On the Water: June
- Jun 6
- 9 min read
Summer Camp: More Than Just Sailing
As summer camp season gets underway at Fort Worth Boat Club, the junior dock is beginning to fill with the sounds of summer camp. Life jackets zipping, sails flapping, laughter from the pool or lawn, and kids eager to get out on the water.
While sailing is at the heart of what we do, summer camp at FWBC is about much more than learning how to steer a boat or tie a knot. For many campers, it is a place to build confidence, make friendships, try something new, and grow more independent both on and off the water.
Whether it is a young sailor gaining confidence after steering a boat on their own for the first time, campers learning to work together during games and team activities, or catching their first fish, some of the best lessons from camp happen naturally throughout the week.
Every summer, we watch campers return more confident, more capable, and more connected to the lake and the club community. From first-time Little Dogies to experienced race team sailors, each camper’s experience looks a little different, but the goal remains the same: creating a safe, fun, and memorable summer where kids can learn, grow, and enjoy time on the water.
We are excited to welcome both new and returning campers back for another summer at FWBC and look forward to seeing the junior area full of activity in the weeks ahead.
Youth Sailing
FWBC Junior Team travels to the coast for regattas
Our junior team hit the road this month, traveling to the Texas coast for two different regattas and representing Fort Worth Boat Club with hard work, determination, and great sportsmanship.
The ILCA team kicked things off with a trip to Corpus Christi for the U.S. Championship hosted by Corpus Christi Yacht Club. This premier regatta brought together top ILCA sailors from across the country to compete for rankings and qualification opportunities. Representing FWBC were Isla Mrstik, Finn Messner, Shiloh Mabry, Alex Van Zanten, and Sarah Hyland, all of whom sailed hard against tough national competition.
Although the three-day event was impacted by storms and shifting coastal weather, sailors were still able to complete seven races. We are proud of our team for their effort, resilience, and for representing FWBC on a national stage.
The following weekend, part of the team headed farther north on the coast to Kemah for racing at Texas Corinthian Yacht Club. Galveston Bay delivered classic summer conditions with a hot, humid weekend and a steady sea breeze building each afternoon, setting the stage for some excellent racing.
Competing on the RWB Optimist line were Evie Hyland, Sloane Schollhorn, Ashlyn Josephson, and Nicolas Gras. Evie had an impressive weekend, finishing 4th overall in the Optimist fleet and 3rd in Red Fleet. On the ILCA line, Sarah Hyland sailed to a strong 4th-place overall finish. Representing FWBC in Green Fleet, Jordan Schollhorn finished 10th overall and earned several top-three race finishes throughout the weekend.
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 |
June 13-14 | TSA Changes in Latitude | Corpus Christi, TX |
June 27-28 | TSA Dust Bowl Regatta | Oklahoma City, OK |
July 9-12 | Texas Youth Race Week (LYC & HYC) | Houston, TX |
July 20-23 | Not My First Rodeo Clinic: by FWBC | Rockport, TX |
July 25- 26 | TSA Rockin' Rockport | Rockport, 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?
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J22 Learn to Sail Course - June/July
Looking to build confidence on the water or finally learn the basics of sailing? Adult J/22 sailing lessons return this June at Fort Worth Boat Club.
Designed for beginner and intermediate sailors alike, these lessons provide a hands-on introduction to sailing in a fun and supportive environment. Participants will learn the fundamentals of boat handling, sail trim, points of sail, docking, safety, and teamwork while spending time out on Eagle Mountain Lake aboard FWBC’s J/22 fleet.
Whether you are completely new to sailing, looking to refresh old skills, or hoping to become more comfortable crewing during club races, this program is a great way to get involved and spend more time on the water this summer.
Club Racing
PHRF Weekend Racing Series
As we head into June, we’ll transition into the Rolling Time Series, shifting racing to Saturdays with a 10:00 AM start. It’s a great change for the summer months, helping sailors take advantage of cooler mornings while still enjoying a full day on the water.
We’re looking forward to a strong stretch of racing ahead. Whether you’ve been out there every weekend or are thinking about joining in as the season builds, this is a great time to get involved. As the temperatures rise and the fleets settle in, the racing only gets better, and there’s always room for a few more boats on the line.
PHRF Sunday Series Dates
Date | Race Series | PRO |
|---|---|---|
June 6 | Rolling Time 1 | Matt Talton |
June 13 | Rolling Time 2 | Wendy Roach |
June 20 | Rolling Time 3 | Brandon Mabry |
June 27 | Rolling Time 4 | Mark E. Smith |
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 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
Late Spring Series
June 3 - Races 11 & 12
June 10 - Races 13 & 14
Heatstroke Series
June 17 - Races 1 & 2
June 24 - Races 3 & 4
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
Thursday Night Dinghy Series
Starting June 11th, Thursday Night Dinghy Racing is back! This is an open and casual racing opportunity for sailors of all ages and experience levels who want to get out on the water, improve their skills, and enjoy some fun evening racing.
Whether you sail an Opti, Sunfish, ILCA, FJ, or another dinghy, all sailors are welcome to join. New to racing? No problem! Thursday nights are a great way to gain confidence, practice boat handling, and learn from other sailors in a fun and welcoming environment.
