On the Water: March
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On the Water: March Contents
Summer Camp 2026
Camp Registration is OPEN!!!
Summer Camp registration is now open at Fort Worth Boat Club, and we’re excited to welcome another season of young sailors to the water on Eagle Mountain Lake.
FWBC offers programs for ages 4–15 with options for every experience level. Little Dogies Camp (ages 4–7) introduces our youngest campers to lake life through sailing, paddling, swimming, crafts, and games in a fun half-day format (9:00 AM–12:00 PM). Full-day camps (9:00 AM–4:00 PM) for ages 8–15 include one-week Learn to Sail sessions, two-week Beginner and Intermediate Race Team Camps for skill progression and racing development, and Adventure Camp for campers who want a variety of outdoor lake activities.
New this year, our Beginner and Intermediate Junior Race Team Camps provide a structured pathway for sailors who are ready to move beyond introductory skills. Offered in two-week sessions, these camps focus on boat handling, racing fundamentals, tactical awareness, and on-the-water decision-making in a supportive training environment. The goal is to help sailors build confidence, improve consistency, and develop the foundation needed for participation in junior racing at FWBC.
Whether learning the basics or building toward competition, summer camp offers a supportive environment for kids to grow their confidence, skills, and love for being on the water. We look forward to another great summer season on the lake.
To see the camp schedule, FAQs, and registration info, visit our website!
Club Racing
PHRF Weekend Racing Series
The Sunday PHRF fleet has carried strong momentum into late winter at Fort Worth Boat Club. The Roadie Series is now underway, with excellent turnout and competitive racing across the fleet. Consistent participation and close finishes have made for an energetic start to the season, setting a positive tone as conditions continue to improve heading into spring.
Eau La La and Beauty are currently tied for first place with 6 points each after four races in the series, with Skyfall and Blue Flash close behind, both with 8 points. The tight standings reflect the depth of competition and strong performance across the fleet. There are four more weekends of racing in the Roadie Series, so come on out to see the action right off the shores of the club.
Looking ahead, the Hub Isaaks Series is set to begin on March 29. With growing participation and enthusiasm on the starting line, club racing is shaping up for an active and engaging season on the water.
PHRF Sunday Series Dates
Date | Race Series | PRO |
|---|---|---|
March 1 | Roadie 3 | Glenn Darden |
March 8 | Roadie 4 | Bryan Dyer |
March 15 | Roadie 5 | Parker Younger |
March 22 | Roadie 6 | Mark Hatten & Mike Schwinn |
March 29 | Hub Issaks 1 | Craig Johnson |
April 12 | Hub Issaks 2 | Jeff Keller |
April 26 | Hub Issaks 3 | Martin Peacey |
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).
J/22 Spring Series Kicks Off!!!
The J/22 fleet is preparing to launch the spring racing season at the Fort Worth Boat Club. A fleet workday on March 4 will focus on rigging, maintenance, and final preparations to ensure boats and equipment are ready for competitive racing. The Spring Series officially begins on Wednesday, March 11, marking the return of weeknight racing and a great opportunity for sailors to shake off the winter and build early-season momentum. The weather may be warming up, but the water is still cold. Check out last month's Coaches' Chalktalk to see how to gear up for winter sailing.
Wednesday Night J22 Spring Series Dates
March 4 - Work Day
March 11 - Races 1 & 2
March 18 - Races 3 & 4
March 25 - Races 5 & 6
April 1 - Races 7 & 8
April 8 - Races 9 & 10
April 15 - Races 11 & 12
April 22 - Races 13 & 14
Youth Sailing
Junior Team Travel and Season Preparation
The Junior Team continues to build steady momentum as the TSA season approaches, with sailors making the most of winter training and early travel opportunities. Earlier this month, seven Opti sailors represented Fort Worth Boat Club at the Pan PepÃn International Dinghy Regatta in Puerto Rico. Competing against a deep international fleet and navigating challenging conditions, including large ocean swells, the team gained valuable big-water experience, strengthened their race awareness, and returned home with increased confidence and perspective.
Next for the junior team, seven ILCA sailors will travel to Sarasota, Florida, to compete in the ILCA Gulf Coast Championships. These early-season regattas are helping establish a strong competitive rhythm while reinforcing the team’s focus on preparation, adaptability, and continuous improvement. With growing experience, focused training, and an enthusiastic group of sailors, the foundation being built now positions the team well for an exciting and competitive season ahead.
Upcoming Junior Race Team Events
Date | Regatta/Clinic | Location |
Feb 28 - Mar. 1 | ILCA Gulf Coast Championships | Sarasota, FL |
Mar. 28-29 | TSA Roadrunner Regatta | Austin, TX |
Apr. 18-19 | FWBC Annual Regatta | Fort Worth, TX |
May 2-3 | TSA Grapevine Grand Prix Regatta | Grapevine, TX |
May 22-24 | ILCA US Championships | Corpus Christi, TX |
High Performance ILCA Training Clinics
In addition to the spring regattas, Fort Worth Boat Club will host ILCA High Performance Clinics on March 7–8 and April 25–26. These sessions will feature guest coaches Alex Dyet and Ryan Minth, providing sailors with advanced technical instruction, race strategy development, and focused on-the-water training. The clinics offer a valuable opportunity for ILCA sailors to sharpen their skills and continue building speed and consistency heading into the heart of the season. These weekends are open to all ILCA sailors. Email Juan Carlos Romero (sailingdirector@fwbc.com) to secure your spot!
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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High School Sailing competes in NOLA!
