter Ends was the ultimate winner of the painting. Initially, Chansi Harrow (Dinghy Dame) won the painting, but since she is on the YWSYA Committee, she asked that another ticket be pulled. Very generous, Chansi! Regifting sales and the raffle netted $1,519.36 for the Young Women’s Sailor of the Year fund. Before heading to their home bases, sailors filled out evaluations on the day, and many expressed that it was good to get answers to their questions on how to sail better, rig their boats, and learn more about team racing. They also provided many topics for next year’s education day(s). Many thanks to the presenters, Susie Colunio, who handled all the logistics of registration, breakfast, and lunch; the YWSYA Committee for handling the regifting FWSA sailors in a setting where everyone felt comfortable asking questions. Miriam Staveley Bitter End Flag presentation Lisa Brown Ehrhart Luffing Lassie High wind sailing technique's Emily Wagner Dinghy Dame ‘Friendly Physics for Sailors, not Physicists’ Linda Schwartz Luffing Lassie How to install the “Modified Gust Adjust/Jenn’s Rig” system Anne Chotkowski, Education Chair, Bitter End Pam Miller, FWSA President Bitter End Shelby painting of Opti boats sailing donated by Caroline Young, Dinghy Dame. Winner, Bitter End Sue Carroll Thank you to Brian Acampa of the Bitter Ends for videotaping four sessions from the FWSA Education day. You can view the videos at the following locations; FWSA.net head to the Educational Videos page Florida Women's Sailing Association YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@FWSA1973 For additional helpful information the Education Committee has uploaded useful information for you that is broken down into categories. Linda Schwartz's document " How to install the “Modified Gust Adjust/Jenn’s Rig” system is on the FWSA Resources page of FWSA.net in the Rigging and Maintenance section.

By Kathi Porter, Windward Women, Halifax Sailing Association On November 15, the Halifax River was dotted with pink as Halifax Sailing Association’s Windward Women hosted the 4th Annual Pink Ribbon Regatta in Daytona Beach. What began just a few years ago as a small idea to combine sailing and service has grown into a full-day celebration of racing, community, and support for local breast cancer patients. This year’s regatta brought together more than 30 sailors ranging in age from 7 to 88, representing clubs from across Florida. Optis, Aeros, Sunfish, Wetas, and PHRF boats all shared the water, with youth fleets launching from the beach while the adult classes headed downriver. The scene at the club ramp was busy but cheerful, helped along by a “valet dolly” crew of volunteers who kept boats moving smoothly to and from the water. On the racecourse, conditions offered a fun mix of challenge and opportunity. Younger sailors focused on boat handling and confidence close to shore, while the downriver fleets stretched their legs on longer legs along the Intracoastal. At the end of the day, trophies were awarded across fleets, including handcrafted model sailboats that quickly became coveted keepsakes. Every female competitor was also presented with a pink orchid in honor of the cause and the many women and families touched by breast cancer. A regatta with a purpose While the on-water action drew plenty of smiles, the heart of the Pink Ribbon Regatta has always been its mission. Proceeds from the event support two local partners: ●      Halifax Health Foundation’s Charles L. and Miki N. Grant Cancer Center for Hope, specifically its patient assistance program, which helps cover practical needs like transportation, medication, and other support for patients in treatment. ●      Heart Strings Breast Care Boutique in New Smyrna Beach, which provides professional undergarment fittings and supplies to uninsured and underinsured breast cancer survivors. Thanks to the generosity of sailors, sponsors, and the wider community, this year’s Pink Ribbon Regatta raised $3270 for the Halifax Health Foundation’s Charles L. and Miki N. Grant Cancer Center for Hope patient assistance program and  $1820 for Heart Strings Breast Care Boutique in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. “Boob-tique,” tacos, and community On shore, fundraising and fellowship were in full swing. The “Boob-tique” offered a playful nod to the event’s cause, with pink-themed items and sailing-related goodies available by donation. Silent auction tables and sponsor contributions rounded out the fundraising efforts, creating a steady hum of activity between races. Midday, sailors