On the Water: May
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- 11 min read
On the Water: May Contents
Graduating Senior Sailors
As the school year comes to a close, we want to recognize our graduating senior sailors for their hard work, dedication, and contributions to the junior program over the years. We are proud of all they have accomplished both on and off the water and look forward to seeing what comes next for them!
Pressley Massey
Pressley Massey began his sailing career at eight years old at FWBC's Summer Camp. His passion for sailing and competitive spirit have remained a key driver, resulting in winning the 2022 TSA ILCA Circuit, competing in the 2025 US Youth Match Racing Competition for The Rose Cup, and racing in the 2025 Long Beach Olympic Class Regatta. Pressley will continue his sailing journey with the Cal-Poly Maritime Academy Dinghy Race Team this fall.
Christian Lopez
Hi, my name is Christian Lopez. I started sailing at FWBC on the Nolan Catholic High School sailing team, and after a couple of years, I switched to sailing ILCA on the junior team. Over time, I got a lot more comfortable on the water and really started to enjoy the competitive side of sailing. I also worked at summer camps as a camp counselor, which was a great experience getting to help younger sailors learn. FWBC has been a big part of my life and taught me a lot about discipline and teamwork. After I graduate, I’m planning to join the Marine Corps, and I’m looking forward to what’s next.
Lilyana Moody
I joined the FWBC junior sailing team in February 2021 as a green fleet Opti sailor. I joined the junior laser team for a couple of years but changed that to focus more or the NCHS Viking team that sails out of FWBC. Two years ago, I got an opportunity to have a private lesson with a coach down in Corpus Christi. The private lesson with him helped lead me to choose TAMU-CC, where he is the head coach. I plan on sailing for the TAMU-CC team while I pursue a bachelor’s degree in biology.
Carter Anderson
Hi, my name is Carter and I’m a graduating sailor from Carroll Senior High School. Here at FWBC, I sailed for my first time ever in the spring of my sophomore year. I’ve sailed FJs in the high school program and have absolutely loved it! I’m really grateful to the coaches and my peers for helping me improve so much as a sailor. This year, I was the captain of the Carroll Sailing Team. After graduation, I will be attending the University of Oklahoma where I will join the OU Sailing Club. Boomer Sooner!
Summer Camp season is almost here at Fort Worth Boat Club, and the countdown to summer on Eagle Mountain Lake is officially on. With June just around the corner, sessions are beginning to fill and preparations are in full swing for another fun and active season on the water.
FWBC offers camp programs for ages 4–15, with options designed for every level of experience. Little Dogies Camp (ages 4–7) is a great introduction to sailing and lake life in a half-day format, while our full-day camps for ages 8–15 include Learn to Sail, Adventure Camp, and our two-week Beginner and Intermediate Race Team Camps for sailors looking to build skills and gain confidence in a racing environment.
As we get closer to the start of camp, our focus is on creating a safe, engaging, and memorable experience for every camper. Whether it’s their first time stepping into a boat or they’re continuing to grow as part of the team, we’re excited to welcome everyone back for another great summer at FWBC.
To see the camp schedule, FAQs, and registration info, visit our website!
Youth Sailing
FWBC Junior Team starts the Youth TSA Season off Strong!!
The FWBC Junior Team has been putting in the work and it’s already showing as they kick off the season with strong results and great energy. After a successful trip to Austin, bringing home both trophies and momentum, the team carried that confidence straight into the Annual Regatta at our home club.
FWBC juniors were well represented across nearly every fleet, with sailors competing in ILCAs, Sunfish, FJs, and even stepping onto the J/24 circuit. It was a full weekend of racing and a great opportunity to showcase the depth of our program while competing on familiar waters. There’s always something special about racing at home, and the team rose to the occasion.
Next up, the juniors head to the TSA Grapevine Grand Prix Regatta at Grapevine Sailing Club. This regatta also serves as the Texas Girls State Championship, where FWBC will be represented by six of our sailors. It’s an exciting opportunity and another great step forward as the season continues to build.
