Category Archives: Announcements

First Sunday Series, Next Training Event Wed

We had a good turn out last night and a good 2 hours of interesting discussion of the racing rules of sailing. Big thanks to Erich for leading the discussion.

This Sunday is our first Spring Series event, the weather is looking to be good so far. As of today its supposed to be warm (high 50F’s) and fairly windy (14mph). Skippers meeting is at 10am. We’ll be grilling dogs and drinking some beers after racing so plan on sticking around afterwards.

This coming Wed will be our next training event. Barney Harris, local sailor, curmudgeon, boat builder and cocker spaniel lover will be leading a discussion Wed the 6th on local knowledge of the Potomac River. Barney has been sailing on the river since at least the mid 1980’s and has numorus International and National championships under his belt. This is an excellent opportunity for you and your crew to learn some of the nuances and local knowledge of the river from a long time (and some what eccentric) local sailor. Same location, Indigo Landing restaurant, same time 7pm. Hope to see you there and on the water Sunday.

Scott

Sailing Season is Starting!

This Wednesday the 30th is going to be our second onshore training
event. Erich Hesse will lead a discussion on racing rules simplified.
Come on out and bring your crew, this is a great opportunity to get up to speed on the rules of racing. This event is open to the public and is free so tell all your friends and co-workers who might be interested.

Then this Sunday April 3rd kicks off our first Spring Series. We will
be having a BBQ social event after sailing. PRSA will supply hot dogs
and beer. Would be nice if we could have some volunteers bring some additional food such as chips/dip, chili, corn bread, potato salad or anything else. So plan on hanging out after racing. Cross your fingers that we’ll have good weather. See you on the water.

Scott

PRSA Party This Saturday November 20th

PRSA Awards Banquet and Annual General Meeting 2010
Saturday November 20
Party Room of the Marina Towers Apartments

$25 per person(same as usual), pay at the door

6:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Directions: From the Washington Sailing Marina, go south on GW parkway towards Alexandria. Stay to the right and take the Slaters Lane exit. (It is the first exit you come to). Turn left onto Slaters Lane from the ramp. This will take you across the parkway. Go through the intersection and past the first buildings and look for the high rise on the left. That is the building. It is only five minutes from the marina.

Go to the Front desk, sign in and ask where the PRSA Party is. They will direct you to the party room.

2010 Presidents / Leukemia Cup NOR

The Presidents Cup is coming up next week! Wow, what happened to the summer? It flew by, and here we are ready to kick off the Falls series with the annual Presidents Cup Regatta. I sure hope everyone is planning to attend. Its also that time to raise money and awareness for the Leukemia Society, so get out there and find some donations! 🙂 Anyway, I am a little late getting the NOR up on the site, but better late than never! See the NOR after the break:

Continue reading 2010 Presidents / Leukemia Cup NOR

President’s/Leukemia Cup Regatta

Calling all skippers, crew, and PRSA members and CBYRA sailing clubs of past, present, and future!!!

On behalf of the Potomac River Sailing Association (PRSA), I’m pleased to invite everyone and inform all classes that the President’s Cup and Leukemia Cup Regatta is right around the corner. Do you have your crew lined up yet? Have you registered yet? Have you been practicing so that you can win this PRSA signature event? Make sure you don’t miss out—block September 11-12 on your calendar today! Typical nominal entry fees are required but support of the Leukemia Society is encouraged. On Saturday after sailing, Terry Hutchison of Olympic fame will speak.

This regatta will also be a celebration of PRSA’s 75th anniversary (1935). How do sailors celebrate? We throw parties, and the PRSA 75th anniversary party will be even bigger than normal. In addition to the always excellent Leukemia Cup Regatta party following sailing Saturday night, we’ll also have a party after sailing on Sunday–which will be a Cajun feast of grilled sausages, muffuletta pasta, red beans and rice (both meat & veggie versions), and sides—as well as a keg, soda, and water before the trophy presentation. Rumor has it we’ll also have a classic rock cover band Sunday night. Sounds like a great time to me!

Even if you can’t sail in the regatta (though no excuses are good excuses), at least don’t miss the Saturday party and Sunday PRSA birthday party!

