On the Water: September
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
Youth Sailing
As we head into the fall, our youth sailing programs are back in full swing! Whether your sailor is just getting started in racing, looking to compete with their high school team, or ready to train and race year-round, FWBC has a program to help them grow. Our youth sailing programs are designed to meet sailors where they are and give them opportunities to build skills, confidence, friendships, and a lifelong love of sailing.
Junior Race Team
Our Junior Race Team is a year-round program for sailors ages 8–18 who are ready to take their sailing to the next level. Sailors practice and race throughout the year in Optimists and Lasers, developing their boat handling, racing skills, and confidence while competing at local and regional regattas.
Teen Sailing
Teen Sailing is our high school sailing program for students in 7th–12th grade. Sailors compete in double-handed FJs, learning the teamwork, communication, and racing skills that make high school sailing unique. No prior racing experience is required to get started!
Green Fleet
Green Fleet is designed for young sailors ages 8–13 who are ready to develop their sailing skills or make the transition from learning to sail to learning to race. Sailors build confidence, learn the basics of racing, and develop the skills they need to compete in their first regattas in a fun and supportive environment.
Check out our website for current info on the youth sailing programs or reach out to our coaches.
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
Keelboat Racing Series hosted by FWBC
PHRF Weekend Racing
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!
Date | Race | PRO |
Sept. 13 | Paki 1 | Rob Karov & Mike Schwinn |
Sept. 20 | Paki 2 | Jason Dyer |
Sept. 27 | Paki 3 | E. Mark Smith |
Oct. 4 | Paki 4 | Michael Winfrey |
Oct. 18 | Paki 5 | Ben Robbins |
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 Racing
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
September 2 - Races 9 & 10
(Start @18:00)
September 9 - Races 11 & 12
(Start @ 18:00)
September 16 - Races 13 & 14
(Start @ 18:00)
Resolute Cup at NYYC
Team FWBC headed to Newport at the end of the month
Team FWBC is heading to Newport, Rhode Island, for the Resolute Cup at New York Yacht Club, September 28th through October 3rd. Representing FWBC are Chris Holmes, Joey Holmes, Sarah Francis, and Ben Robbins, who will be sailing in Sonars against teams from across the country. With four full days of racing in the waters off Newport, it promises to be an exciting week of competitive racing. We wish Team FWBC the best of luck!
Club Regattas
Upcoming Regattas hosted by FWBC
Ol' Man of the Seas - October 10th & 11th
The Ol’ Man of the Sea Regatta is a longtime FWBC tradition and a highlight of the fall racing season. Sailors come together on Eagle Mountain Lake for a weekend of competitive racing, great camaraderie, and plenty of fun and entertainment both on and off the water. With a variety of keelboats competing, the regatta offers a great opportunity to enjoy some of the year's best racing while celebrating the FWBC sailing community.
Regatta Chair: Mark W. Smith
Jr. Ol' Man of the Seas - October 24th & 25th
The Jr. Ol’ Man of the Sea Regatta returns this fall as the USODA Mid-American Championship, bringing top youth Optimist sailors from across the region to Eagle Mountain Lake. This exciting weekend of racing allows young sailors to compete at a high level while enjoying the welcoming atmosphere of FWBC.
Regatta Chairs: Michael and Nettie Younger
Coaches’ Chalktalk
Simple tips to sail smarter and sail faster
Knots Every Sailor Should Know
Whether you are new to sailing or have been around boats for years, knowing a few basic knots is an important part of being a confident and capable sailor. Knots are used for everything from securing lines and attaching sails to tying boats up at the dock.
You do not need to know dozens of different knots to be a good sailor. Learning a handful of reliable knots and knowing when to use them will cover most situations you encounter on a sailboat.
The Figure Eight
The figure eight is one of the simplest and most important knots for sailors. It is commonly used as a stopper knot to keep a line from running through a block, fairlead, or other fitting.
Common uses:
Preventing sheets and control lines from running through blocks
Creating a stopper at the end of a line
Keeping lines from accidentally pulling completely out of a fitting
It is a great first knot for new sailors because it is simple to tie and easy to check.
The Square Knot
The square knot, also called a reef knot, is used to tie two ends of the same or similar-sized line together. It is simple and easy to untie, but it is not designed for situations where the knot will be under heavy or changing loads.
Common uses:
Tying bundles or securing gear
Reefing sails
Joining two ends of a line for light-duty purposes
A common mistake is confusing a square knot with a similar-looking knot. Remember: right over left, then left over right. The two ends should come out of the knot parallel to each other.
The Cleat Hitch
The cleat hitch is used to secure a line to a cleat. It is especially useful when docking or tying a boat to a dock, but cleats are also commonly found on sailboats for securing control lines.
Common uses:
Securing a boat to a dock
Securing halyards and other lines
Quickly adjusting and releasing a line when needed
The key to a good cleat hitch is making sure the line is wrapped around the cleat correctly and finished with a clean locking turn.
The Bowline
The bowline is one of the most useful knots in sailing. It creates a fixed loop at the end of a line that will not slip under load, but can still be untied relatively easily afterward.
Common uses:
Attaching a jib or other sail to a line
Creating a secure loop around an object
Securing a line when you need a fixed-size loop
A good bowline should be easy to recognize, properly dressed, and tightened before putting it under load.
The Sheet Bend
The sheet bend is used to join two lines together, especially when the lines are different sizes. Unlike a square knot, the sheet bend is designed to hold more securely when the lines are under load.
Common uses:
Joining two lines together
Extending a line when you need additional length
Connecting lines of different sizes
The sheet bend is especially useful to know because sailors often work with different types and sizes of line.
The Clove Hitch
The clove hitch is used to temporarily secure a line around a post, rail, or other object. It is quick to tie and easy to adjust, making it useful when you need to attach or position something temporarily.
Common uses:
Securing a fender line to a rail
Temporarily attaching a line to a post or pole
Holding something in position while you make adjustments
The clove hitch can loosen or slip when it is not under a consistent load, so it is important to use it for the right situation rather than as an all-purpose knot.
Why Knots Matter
Knowing how to tie a knot is only part of the skill. A good sailor should also understand which knot to use and why.
The right knot should be secure when you need it to be, easy to untie when the job is done, and appropriate for the situation. Sailors also need to develop the habit of checking their knots before putting a line under load.
For junior sailors especially, learning knots is a great way to build independence. Being able to fix a line, secure your boat, or help a teammate without waiting for a coach is an important part of becoming a more capable sailor.
Coach’s Takeaway
You do not have to memorize every knot in a sailing book. Start with a few basic knots and practice them until you can tie them without thinking about every step.
A good sailor knows their boat, understands their equipment, and can take care of the small problems that come up on the water. Knots may seem like a small part of sailing, but knowing how to use them correctly is one of those skills that will stay with you throughout your sailing career.
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
Comments