Upcoming Junior Race Team Events
Date | Regatta/Clinic | Location |
May 2-3 | TSA Grapevine Grand Prix Regatta | Grapevine, TX |
May 22-24 | ILCA US Championships | Corpus Christi, TX |
May 30-21 | TSA Texas Corinthian Yacht Club | Kemah, TX |
June 13-14 | TSA Changes in Latitude | Corpus Christi, TX |
June 27-28 | TSA Dust Bowl Regatta | Oklahoma City, OK |
Check out the Junior Race Team page to see the latest program info and calendar. Reach out to the coaches for more info.
Not My 1st Rodeo High Performance Clinic
Want to stay up to date with what the FWBC Junior Sailing Team is up to?
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Club Racing
PHRF Weekend Racing Series
Sunday racing has been doing its best to work around classic spring conditions, shifty winds, passing systems, and the occasional unpredictable day on the water. Despite the challenges, we’ve managed to get three races on the board so far in the Hub Isaacks Series. It’s already shaping up to be a tight competition, with Desperado and Blue Flash currently tied for first in a fleet of six.
The Hub Isaacks Series will continue through May, giving teams a few more chances to break that tie and make their move in the standings. 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 |
|---|---|---|
May 3 | Hub Issaks 4 | Michael Younger |
May 17 | Hub Issaks 5 | David Thornton |
May 31 | Hub Issaks 6 | Marc Nilsson |
June 6 | Rolling Time 1 | Matt Talton |
June 13 | Rolling Time 2 | Wendy Roach |
June 20 | Rolling Time 3 | Brandon Mabry |
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
The J/22 fleet has carried strong momentum into the late spring season at Fort Worth Boat Club. After a competitive Spring Series, the fleet has rolled straight into the Late Spring Series, and the racing continues to be tight across the board.
One of the highlights of the series continues to be the use of GPS tracking, giving teams the chance to review their races, analyze decisions, and fine-tune performance. It’s a valuable tool that’s helping raise the level of competition across the fleet and making each race an opportunity to improve. Come out to the club a little early on Wednesdays to get some tips and lessons from our sailing coaches.
As we move through May, conditions are settling into a more typical late-spring pattern—warmer temperatures, shifting breeze, and plenty of variety from race to race. Adaptability will continue to be key, as no two race days look exactly the same. With the heat and humidity building, be sure to come prepared, stay hydrated, and set yourself up for a successful day on the water.
The fleet has been showing great consistency and enthusiasm so far, and it’s setting up for a strong finish to the series. If you’ve been thinking about jumping in, now is a great time to get involved and be part of the action.
Wednesday Night J22
Late Spring Series
April 29 - Races 1 & 2
May 6 - Races 3 & 4
May 13 - Races 5 & 6
May 20 - Races 7 & 8
May 27 - Races 9 & 10
June 3 - Races 11 & 12
June 10 - Races 13 & 14
Heatstroke Series
June 17 - Races 1 & 2
June 27 - Races 3 & 4
Regatta Recap
Annual Regatta & Cowtown Stampede - April 18 & 19
The FWBC Annual Regatta & Cowtown Stampede delivered another memorable weekend on Eagle Mountain Lake, bringing together a wide range of fleets and sailors from across the region. From keelboats like the J/105s, J/24s, and J/22s to a strong showing of dinghy classes, including ILCAs, FJs, and Sunfish, the event once again highlighted the depth and energy of the racing community here in Texas.
As anticipated, the weekend came with its share of challenging conditions. Saturday’s forecasted heavy winds and incoming storms kept sailors ashore under postponement for several hours as the race committee waited for safe conditions to get on the water. Patience paid off, and while the day required flexibility, the event stayed on track. Sunday brought a shift to much lighter winds, but the race committee made the most of the conditions and successfully ran races to round out the regatta.
The J/24 fleet’s Cowtown Stampede stop was a highlight of the weekend, drawing strong competition and adding to the overall energy on the course. On the dinghy side, race courses were busy with a full line of ILCA, FJ, and Sunfish sailors, including both junior and adult competitors, creating a dynamic and competitive atmosphere across all fleets.
Despite the weather challenges, the regatta showcased the resilience, adaptability, and enthusiasm of our sailors and volunteers. It was a great weekend of racing and another successful chapter in one of FWBC’s signature events.