Communications about racing will be made on the #dinghy-racing Slack channel.
The first warning signal will be at 6:00 PM on the water, and we’ll continue running races until around sunset. Come out for one race or stay for the whole evening, grab your dinghy and crew, enjoy some friendly competition, and spend a summer evening on the lake!
Coaches’ Chalktalk
Simple tips to sail smarter and sail faster
Right of Way Rules
One of the most important, and sometimes most confusing, parts of sailing is knowing who has the right of way. These rules exist for one main reason: safety. They help prevent collisions, keep boats predictable, and create fair competition on the racecourse. Right-of-way rules should be adhered to anytime you are on the water, no matter the type of boat or if you are sailing or cruising.
For beginners, understanding right of way builds confidence and helps make time on the water feel less overwhelming. For racers, these rules become more than just safety guidelines. They become a strategic tool that helps sailors position themselves, protect lanes, and make smart tactical decisions.
Sailboat vs. Sailboat
When two sailboats meet, a few core rules determine who has rights and who must keep clear.
Starboard Tack vs. Port Tack
This is often the first rule sailors learn.
A boat on starboard tack (wind coming over the right side of the boat) has the right of way over a boat on port tack (wind coming over the left side). If you are on port tack, it is your responsibility to stay clear by tacking away or passing behind the other boat.
This rule becomes especially important on upwind legs and crowded starting lines.
Terminology to know:
Port Tack - A point of sail where the windward side of a boat is the port side.
Starboard Tack - A point of sail where the windward side of a boat is the starboard side.
Windward vs. Leeward
When boats are on the same tack, the leeward boat (the boat farther downwind) has the right of way over the windward boat (the boat farther upwind).
This rule matters because boats sailing close together can impact each other’s wind and speed. Understanding who has rights helps avoid collisions and keeps boats sailing side by side safely.
Terminology to know:
Windward - Towards the wind. When overlapped on the same tack, the boat upwind from the other is the windward boat.
Leeward - Away from the wind. When overlapped on the same tack, the boat downwind from the other is the leeward boat.
Clear Ahead vs. Clear Astern
In general, the boat ahead has rights. A boat approaching from behind must keep clear and avoid interfering with the boat in front.
This becomes important at mark roundings, downwind legs, and crowded areas of the course.
Terminology to know:
Clear Ahead - In the forward position relative to another boat when not overlapped.
Mark Roundings
Marks can become crowded quickly, which makes understanding overlap rules important. In many situations, an inside boat with an overlap is entitled to room at the mark.
Good positioning before reaching the mark often matters just as much as speed.
Terminology to know:
Overlapped - The position where the hull of a boat are ahead of a line abeam from the aftermost point of the other's hull. This also applies when a boat between two boats that would otherwise be clear ahead and clear astern overlaps both.
Zone - The area around a mark with a distance of three hull lengths of the boat nearer to it.
Taking a Penalty Turn
Even experienced sailors make mistakes. Sometimes boats misjudge spacing, break a right-of-way rule, or make contact at a mark. One of the important parts of racing is knowing how to take responsibility and clear yourself properly if you think you broke a rule.
In most racing situations, sailors can “take a penalty” by completing penalty turns as soon as reasonably possible after the incident and staying clear of other boats while doing so. For many youth and dinghy races, this means completing a Two-Turns Penalty, which includes two tacks and two jibes in the same direction.
The goal of a penalty turn is not punishment, but fairness. By taking your turns, you acknowledge the mistake and continue racing without needing a protest hearing later. Most of the time, there is not a judge on the water making sure everyone follows the rules, so taking a penalty when you know you made a mistake is part of the honesty and sportsmanship that makes sailing unique. It is something sailors, from 8 years old to 80 years old, are expected to respect and uphold.
If there is contact that causes damage, injury, or a serious safety issue, sailors should retire from the race and notify race officials.
One of the best habits racers can build is honesty and sportsmanship. Great sailors are not the ones who never make mistakes. They are the ones who recognize them, take responsibility, and keep racing.
Sailboats vs. Powerboats
Outside of racing, sailors also share the water with powerboats, and the rules change slightly.
In general, a sailboat under sail has the right of way over a powerboat. However, if a sailboat is using its engine, it is considered a powerboat and must follow powerboat rules.
Another important rule applies to everyone: the overtaking boat must keep clear, regardless of whether it is sail or power.
Even when you technically have the right of way, it is important to stay predictable and aware. Not everyone on the water understands sailing rules, so good communication and smart decision-making always matter.
Coach's Takeaway
One of the best habits sailors can develop is awareness on the water. Right-of-way rules are important, but avoiding contact is always the top priority. Good sailors know the rules. Great sailors know the rules and make smart decisions before situations become problems.
Whether you are racing or out for a casual sail, the goal is always the same: sail smart, stay safe, and respect others on the water.
FWBC Sailing Department hopes everyone has a safe and enjoyable time on the water this summer season. Whether you are enjoying a sunset sail, club racing, powerboating, paddling, or any other water activity, remember to stay aware, respect others on the water, and most importantly, have fun.
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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