and supporters gathered for a “Tacos for Tatas” buffet, complete with live music and door prizes. The atmosphere felt more like a family reunion than a formal regatta: racers comparing notes on wind shifts, youth sailors proudly showing off their trophies, and non-sailing friends and family soaking it all in from the pavilion. Sailing green: a Clean Regatta focus The Pink Ribbon Regatta is also committed to protecting the waters it sails on. As part of its Clean Regatta efforts, the organizing team focused on reducing single-use plastics, encouraging reusable water bottles, and setting up clear recycling and waste stations to minimize landfill trash. Food service was planned with waste reduction in mind, and volunteers helped sort recyclables and compostable items at the end of the day. These practices align with Sailors for the Sea’s Clean Regatta principles and reflect HSA’s goal of hosting events that care for both people and the planet. All their efforts and organization were rewarded as The Pink Ribbon Regatta received Platinum Level Clean Regattas Certification from Sailors for the Sea. Powered by Windward Women and friends None of this would happen without the year-round work of Windward Women and the broader HSA community. From early planning and sponsor outreach to mark setting, safety boat driving, registration, scoring, cooking, decorating, and cleanup, volunteers poured their hearts into making the 4th Annual Pink Ribbon Regatta a success. Youth sailors played a special role this year, too. Many of them not only raced but also helped on shore, learning that sailing can be a pathway to leadership, service, and community-building. For newer sailors, seeing so many women involved in organizing and running the event was as inspiring as the racing itself. Looking ahead As the sun set over the Halifax River and the last boats were de-rigged, the sense of accomplishment was clear. The regatta had delivered competitive racing, joyful camaraderie, and tangible support for local breast cancer patients and survivors. For the Windward Women of Halifax Sailing Association, the Pink Ribbon Regatta is now a cherished tradition - one that blends everything FWSA stands for: women leading on the water, building community, and using sailing as a platform for good. Plans are already taking shape for the 5th Annual Pink Ribbon Regatta, with hopes of raising even more funds, welcoming more sailors, and continuing to grow this special day on the Halifax River.

By Chris Kelly Photos by Rita Root The Windlasses held a "No Frills, Just Thrills" Team Racing Regatta on Thursday, November 20, 2025. Night tactics began with drinks and food at the Dunedin Brewery the previous evening, where it was learned that many sailors had not recently reviewed the team racing videos on the FWSA website. As a result, the sailors were often engaged in questioning each other about what tactics would be best. The Sunfish Fleet had 6 teams, and the Pram/IOD Fleet had 3 teams, with teams in each fleet consisting of 3 sailors. The sailors launched right after the Skipper's meeting, expertly handled by Sunfish PRO Margo Currey. The sailors plodded their way to the racecourses in very light air. A short postponement occurred before racing started in very light air. During the postponement, Windlass photographer Rita Root took pictures of sailors having fun on the water and showing off their team colors. PRO Margo Currey squeezed in 12 races on the Sunfish Course, giving each Sunfish team combination 4 races. The Pram/IOD fleet with PRO Donna Sharpless finished 8 races. Both fleets sailed the Digital S course finishing at the top then leisurely sailing back to the start area for another sequence to begin. When the wind did a 180 degree shift, the Sunfish course was quickly reversed, which allowed the teams to get in the last set of races. When a decision was made to head in to shore, a cheer went up from the sailors who were ready for some liquid refreshment. Lunch and awards followed at the Hog Island Fish Camp. Race Results: Sunfish 1st Place: Mixed Team with Linda Schwartz, Luffing Lassie; Lisa Ehrhart, Luffing Lassie; and Sharon Grasso, Windlass. Sunfish 2nd Place : Windlass Team with Sharron Williams, Carolyn Jelnecky and Christine Russo. Sunfish 3rd Place : Mixed Team with Marti Cochran, Salty Sister; Juliet Clark, Broadreacher; and Iwona Pralet, Windlass. Pram 1st Place : Windlass Team of Susan Foote, Kate Wall and Amber Smith. Pram 2nd Place : Windlass Team of Joanne Simmons, JoAnne Laflin and Susan Piatrowski. Pram 3rd Place : Mixed Team of Debra Schnedler, Windlass; Sharlene Turner Rhumb Runners; and Lynne Kondracki, Windlass. Edited by Marge Whiteman and Pam Miller