Annual Regatta & Cowtown Stampede Results
J/105
1st - Eau La La
2nd - Amor Azul
3rd - Desperado
J/24
1st - LOL
2nd - Mr. Happy
3rd - Miss Conduct
ILCA
1st - Isla Mrstik
2nd - Alex Van Vanten
3rd - Pressley Massey
ISCA 1st - Anne Lancaster
2nd - Raymond Marks
3rd - Duane Hebdige
FJ
1st - Nicolas Gras
2nd - Brigid Valenti
3rd - Penelope Potter
Congratulations to all the competitors who raced, and a big thank you to all the volunteers and race committee for helping FWBC host such a great regatta!
We also want to extend a sincere thank you to our event sponsors, Lakeview Boating Center, U.S. Boat Haulers, American National Bank & Trust, Whitley Penn, and State Farm - Linda Allen. Their continued support plays a vital role in making this event possible and helps strengthen the sailing community here at Fort Worth Boat Club.
Upcoming Events
Spectrum Sailing: May 1-3
This past weekend, Fort Worth Boat Club was proud to host Spectrum Sailing for a special few days on the water from May 1–3. The program provides opportunities for individuals with autism to experience sailing in a supportive, encouraging, and engaging environment.
It was a meaningful weekend filled with learning, connection, and time on Eagle Mountain Lake, and we were grateful to welcome the sailors, families, volunteers, and organizers who made it possible. FWBC is proud to support opportunities that help make sailing more accessible and inclusive for everyone.
Coaches’ Chalktalk
Simple tips to sail smarter and sail faster
Pathways in Sailing
As a sailing coach, part of the job is maintaining and promoting the sport of sailing. From my perspective, sailing is one of the most unique sports because there are endless ways to get involved, learn, and grow, no matter what type of sailor you are, where you are in the world, or how invested you want to be.
One of the best parts of sailing is that there is no single path to being called a “sailor.” Whether you are stepping into a boat for the first time or have been around the water for years, there is always a place for you and a way to stay involved. It is truly a sport for life. Whether you are 8 or 80, there is always a way to get out on the water.
Sailing offers a unique combination of physical activity, problem-solving, and connection with the natural environment. Those elements may evolve depending on the type of sailing, but they never go away. As you grow, your experience changes, and so does your role in the sport.
For many sailors, the journey starts in summer camps. This is where the foundation is built. Sailors learn how to steer, trim sails, and balance the boat, while also gaining confidence and independence on the water. It is a fun and supportive environment, and for many, it is where the connection to sailing really begins.
As those skills grow, some sailors look for a new challenge and move into racing. This is where things begin to shift. It is no longer just about sailing the boat, but sailing it well compared to others. Sailors begin learning strategy, rules, and decision-making on the fly. It can feel like a big step at first, but it is a natural progression for those who want to keep improving. Opportunities to race more regularly often come through club teams, as well as high school and collegiate sailing programs.
As sailors get older, opportunities can open up even more. Some continue racing through club teams or regattas, while others explore different types of boats. Many move from smaller dinghies into keelboats, or branch into distance racing and cruising. Some sailors begin coaching, giving back to the program, and helping newer sailors develop the same skills they once learned.
Sailing exists across a wide range of experiences. It can be fast-paced and competitive or calm and recreational, with everything in between. On the racing side, there are local club racing, regional regattas, national championships, and even the Olympics. There is always a higher level to chase. At the same time, sailing can be as simple as cruising on the weekend, chartering a boat on vacation, or even living aboard and traveling the world.
Not everyone follows the same path, and that is part of what makes sailing special. Some sailors stay competitive, while others prefer to simply enjoy being on the water. Many find a balance between the two, depending on the season or stage of life.
You also do not have to start young. Many people discover sailing as adults and become just as involved, whether through lessons, racing, or sailing with friends. The sport can be as competitive or as relaxed as you want it to be.
The skills learned early on, like teamwork, resilience, and awareness, carry far beyond sailing. They shape how sailors approach challenges both on and off the water.
No matter where you start, sailing is something you can come back to again and again. It is more than just a sport. It is a lifelong community and a lasting passion, with new challenges, new roles, and new experiences always ahead.
At Fort Worth Boat Club, we are proud to be part of the pathway for sailors of all ages. From our summer camps and youth racing team to the club racing and championship regattas we host.
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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