Nearly 200 sailors, both junior and senior, competed in the annual Dutch Shoe Marathon (DSM) today. This iconic regatta begins at the San Diego Yacht Club and finishes at the Coronado Yacht Club, a trek that for most junior sailors is their longest distance race yet. This year marks the 47th annual running of this Southern California right-of-passage.

Mission Bay Yacht Club’s Paige Tillson, 11, (C Fleet) came in first with a solid lead throughout the entirety of the race. Behind Tillson in second place was Siena Nichols (C Fleet) of Balboa Yacht Club, who pulled into the position in the second half of the race. Battling hand in hand with Nichols was Caleb Everett (C Fleet) of Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. The three were able to hold their position in the front of the fleet right from the start.

When asked how it felt to win the Dutch Shoe Marathon, Tillson answered, “It’s exciting, but I’m also really tired.”

The Dutch Shoe Marathon, summer’s iconic San Diego Yacht Club and Coronado Yacht Club tradition, calls locals and tourists to watch or partake in a day of Sabot sailing on July 19, 2019. Over 150 of both junior and senior sailors from Southern California yacht clubs race from SDYC to Coronado Yacht Club, a distance longer than many juniors will sail throughout the summer.

Junior Sailing Head Coach Molly Pleskus comments on the regatta. “The Dutch Shoe Marathon is a race for everyone. The high level, young and old racers looking to cross the line first, adults wanting to get back in a sabot for a bay cruise, and kids stocked up on candy for fun Friday sail. The Dutch shoe brings out new sailors and old for a fun and rewarding sailing tradition!”

The Sign up sheet for the JCAT 8/18 is now at the front desk at the SDYC. The Junior Coastal Anglers Tournament (JCAT) is usually meant for our SDYC Junior Anglers ages 8 and up who are able to bait their own hooks and cast independently. This is a TOURNAMENT with trophies and prizes in different categories so the kids are expected to fish 100% on their own! The JCAT is a 3/4 day trip on the Sea Watch out of Seaforth Sportfishing on Quivira Road. (7am-5pm) The charter is free of charge, however rod rentals are $25 per person, there is a charge for galley food, and you are expected to TIP the deckhands.

Lowell North, a true legend in the world of sailing, has left us for fair winds and good sailing up above, but what North built and left will always be. 

Lowell Orton North, born on December 2, 1929, in Springfield, Missouri, passed away today, but will always be remembered for his competitive successes and for creating the North Sails empire from just a little loft in San Diego in 1957.  The loft was positioned on what is now referred to as the “North lot” where the dry storage is currently at SDYC.

From the beginning, his was a scientific approach. As an aeronautic/aerospace engineer, was among the very first sail makers to embrace computer modeling. He hired other champion sailors (“tigers”) to demonstrate and sell his products. Lowell’s innovation, creativity and spirit is what has shaped his business into the successful company that it remains to be today.

On the water, Lowell was renowned for his results in the Star Class, he medaled in 12 World Championships over 25 years and won gold at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. He also won a bronze medal in the Dragon at the 1964 Tokyo Games. It was during this time that North Sails was first getting off the ground, and Lowell met many people who would become key players in its expansion.

Sail on Lowell North and thank you.

Ships 1992 & SDYC’s youth from Ship 1886 team up and CRUISE TO VICTORY at the 2019 Long Beach Invitational Regatta! The combined team posted the best score of eleven Sea Scout programs and best units from Western Los Angeles County, Orange County, Inland Empire, and even Las Vegas! The Long Beach Invitational is known for its fun, casual atmosphere. The LAMI San Pedro and San Diego Yacht Club Sea Scouts brought their "A game" to win the event!

Over the weekend of February 8th through 10th, Saint Pete's Yacht Club hosted the 2019 Valentine's Day Regatta. This regatta brings Opti and Laser sailors from all over the country. Since I was the front runner in the Luff-In Series, I was selected to represent SDYC for the Saint Pete's Exchange and go sail Opti's for the weekend down in Florida.

Over February 16-18, my skipper Jack Egan and I traveled to Jensen Beach Florida to compete in the 2019 C420 Midwinters. Although we had traveled to Florida twice before for Orange Bowl, we had never sailed Midwinters before, and were eager to sail a new event.

This year the US Sailing Center Martin County would be the hosts for C420 Midwinters East. 103 boats congregated in Jensen Beach for this event from February 16th to the 18th. I met up with my crew, Ximena Escobar, at the San Diego airport on Thursday. We had one full day of travel and one full day of practice with the coaches in Florida. Orlando greeted us with warm weather as we left the rain behind in San Diego. The weather would hover around 80 degrees and 70% humidity the entire weekend.