By Missy Weiner In August, FWSA Vice President Susie Colunio reached out with an exciting challenge: Would the Mainsheet Mamas host a brand-new kind of event? Instead of a traditional regatta, she asked if we could organize a day where attendees could take Tampa Yacht and Country Club's crewed boats out for relaxed pleasure sails on Hillsborough Bay. The Mamas quickly said yes! To build a fun and varied fleet, we made two Flying Scots, four 420s, and six Zests available. We also invited the Dinghy Dames to sail their three Capris down the bay so they could be shared as well. With the plan in place, sign-ups poured in - over fifty FWSA members registered! The morning was divided into three 45 minute sailing blocks, accommodating up to thirty seven sailors per session. Crewed boats with assigned skippers rotated out of the basin and onto the bay giving everyone a chance to try something new. The wind delivered some unexpected excitement early in the day - stronger gusts encouraged a few participants to sit out the first block. Fortunately, by the final sessions the breeze had settled into perfect conditions, rewarding those who waited. Once everyone returned to shore, guests headed to a festive lunch under a poolside tent where complimentary mimosas awaited. After the buffet opened, the raffle began. Carroll McClain provided a wonderful assortment of sailing gadgets and trinkets which delighted the lucky ticket holders. Following the event, our inboxes overflowed with enthusiastic messages. Here are just a few of the exerpts: "The first-ever Crewed Boat Extravaganza was an amazing success. I've never seen so many smiles - or so much animated lunch chatter - about the boats people tried and the adventures they had. The high winds added excitement to the whole day." " Your organization was flawless... The luncheon, homemade treats, prizes and mimosas were just icing on the cake." "As someone who regularly enjoys crewed boats, I loved yesterday's event SO MUCH! It was fantastic seeing so many people participating and having fun." "As a new sailor it was absolutely fantastic to try different boats and learn from such experienced sailors. A perfect day!" "The little pound cakes with the orange ribbon were delicious! I'd love the recipe." "Again, FWSA knocked it out of the park. Lassies had the greatest day and so much fun sailing with the other clubs!" :) " Thank you Mainsheet Mamas! So organized, fun boats, beautiful weather, yummy lunch. Do it again!" " Mixing crews and skippers from different clubs was brilliant. And huge thanks to the Dinghy Dames for sailing Capris over from Davis Island!" " This is my first event with so many women sailing enthusiasts. The camaraderie, sportsmanship, and shared love of nature and adventure were inspiring. Missy, you were fantastic in hosting us!" While this may not become an annual FWSA event, the Mainsheet Mamas truly loved hosting our sister sailors - and we look forward to organizing something similar again in the future! Mainsheet Mama's start preparing for the day as the sun rises Edited by Marge Whiteman

By: Marti Cochran and Dee Gill Fifty four sailors and a dozen participants signed up for the Dinghy Dames Friendsgiving Regatta, held on November 11, 2025, making it one of the largest of the FWSA's Interclub events held this year. Even though a polar vortex scuttled racing, the Dames did not disappoint. The kick off barbecure, originally scheduled at the Davis Island Point, was moved indoors due to the cold temperature and high wind. Last minute hostess Jen Holmburg welcomed 30 guests to her home the night before the event for grilled hot dogs, homemade chili, cole slaw, baked beans, cowboy caviar and more. Her mulled cider warmed and fortified sailors for racing the following day. The following morning, sailors woke to a temperature of 37 degrees and wind gusts to 32 knots. Bundled volunteers greeted the forty sunfish sailors and fourteen pram sailors expected to race at the gate to Davis Island Yacht Club. They then shuttled them to the club where they checked in and took in the breakfast spread. While everyone waited for safer temperatures and wind speed, the Dames produced a solid education program in the clubhouse. Gail Heausler, Dinghy Dame and six time Women's North American Sunfish Champion discussed winning the start and heading up the course. Cameron Smith, Tampa Yacht Club Sailing Director and DIYC