On the Water: July
- Jul 13
- 8 min read
On the Water: July Contents
Summer Camp: Spots still available!
Youth Sailing: Junior Girls Sweep OKC Regatta
Club Racing: PHRF, J22, and Dinghy Racing
Coaches' Chalktalk: Staying Cool on the Water
Summer Camp
Summer Is Not Over Yet!
Summer camp has been a great success so far, with the junior area full of sailing, paddling, adventuring, learning, new friendships, and plenty of fun on Eagle Mountain Lake!
While sailing is at the heart of what we do, FWBC Summer Camp is about much more than learning how to steer a boat or tie a knot. Throughout the summer, campers have built confidence, tried new things, worked together, and created lasting memories both on and off the water.
With only a few weeks of camp remaining, the summer is not over yet! There are still plenty of adventures ahead, and we are excited to make the most of every day as we finish another fun and memorable summer at FWBC.
Youth Sailing
FWBC Junior Team Girls Sweep Oklahoma City Regatta
The FWBC Junior Sailing Team traveled to Oklahoma City Boat Club in June for a windy weekend of racing on Lake Hefner. Our junior girls represented FWBC with an outstanding performance, with every sailor bringing home a podium finish!
In the Opti RWB fleet, Evie Hyland delivered a dominant performance, earning 1st place in all five races and securing 1st overall. Ashlyn Josephson also put together a strong and consistent regatta, finishing 3rd overall in the Opti RWB fleet.
The ILCA fleets saw close competition throughout the day. In the ILCA 4 fleet, Sarah Hyland fought hard for the top spot, with the fight for 1st coming down to the fifth and final race. Sarah secured 1st overall by just one point over the second-place sailor. In the ILCA 6 fleet, Isla Mrstik finished 2nd overall after winning a tiebreaker for the podium position.
High winds kept sailors ashore on Sunday, but a full day of great racing on Saturday gave our sailors the opportunity to showcase their endurance, consistency, and determination through five challenging races on Lake Hefner.
Congratulations to Evie, Ashlyn, Sarah, and Isla on an incredible weekend of racing and a full slate of podium finishes!
It has been a busy and successful month for our junior team, but the momentum is only building. With summer practices happening three days a week and more regattas on the calendar, our sailors continue to put in the time, effort, and dedication on the water. We look forward to seeing what the rest of the summer brings!
Upcoming Junior Race Team Events
Date | Regatta/Clinic | Location |
July 20-23 | Not My First Rodeo Clinic: by FWBC | Rockport, TX |
July 25- 26 | TSA Rockin' Rockport (RYC) | Rockport, TX |
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
The Rolling Time Series continues through the summer, with Saturday racing and a 10:00 AM start. The morning schedule gives sailors a chance to enjoy some friendly competition while taking advantage of the cooler part of the day before the afternoon heat sets in.
Following the conclusion of the Rolling Time Series, Weekend Club Racing will take a short break during August before returning on September 13 for the start of the PAKI Series.
There is still time to join us on the racecourse before the summer break! Whether you have been racing throughout the season or are looking for an opportunity to get involved, we would love to see a few more boats on the starting line. Come out, enjoy a summer morning on Eagle Mountain Lake, and join us for another great stretch of Club PHRF Racing!
PHRF Sunday Series Dates
Date | Race Series | PRO |
|---|---|---|
July 11 | Rolling Time 5 | Edwin Youngblood |
July 18 | Rolling Time 6 | Matt Arno |
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! Whether you are a seasoned racer or looking to get more experience on the racecourse, this weekly series is a great opportunity to get out on the water, sharpen your skills, and enjoy some friendly competition.
Racing takes place on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer, with boats heading out after work for a fun and casual evening on the lake. Interested in joining or looking for crew? Reach out to get involved!
Wednesday Night J22
Heatstroke Series
July 1 - Races 5 & 6
July 8 - Races 7 & 8
July 15 - Races 9 & 10
July 22 - Races 11 & 12
July 29 - Races 13 & 14
Fall Series
August 5 - Races 1 & 2
August 12 - Races 3 & 4
August 19 - Races 5 & 6
Thursday Night Dinghy Series
Thursday Night Dinghy Racing is underway, and there is still plenty of time to join us on the water this summer! These casual weekly races are open to sailors of all ages and experience levels looking to sharpen their skills, enjoy some friendly competition, and spend a summer evening sailing on Eagle Mountain Lake.