Click here for registration info:

http://www.potomacriversailing.org/PresidentsLeukemiaCups/

Message From Our Commodore

Dear PRSA sailors,

PRSA urgently requests your membership renewals. As of July 2010 we are 26 paid members short of July 2009’s paid membership. What this means: For the year starting January we have spent exactly what we have collected. Last year at this time, we had $1,500.00 cash on hand in the operating budget for the upcoming fall 2009 expenses. At the moment we do not have the money in our operating budget for fall 2010 slip fee renewal, fuel and routine boat maintenance. Our expenses for this year have not changed dramatically, so our income issue is definitely membership renewals and not any unusual expense.

It is not my intention to sound dire, but this will be a definite warning sign for PRSA if we don’t renew and/or build memberships very soon.

If we receive your dues PRSA will be maintaining status quo. As all of you are aware PRSA’s participation has been slack and new member acquisition is off. Traditionally, we have been able to replace members as fast as they move on. Recently, perhaps due to the country’s economic distress, this has not been the case. So when I say status quo, I mean hanging on, and not depleting our resources until better days return. Better days will return, but probably not by the time our fall expenses come due.

Please renew, and consider the Commodore’s Club for donation (any amount helps). Encourage your crew members to renew or become members, or consider renewing on your their behalf.

Thank you for your attention,

Pat McGee
Commodore

To renew: http://www.potomacriversailing.org/applications/membership/MembershipApplication.php (if you wish to mail your renewal the address is at the end of completing the form)

To check if you’ve paid (the url page is called 2009 but the information is current):
http://www.potomacriversailing.org/2009MembershipDuesPaid.htm

P.S. PRESIDENT’S CUP — More info will come but I would like everyone to sail this President’s Cup Regatta, as it is our 75th annual. If you absolutely cannot race, please try to stop by Sunday for the party. We will officially be celebrating our 75th year at the Sunday President’s Cup Regatta awards gathering. Rumor has it Cajun will be served with the keg.

Sunday, July 4 at Washington Sailing Marina!

The usual July 4th restrictions will be in place, as follows: there will be a police check point at the entrance to the marina beginning early morning on the 4th. Police will search and confiscate any alcohol, fireworks or firearms you may have. NO EXCEPTIONS for slipholders.  Marina staff will set up a second checkpoint around 2 PM. They will be checking for valid parking passes. If you have not picked up your passes for this season please do so before the 4th. If you would like a guest pass please stop by the office. The office is open 9 – 6 seven days a week. Traffic on the Parkway will be a nightmare. If you want a hassle free holiday, show up as early as possible.  As always grilling is prohibited on marina grounds as well as on boats docked at the marina. For questions, contact the marina at wsm@guestservices.com, 703-548-9027.

PRSA Spring Series # 5 Sunday, May 9

UPDATED May 10!  Two days of strong northerly winds had pushed a lot of the tidal Potomac River water south, and that, coupled low tide around noon, made for the lowest water level we have ever seen on the river at the marina. The mud flats adjacent to the airport pier were actually above water; a windsurfer was seen walking his rig upstream in chest-high water in the middle of the channel; the ribs of the sunken wreck were two feet above the water surface.  The AccuWeather forecast had called for sunny skies, with winds from the NW at 15 – 20 MPH, and gusts to 25, and they got the sunny skies part right, but the wind turned out to be stronger and gustier than predicted.  Three Lightnings, four Albacores, and two Cats splashed, and RC did set out for Haines point to try to set up a long windward-leeward course as far upriver  as they could, but the strong gusty winds and low water made them change their mind, and racing was canceled at 11:30 AM. 

PRSA Spring Series # 1 Sunday, April 11!

UPDATED 4/11/10 — Today’s AccuWeather Forecast calls for sunny skies, a high temperature of 74 degrees, and winds from the SSW at 6 – 9 MPH. The river flow is slightly below normal for this time of year, at 12,500 CFS (gage height 4.2 ft) and the river water temperature is 62 degrees. First high tide is this morning at 7:09 AM; Low tide will be at 1:42 PM; Second high tide at 7:31 PM.  Take off your winter covers and get ready to race!