member, described downwind tactics and boat handling, Luffing Lassie Lisa Ehrhart displayed and explained a tote bag full of sailing gear for all conditions including cold weather sailing and Dinghy Dame Emily Wagner described some of the latest boat equipment including the double purchase mainsheet. A large contingent of race committee, dolly helpers and other volunteers remained ready all morning. At 11:10 am with the air temperature still below 48 degrees, a real feel temperature of 35 degrees and a water temperature of 70 degrees, PRO Missy Weiner made the call to cancel sailing. Lunch, Davis Island Yacht Club's signature harvest salad buffet and soup were served soon after. Organizing a regatta requires a huge amount of work involving many hours of planning, recruiting and preparation. A big thanks to Jen Holmburg, Dinghy Dames Interclub Chair, Missy Weiner, PRO for the event, and the dozens of Dinghy Dames volunteers. Their work, including developing an amazing back up plan, made sailors feel like it was well worth the trip even without splashing our boats. Dinghy Dame Gail Heausler discusses winning the start and heading up the course Tampa Yacht Club Sailing Director Cameron Smith described downwind tactics and boat handling Luffing Lassie Lisa Ehrhart demonstrates sailing gear Davis Island Yacht Club 's Harvest lunch buffet Edited by Marge Whiteman

The Venice Youth Boating Association's support boat, adorned with a whimsical rubber ducky figurehead, is skillfully navigated by Beth Anderson of the Bitter Ends accompanied by crew member Chansi Harrow, Dinghy Dames and Bitter Ends volunteer Brian Acampa. The Florida Women’s Sailing Association (FWSA) kicked off the sailing season on October 8th with a FUN Sail at their southernmost club, the Bitter Ends of Venice. Sailors, kayakers and paddleboarders took to the water to have fun participating in on-water games, followed by lunch at Nokomo’s on Dona Bay in Nokomis, FL. FWSA members from the Tampa Mainsheet Mamas, the Davis Island Dinghy Dames and the Sarasota Luffing Lassies joined the Venice Bitter Ends to participate in the event. A 4-car accident on I75 significantly slowed travel for some, but everyone continued to trek on vs. turning around. The winds were just a bit higher than had been hoped for but that didn’t dissuade the ladies from taking to the waterways. The boaters launched from Higel Park accompanied by two support boats. Once they reached Roberts Bay, a giant rubber ducky float was released. The goal was for sailors to grab the duck, tie it onto their boat in any manner possible, and then sail with the duck for five minutes. This task proved to be challenging. Grabbing the duck was the easy part. Tying the duck onto the boat and then tacking in high winds tended to be problematic. The duck created quite a drag and at times seemed like it would nosedive into the water. Sandy Vaughan from the Venice Bitter Ends expertly sails downwind with the giant rubber duck in tow. Game two involved Skip Discs that are shaped like Frisbee’s but made from a rubbery substance so they can be skipped across the water. The goal with this game was to pick up the disc skipped by the support boat and then skip it back. Everyone received points for their skill in retrieving the disc, and accuracy of skipping it back to the boat. Extra points were awarded for skip style. After playing on Roberts Bay for 45 minutes, everyone headed over to Dona Bay. Once there, the support boats released one hundred little rubber ducks for the sailors, kayakers and paddleboarders to retrieve. Each duck had a point count printed on the bottom and prizes were awarded for high and low points. This task proved easier for the kayakers since they could paddle to a spot and just start picking up ducks. The sailors had to tack back and forth often since once they picked up a duck, they sailed past all the other floating ducks due to the high winds. Two capsizes occurred during this game. In a tandem kayak, Mainsheet Mamas Missy Weiner and Tiffany Demarcay leaned a little too far when picking up some ducks. Bitter Ends sailor, Ann Carroll, capsized when she picked up a duck and then was quickly upon the support boat that was still in the vicinity. She did a quick tack to avoid hitting the boat and then went over. Luckily the water is still nice and warm, and both support boats were close at hand to aid the kayakers and sailor to get back aboard. Once all the little ducks were picked up, everyone headed to Nokomo’s Sunset Hut on Dona Bay to enjoy lunch. Some of the kayakers who chose