Whether you sail an Opti, Sunfish, ILCA, FJ, or another dinghy, all sailors are welcome. New to racing? Thursday nights are a great opportunity to build confidence, practice boat handling, learn the basics of racing, and connect with other sailors in a fun and welcoming environment with coaches out on the water to assist and give tips.
The first warning signal is at 6:30 PM on the water, with races continuing until around sunset. Come out for one race or stay for the entire evening, grab your dinghy and crew and join us for Thursday Night Dinghy Racing!
Updates and communications about racing will be shared in the #dinghy-racing Slack channel.
Coaches’ Chalktalk
Simple tips to sail smarter and sail faster
Staying Cool on the Water
Summer is one of the busiest and most exciting times to be on the water. Between summer camps, junior sailing, club racing, and recreational boating, sailors may spend several hours outside during some of the hottest months of the year. While sunny days and warm weather create great opportunities to sail, the combination of heat, sun, wind, and physical activity can take a toll faster than many people realize.
Preparing for hot weather is an important part of being a safe and successful sailor. Staying hydrated, protecting yourself from the sun, and recognizing the signs of heat-related illness can help everyone spend more time enjoying the water.
Hydration Starts Before You Sail
One of the most important parts of preparing for a hot day on the water is staying hydrated. Sailors should begin drinking water before arriving at the club rather than waiting until they feel thirsty. By the time you feel thirsty, your body may already be starting to become dehydrated.
Once on the water, take regular water breaks throughout the day. It can be easy to forget to drink while focusing on sailing, especially during a race or practice. Keeping a reusable water bottle nearby and drinking small amounts regularly is often more effective than trying to drink a large amount all at once.
For longer or especially active days, electrolyte drinks can help replace some of what the body loses through sweat. Water should still be the main source of hydration, but electrolytes may be helpful during extended time in the heat.
Hydration is not only a safety concern. It also affects performance. Even mild dehydration can make it harder to focus, react quickly, solve problems, and make good decisions. Whether you are learning a new skill or deciding when to tack during a race, staying hydrated helps keep both your body and mind ready.
Protect Yourself from the Sun
Being on the water can increase sun exposure because sunlight reflects off the surface of the lake. Wind can also make the temperature feel cooler than it actually is, making it easy to underestimate how much sun and heat your body is experiencing.
Apply sunscreen before heading outside and remember to reapply throughout the day, especially after swimming, sweating, or spending extended time on the water. Hats, sunglasses, lightweight long-sleeve shirts, and other sun-protective clothing can provide additional protection.
Sun protection is not only about avoiding a sunburn at the end of the day. Building good habits early helps protect your skin over many years spent outdoors.
Dress for the Conditions
Choosing the right clothing can make a big difference during hot-weather sailing. Lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying clothing can help sailors stay more comfortable throughout the day. Light-colored clothing may also absorb less heat than darker clothing.
A hat and sunglasses can help protect your face and eyes, while long-sleeve sun shirts provide additional coverage without requiring constant sunscreen application. Sailors should also wear appropriate footwear and a properly fitted life jacket.
While life jackets can feel warm during the summer, they remain an essential part of staying safe on the water and should never be removed simply because of the heat.
Know the Signs of Heat Stress
Sailors, coaches, parents, and boating partners should watch for signs that someone may be struggling with the heat. Early warning signs can include excessive sweating, headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, muscle cramps, unusual fatigue, or difficulty concentrating.
Changes in behavior can also be important. Confusion, irritability, poor decision-making, or suddenly struggling with skills that are normally familiar may be signs that someone needs water, shade, rest, or additional help.
Do not try to simply push through symptoms. Move to a cooler or shaded area, rest, drink fluids, and let a coach, parent, or another responsible adult know how you are feeling. Recognizing the signs early can prevent a minor problem from becoming more serious.
Take Care of Your Crew
Sailing is often a team activity, and looking out for one another is part of good seamanship. Encourage teammates to drink water, help remind younger sailors to reapply sunscreen, and speak up if someone does not seem like themselves.
Sometimes another person notices the effects of heat before the sailor does. Checking in with teammates and communicating honestly can help keep everyone safer.
Coach’s Takeaway
Hot-weather sailing is about preparation. Bring plenty of water, protect yourself from the sun, wear clothing suited for the conditions, and pay attention to what your body is telling you.
The best sailors do more than take care of their boats. They also take care of themselves and the people around them. A little preparation can help everyone stay safe, perform at their best, and enjoy more time on the water throughout the summer.
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
The summer sailing season is in full swing, and it is interesting to see how local sporting activities mirror the broader economic shifts we track at Venture Capital. Balancing time on the water with a pulse on current market developments is essential for staying ahead.