On the Water: August
- Aug 13
- 7 min read
Summer Camp 2026
It was a great summer at Fort Worth Boat Club Summer Sailing Camp! Over the course of eight weeks, we welcomed more than 220 campers to the lake for a summer full of sailing, adventure, and fun. Campers learned new sailing skills, built confidence on the water, made new friends, and created memories that will last well beyond the summer.
Beyond sailing, campers had the chance to explore the trails, try their hand at fishing, and experience all that Eagle Mountain Lake has to offer. From time on the water to adventures on shore, it was a great summer filled with learning, laughter, and plenty of time outside. We are so thankful to all of our campers, families, and staff who helped make this summer such a memorable one!
As we look ahead to next summer, we are already excited to welcome campers back to the lake! Keep an eye on our monthly updates for the latest information about Summer Sailing Camp, including dates, programs, and registration details. Registration for Summer 2027 is expected to open in March 2027, so be sure to check back and get ready for another summer of sailing, adventure, and fun at Fort Worth Boat Club!
Youth Sailing
FWBC's Shiloh Maby races in Sears Cup
Congratulations to Gavin Galway, Caroline Horne, Shiloh Mabry and Clayton Rodick one of two Texas teams representing Area F from LYC, FWBC, and HYC at the 105th Annual US Sailing Chubb Sears Cup Championship, held August 7–10 at Noroton Yacht Club in Darien, Connecticut.
Sixteen teams, made up of 64 of the top junior sailors from across the country, competed over three days of racing on Long Island Sound in Sonar keelboats. Our team finished an impressive 5th overall, with five top-five finishes, including two first-place and two second-place finishes!
Heading into the final day, the team was just six points out of a podium finish. Unfortunately, light winds prevented the final two races from being completed, ending their opportunity to move up in the standings.
Adding to their accomplishments, the team was awarded the Shipshape Award for running a tight ship and taking excellent care of their charter boats.
Congratulations to the entire team on an outstanding performance and representing Texas and Area F so well!
Upcoming Junior Race Team Events
Date | Regatta/Clinic | Location |
Sept 12-13 | TSA Rock the Rock (CSC) | Dallas, TX |
Oct 3-4 | TSA Pirates of the Corinthian (DCYC) | Oak Point, TX |
Oct 24-25 | TSA Jr. Ol' Man of the Seas & USODA Mid-American Champs (FWBC) | Fort Worth, TX |
Nov. 14-15 | TSA Chocopalooza (RCYC) | Heath, TX |
Check out the Junior Race Team page to see the latest program info and calendar. Reach out to the coaches for more info.
Want to stay up to date with what the FWBC Junior Sailing Team is up to?
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
Club Racing
PHRF Weekend Racing Series
PAKI Series
The PAKI Series returns to the water on September 13! This fall racing series is a great opportunity to get out on Eagle Mountain Lake, compete with fellow sailors, and enjoy some great racing. Whether you are a regular on the racecourse or looking to get more racing experience, we’d love to see you out there for the start of the series. Join us on September 13 and throughout the fall for the PAKI Series!
Plan ahead for a great season on the water by checking out the 2026 club racing calendar on the Club Racing Page. Save the dates and don’t miss a weekend of racing.
You'll also find series registration, the Notice of Race (NOR), and Sailing Instructions (SIs).
Wednesday Night J/22 Series
Wednesday night J/22 racing continues on Eagle Mountain Lake as we head into the fall! With a 6:00 PM start time in September, the fall series is the final series of the J/22 season and a great opportunity to get out on the water, sharpen your racing skills, and enjoy some friendly competition.
Whether you are a seasoned racer or looking to get more experience on the racecourse, come join us for the final stretch of the J/22 season. Interested in joining or looking for crew? Reach out to get involved!
Wednesday Night J22
Fall Series
August 5 - Races 1 & 2
August 12 - Races 3 & 4
August 19 - Races 5 & 6
August 26 - Races 7 & 8
September 2 - Races 9 & 10
(Start @18:00)
September 9 - Races 11 & 12
(Start @ 18:00)
September 16 - Races 13 & 14
(Start @ 18:00)
Coaches’ Chalktalk
Simple tips to sail smarter and sail faster
Regatta Weekends: What Is It Like?
For many new sailors and parents, the first regatta can feel a little overwhelming. Boats are being unloaded, sails going up, coaches giving instructions, and sailors rushing to launch. It may seem like a lot is happening, but every part of the weekend has a purpose.
Before the event, the regatta organizers will publish a Notice of Race (NOR) and Sailing Instructions (SIs). These documents contain important information about the regatta, including the schedule, check-in procedures, racing areas, VHF channels, course information, and the color and shape of marks used on the course. They may also include specific rules and procedures for the event.
