We can not direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.
A state of mind, we as sailors adapt and practice every time we are sailing.
A phrase that kept me sane over the past year.
But as sailors, we also have this:
Even in the worst of times we can appreciate nature’s grace and beauty.
How lucky are we that we had sailing to get us through the highs and lows of 2020?
Despite the challenges, the OCSA Board and I have managed to navigate through unexpected changes in conditions and hold course to create another year of exciting, fun racing on our mighty Columbia River. A big thank you to every Board Member, as well as the Race and Fleet Captains, who came together and spent countless hours working to comply with ever changing guidelines and restrictions to ensure safe conditions for our community.
We will maintain our efforts in 2021. I am honored to help guide our community as the new OCSA Commodore. Going into a new year, I am looking forward to another (and my 6th) year of racing with you, as we strive to stay safe and keep you informed along the way.
Fair winds my fellow racers and let’s hope we will even see each other (from the opposite side of a large table, perhaps?) at our annual Tropical Party!
Lilli M. – OCSA 2021 Commodore
So without further ado, diving right into it…
2021 OCSA Membership is now open!
Every year the OCSA Board puts together the annual OCSA Racebook, with listings of local sailboat racing events and clubs, Notice of Races (NOR), as well as Sailing Instructions (SI) for OCSA sanctioned races, and the OCSA Course Chart. Hard copies of the 2021 OCSA Racebook are now available for $30 at West Marine and North Sails with your OCSA membership. A laminated copy of the Course Chart can be purchased for $2 each at these locations, as well, or download/print them for free on the OCSA website: SailPDX.org
OCSA membership is required for most river racing registration. If you’d rather save a tree (and $10), e-membership with digital 2021 OCSA Racebook is only $20.
– Upcoming Events with Updated Details –
Dave Perry is joining us on Zoom: Friday, March 17th
Session A (for Racers)
9:30pm-2:30pm (with an lunch hour break)
Dave Perry explains the changes in the 2021-2024 Racing Rules of Sailing and answers sailors’ questions on any rule they would like to ask about!
Session B (for Race Officers and Judges)
3:30 pm to 5:30pm
Dave Perry explains the changes in the 2021-2024 Racing Rules of Sailing race officials need to know, and answers race officials’ questions.
Session A $12, Session B $12.
Sign-up details coming soon!
Learn to Race with OWSA, February 10th
Find out more at the 1st OWSA General Meeting of 2021
When: 6:30pm on Zoom (Find the Zoom link on the OWSA Website Calendar)
Meet your new OWSA Racing Board Members who will discuss:
- How to get involved in racing and its benefits
- OWSA’s new “Crew Finder”
- What this years race clinic looks like
- What is dock talk?
- … and more
We hope to see you there!
Registration for SYSCO Race and Education events are live on SailPDX.
Please register early, so SYSCO can gauge fleet participation. SYSCO has created a No-Fly Sails Tuesday Fleet to accommodate short-handed sailing and to also balance Tuesday and Thursday night participation. There may be a Tuesday No-Fly PHRF scoring class if there is enough interest.
SYSCO Fleet Night (via Zoom): Tuesday, February 16th, at 7:00pm.
This event will include a presentation from Kerry Poe and a special musical guest.
Contact commodore@sailocsa.org for the Zoom link.
Earlybird SYSCO membership ends after Feb 18!
Renew your SYSCO membership today
OCSA Race Management clinic: Saturday, Feb 27th, 10 am – 1pm via Zoom.
Everyone is invited to attend this FREE workshop, brought to you by OCSA and hosted by Gregg Bryden. This is a MUST for all race and fleet captains, and volunteer PRO’s (Principle Race Officer) who intend to run races and all others who expect to serve on a Race Committee Boat. Find more information on page 76 of the OCSA Racebook.
For the Zoom link, please e-mail commodore@sailocsa.org
Pacific NW Offshore and other CYC events
The Pacific NW Offshore has been postponed to June 10th-13th and will start in Ilwaco, WA to finish in Port Angeles, WA. More information, including the ‘Offshore Kick-off party’ is to come as the date approaches.
Preparation is key. Here is a fantastic article about the reliance of GPS sent by Bruce Newton.
Due to ongoing restrictions of public gatherings, CYC had made the decision to cancel the annual Pray for Wind event on March 7th, as well as the Chili Cook-Off on March 14th at the conclusionof the annual Sailing on Sundays races.
Sailing on Sundays continues every Sunday through March 14th. Rain or Shine.
I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming events and hope to see you on the Columbia soon.
Fair winds,
Lilli M.
OCSA Commodore 2021
OCSA membership:
For e-membership, click here.
For membership with printed 2021 OCSA Racebook, or to purchase laminated OCSA Course Charts ($2 each):
North Sails
7304 NE Martin Luther King Blvd Portland, OR
(503) 282-4282
West Marine
1176 N Hayden Island Dr Portland, OR
(503) 289-9822