not to go out on the water arrived early to help kayakers and sailors tie up and climb out of their boats. The event had been planned for a high tide day so the climb up to the dock wasn’t too arduous from the low boats. Nokomo’s General Manager, Meghan Richards, arranged for the sailing group to have the entire downstairs of Nokomo’s and the staff did an amazing job serving food and drinks to all. After everyone ordered, the group played one more game appropriately named “Sunfish Bingo” after the boats being sailed. Players were given regular bingo cards, but the markers were miniature 3D printed Sunfish logos. The game was a hit with everyone. Soap ducks were awarded as prizes, along with handmade clutch purses made by Bitter Ends sailor and seamstress extraordinaire, Jill Joos. The bonus for the day was drone footage of the activities provided by local photographer, Jon Geegan from On The Fly. His videos captured the beauty of the day and the gorgeous setting of Roberts and Dona Bay against the backdrop of Venice Island and the Gulf. It was a treat to see how the sailboats looked from on high. At the end of the day, sailor Diane Fairey from the Sarasota Luffing Lassies wrote thanking the Bitter Ends for a fantastic day on the water. “From helping launch boats early in the morning to docking smoothly at Nokomo’s Sunset Hut, the teamwork and support from the [Bitter Ends], Lassie sailors [and other FWSA members] made everything flow with ease. There’s nothing like the power of community and kindness to turn a day of sailing into something truly special.” She noted that “all moments were filled with laughter, friendly competition, and joy.” Many veteran FWSA members joined in just for lunch and they shared sailing stories that brought an extra layer of meaning to the day. Diane summed the day up best when she said, “Being out there together reminded me why sailing with this crew is so much more than a sport — it’s a sisterhood, a celebration, and a place where every woman, new or experienced, is welcomed with open arms.” After a difficult season last year when most of the FWSA club regattas were cancelled due to hurricane damage, the Florida Women’s Sailing Association is looking forward to a season of many fun, competitive events. The Florida Women’s Sailing Association was founded in 1973 and the Bitter Ends, along with ten other member clubs, compete in Sunfish, Optis, Club 420’s and Ideal 18’s racing once a week at their respective clubs. The Bitter Ends sail out of Higel Park and the facilities of the Venice Youth Boating Association at Venice Yacht Club. They race on Wednesday mornings from September through May. Membership is open to the public for women who have experience in sailing. Information about club requirements can be found at www.bitterendsvenice.com . Written by; Pam Miller, Bitter Ends, FWSA President The FWSA winners proudly display winnings and the rubber ducks they captured on the water. Pictured are the Mainsheet Mama Carroll McClain, Luffing Lassie Susan St.John, Bitter Ends Jull Joos, Dinghy Dame Susie Colunio, Mainsheet Mamas Missy Weiner and Tiffany Demarcay., Bitter Ends Ann Carroll, and kneeling Lassie Diane Fairey The kayakers tried to stay clear of the much larger Sunfish sailboats. Pictured from left are: Mainsheet Mamas (MM) Missy Weiner and Tiffany Demarcay in a tandem kayak, MM Carroll McClain, Dinghy Dame Susie Colunio, and MM Julie Sargent. Sailors enjoying Dona Bay and the beauty of sailing in Venice, FL. Luffing Lassie Jennifer Means paddles home; she was the lone paddleboarder of the day and paddled quite a distance to get to the event. The FWSA sailors and kayakers tied up at Nokomo’s convenient dock for a delicious lunch. The support boat's volunteer, Brian Acampa, jumped in the water to aid sailor Ann Carroll right her capsized boat. Amazing panoramic view of sailors on Dona Bay with Roberts Bay in the background and the Gulf in the distance. Ann Carroll of the Bitter Ends gives BE Anchor member Lynn Paul a ride back to Higel Park. Lynn was the Bitter Ends sailor that first introduced Ann to a Sunfish. Pam Miller, 2025-26 FWSA President, sails home smiling and celebrating the successful kickoff of the FWSA season. Drone footage by Jon Geegan from On The Fly.

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. Registration: Juliette Clark, Rhonda Whitehead, KT Trudeau, Gloria Davis Breakfast Mingle: Diane Fairey (LL), Sandy Kastorff (BE) Bonnie Sevier (DD), Jill Bridges (SS) FWSA President Pam Miller Tampa Bay Watch Peter Grant Tampa Bay Watch Peter Grant