All sailors should read the NOR and Sailing Instructions before arriving at the regatta. Knowing what to expect helps sailors arrive prepared and makes the weekend run more smoothly.
Here is a look at what a typical two-day regatta weekend can look like.
Day 1
Arrival and Rigging
The first day usually starts early. Sailors arrive with enough time to unload their boats, rig their equipment, and complete a final check before heading to the water. This includes making sure lines are tied correctly, sails are properly rigged, safety equipment is onboard, and nothing important was forgotten at home.
Learning to rig independently builds responsibility and helps sailors understand their boats before they ever leave the dock.
Check-In and Skipper's Meeting
After checking in, the regatta chairs, Principal Race Officers (PROs), and other race officials meet with competitors for the skipper's meeting.
Race officials review important regatta-specific information, including the Sailing Instructions, racing areas, starting procedures, courses, and other details sailors need to know. It is also an opportunity for competitors to ask questions before racing begins.
Coach's Meeting
Before launching, coaches gather with their sailors to discuss the day's conditions and goals. This may include the weather forecast, expected wind, course strategy, safety reminders, and one or two specific skills to focus on during racing.
Rather than focusing only on winning, sailors often leave the dock with a few simple goals they want to work on throughout the day.
Launching and Racing
Once boats are ready, sailors launch and sail to the racecourse. Depending on the venue, this could be just a few minutes or several miles from shore.
Sailors may use this time to warm up by practicing starts, tacks, jibes, mark roundings, or simply getting comfortable with the day's conditions.
Most regattas include several races throughout the day. Each race provides another opportunity to learn, whether things go exactly as planned or sailors have to adapt to changing conditions.
Back Ashore and Debrief
After racing, sailors return to shore, de-rig their boats, rinse equipment if needed, and secure their boats for the night. Taking care of equipment is an important part of being a good sailor.
Coaches and sailors then gather for a debrief to talk through the day's successes and challenges. What went well? What could be improved? Did a new skill click? Was there a mistake that became a learning opportunity?
The debrief helps sailors understand not just what happened on the water, but why.
Day 2
Day two often looks similar to the first, but it can feel very different. Sailors have already experienced the venue, racecourse, and conditions, giving them an opportunity to apply what they learned on day one.
Morning Preparation
Sailors check their equipment and prepare their boats for another day of racing. This is where the independence developed on day one really starts to show. Sailors should be able to identify what needs to be checked, make minor adjustments, and get themselves ready for the day.
Coaches may also review lessons from the previous day and help sailors set new goals.
More Racing
The second day brings another series of races, but sailors now have more information to work with. They have seen the racecourse, experienced the local conditions, and have a better understanding of how their boat and fleet are performing.
For racers, the second day becomes a test of consistency. Can they make adjustments based on what they learned? Can they recover from a bad race? Can they continue making good decisions when they are tired?
A successful second day is not necessarily about moving up the leaderboard. Sometimes the biggest accomplishment is taking something learned on the first day and executing it better on the second.
Final Race, Back Ashore, and Awards
After the final race, sailors return to shore and begin putting everything away. Boats are de-rigged, equipment is rinsed and packed, and everything is prepared for the trip home.
Many two-day regattas finish with an awards ceremony recognizing top finishers and other accomplishments. While trophies are exciting, they are only one small part of the experience.
Every regatta provides something valuable, whether it is a personal-best start, learning a new skill, making new friends, improving on a mistake from the day before, or simply gaining confidence through another weekend on the water.
Coach's Takeaway
A regatta weekend is about much more than racing. It is an opportunity to challenge yourself, learn from every race, meet sailors from other clubs, and continue growing both on and off the water.
For newer sailors, the first regatta can feel like a lot to take in. There are new boats, new people, new rules, and a lot happening around you. By the end of the weekend, what seemed overwhelming on Saturday morning often feels much more familiar.
Every experienced sailor remembers their first regatta. It may have felt overwhelming at the time, but it was also the beginning of countless lessons, friendships, and memories that kept them coming back to the water.
The goal is not to have a perfect weekend. The goal is to finish the weekend a little more confident and a little better sailor than when you started.
The On the Water monthly update is produced by the sailing coaches at Fort Worth Boat Club. We love highlighting the achievements, adventures, and community moments that make our program special. If you have a story to share or news to celebrate, please send your content and photos to Coach Val at coach@fwbc.com
Missed last month's update? Check it out here.
FWBC Sailing Staff
Juan Carlos Romero - Sailing Director sailingdirector@fwbc.com
Val Herrscher - Head Coach
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