The Nolan Catholic Viking Sailing Team (Capt. Lilly Moody, Penelope Potter, Brigid Valenti, and Maddy Stover) traveled to New Orleans the weekend of Feb. 6-8 to participate in the All-Girls Catholic Regatta hosted by the Ursuline Academy. This was our fourth year to be invited and to attend. There were ten teams, seventeen boats, and thirty-four sailors from across the country. The weekend was filled with sailing on Lake Pontchartrain, a crawfish boil, and a Mardi Gras Parade. Â Our ladies sailed hard and made a lot of new friends.
Our High School Sailing Team starts up practices in March! If you are interested, check out our website for all of our Youth Sailing Team Programs.
Upcoming Regattas
Race of Champions - March 14 & 15
The TSA Race of Champions Regatta will be hosted at Fort Worth Boat Club on March 14–15. This unique event is a highlight of the Texas Sailing Circuit, bringing together top junior sailors from each fleet to form teams that are paired with a Texas sailing legend. The format creates a special blend of mentorship, teamwork, and high-level competition that continues to make this regatta a meaningful tradition within the sailing community here in Texas.
Past Legends have included Fred Meno, Bryan Dyer, Glenn Darden, Charlotte Rose, Jeff Proglehof, Rod Favela, and Bill Draheim, among many others.
Racing will take place in J/22s, providing a competitive yet team-focused platform for sailors to apply their skills and learn from experienced leaders. Representing FWBC as skippers this year are Evie Hyland, Christian Lopez, and Finn Messner. The weekend promises a strong mix of learning, camaraderie, and spirited racing on the water.
Regatta Chairs: Michael and Nettie Younger
Annual Regatta and Cowtown Stampede - April 18 & 19
The FWBC Annual Regatta and Cowtown Stampede marks an exciting start to the racing season at Fort Worth Boat Club, bringing together a wide range of sailors and fleets for a full weekend of competition on Eagle Mountain Lake. The event serves as a stop on the J/24 Texas Circuit, drawing competitive circuit racers alongside club racers and visiting teams.
Racing will include J/24 class competition, PHRF fleet racing, and Portsmouth dinghy racing, creating a dynamic regatta environment that showcases everything from big boats to singlehanded dinghies. With strong participation expected across fleets, the Annual Regatta and Cowtown Stampede continues to highlight the depth of racing at FWBC while setting a positive and competitive tone for the season ahead.
We extend our sincere thanks to our event sponsors for their support of the FWBC Annual Regatta and Cowtown Stampede and the sailing community at Fort Worth Boat Club: Lakeview Boating Center, U.S. Boat Haulers, American National Bank & Trust, Whitley Penn, and State Farm - Linda Allen. Their partnership helps make this event possible and supports a strong start to the racing season.
FWBC Sailors Representing Abroad
In February, Glenn Darden and his crew won the J/22 Midwinter Championship at St. Petersburg Yacht Club as part of the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series. Racing on Tampa Bay in a wide range of conditions, Darden’s team aboard Baby Doll delivered a standout performance, finishing the series with scores of 7-1-2-1 to secure the championship title.
Also racing, Alex Schwinn and his crew aboard Tilt finished 5th in a competitive fleet. Congratulations to both teams for an outstanding showing and strong representation on the national stage.
Coaches’ Chalktalk
Simple tips to sail smarter and sail faster
Sailing Terminology: Learn to speak the language of sailing!
Sailing comes with its own vocabulary, and if you’re new to the sport, it can sometimes sound like sailors are speaking a different language. Learning a few basic terms helps sailors communicate clearly on the water and helps everyone better understand what’s happening during practice and races.
Here are some of the most common words you’ll hear on the docks or out on the water:
Bow — The front of the boat.
Stern — The back of the boat.
Port — The left side of the boat when you are facing forward.
Starboard — The right side of the boat when you are facing forward.
*These terms are universal, so sailors always know which side is which.
Windward — Used in relation to the wind. Closest to the wind.
Leeward — Used in relation to the wind. Further from the wind.
Mainsail — The large primary sail attached to the mast and boom.
Jib — The smaller sail at the front of the boat.
Spinnaker — A large, lightweight sail used when sailing downwind.
Rudder — The underwater blade at the stern of the boat used for steering. It works by redirecting water flow as the boat moves forward, allowing the skipper to steer.
Keel — The underwater fin at the center of the boat that provides stability and helps prevent the boat from sliding sideways.
*The keel on a J/105 weighs about 3,400 lbs, while a J/22 keel weighs about 700 lbs.
Line — What sailors call a rope on a boat. Each line has a specific job.
Halyard — A line used to raise or lower a sail.
Sheet — A line used to control the angle of a sail.
Tack — Turning the bow of the boat through the wind so the wind switches from one side of the boat to the other.
Jibe (Gybe) — Turning the stern of the boat through the wind, causing the sail to swing across the boat.
Points of Sail — The different directions a boat can travel relative to the wind, from sailing upwind to sailing downwind.
Head to wind/In Irons (No Go Zone)— The area directly into the wind (about 30–45 degrees on either side of the wind’s direction) where a sailboat cannot sail efficiently. If a boat points into this zone, the sails will luff, and the boat will slow or stop.
Luffing — When a sail flaps or loses its shape because it is not trimmed properly for the wind, or the boat is pointed too close to the wind.
Heeling — When the boat leans over because of wind pressure on the sails. A little heel is normal; managing it well helps the boat stay fast and balanced.
Sailing becomes much more approachable once the language feels familiar. You’ll hear these terms regularly during practices, races, and even from the dock from coaches, sailors, and skippers. The more comfortable you become with this shared language, the more confidently you can communicate and make decisions on the water.
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