Now that we are starting to experience some warmer weather, Fort Worth Boat Club is ready for an exciting season ahead! Read below for the latest updates about our Junior Racing Team, 2024 Summer Camps, The 95th Annual Regatta, and Club Racing.
Come join our community and get involved in the exciting world of sailing at FWBC. Whether you're an experienced sailor or just starting, we have opportunities for everyone to learn and grow.
FWBC Camps
FWBC Spring Break Adventure Camp NEW!!
Come join us for our new Spring Break Camp at FWBC!
From March 11-15, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm, children aged 8 to 15 can enjoy a week filled with paddle boarding, kayaking, fishing, and sailing on Eagle Mountain Lake. Create lasting memories and nurture that adventurous spirit.
Don't miss this chance to introduce your kids to various water sports and activities while embracing the beauty of Eagle Mountain Lake. Sign up now for the FWBC Spring Break Camp!
FWBC Summer Sailing and Adventure Camps
Registration for the 2024 FWBC Summer Sailing and Adventure Camps is OPEN!
Camps will run weekly from June 3rd through August 9th.
FWBC offers a variety of summer camps for different age groups throughout the summer.
Sailing Camps, designed for ages 8-15, provide nautical adventures with activities like sailing lessons, teamwork building, and water exploration at Eagle Mountain Lake. (June)
Adventure Camps, also for ages 8-15, offer diverse adventures like kayaking, hiking, sailing, fishing, and team-building activities against the backdrop of the lake. (July/August)
Race Camp at Rockport Yacht Club is tailored for junior TSA sailors, providing a Race Clinic with high-performance coaches to prepare for the TSA Rockin' Rockport Regatta. (July 22-25)
Little Dogies Camps, for the youngest sailors aged 4-7, introduces sailing and nautical fun through age-appropriate activities like crafts and kayaking, fostering a love for the water from an early age. (June/July/August)
Don't miss out on the Best Summer Ever!
Camp Registration, Information, and FAQs can be found here.
Junior Sailing Team
St. Petersburg Regattas - ILCA and USODA
February started off with some challenging competition for our junior sailing team. At the beginning of the month, the team traveled to Flordia to sail on Tampa Bay at the beautiful St. Petersburg Yacht Club.
The ILCA Mid-Winters East Regatta was a big hit, showcasing skilled sailors from all over the country and abroad. The FWBC team consisted of Shiloh Mabry, Finn Messner, Alex Van Zanten, and Isla Mrstik. All fought hard over the 4 challenging days of racing while improving their skills and challenging themselves.
After that, the St. Petersburg Yacht Club also hosted the USODA Valentine's Day Regatta, a great event that had Opti sailors from all over the world. The FWBC Opti Team all had some of their best racing yet and even brought home some hardware back to Texas. FWBC sailing sisters took podium positions! Sarah Hyland finished 2nd in Red Fleet and Evie Hyland finished 5th in White Fleet. Other team members Colby Cox and Ashlyn Josephson also had impressive races throughout the regatta.
It was a great two weeks in Flordia racing on Tampa Bay and now we look towards the start of the 2024 TSA Youth Circuit at Austin Yacht Club in March!
Sail Fast,
Coach Ryan and Coach Val
High school girls racing in NOLA
The Nolan Catholic Viking Sailing Club returned to Texas after a successful trip to New Orleans after participating in the All Girls Catholic School Regatta. Lily Moody and Gentry Schneider sailed along with other young ladies from nine other Catholic schools from all over the country.
Our girls sailed well on Lake Pontchartrain finishing 11th out of 15 teams. Lily and Gentry said it was a challenge sailing on “open” water versus Eagle Mountain Lake. The other teams all hail from either the West Coast or East Coast and do sail in “open” water.
Our hosts, Ursuline Academy, treated everyone to a Mardi Gras parade, Beignets, and seafood gumbo on their campus. It was also a privilege to attend Mass Sunday morning on the shores of the lake officiated by Father Dawson from Loyola University. It was a great experience for our team and great work to all the sailors and volunteers involved in this regatta.
Upcoming Junior Regattas
Dates | Regatta | Location |
|---|---|---|
March 23-24 | TSA Roadrunner | Austin Yacht Club |
April 6-7 | TSA Chocopalooza | Rush Creek Yacht Club |
May 4-5 | TSA Grapevine | Grapevine Sailing Center |
June 1-2 | TSA Seahorse | Lakewood Yacht Club |
Waves of Talent: Junior Sailor Spotlight - Alex Van Zanten
How old were you when you started sailing, and what inspired you to get involved in the sport?
When I started sailing, I think I was about 8 years old. The first team I was on was Greenies at FWBC but it all started when my dad signed me up to go to sailing camp over the summer. That was my first experience with sailing ever. When I say I’m so happy he signed me up, I really am. The main thing that inspired me to start sailing was the loving and supportive community.
What do you enjoy most about being out on the water and sailing?
The things I enjoy most about sailing are the peace and calm I feel those two days each week on the water. Those two days just let me forget about my worries. There is also the competitiveness too. I haven’t been sailing a laser as long as the other kids it makes me push myself to get better and keep up with them.
Do you have a sailing role model or someone you look up to in the sailing community?
I have one big role model and this person has been my role model since day one and that person is my brother Jack. He has always been giving me tips on anything whether it’s on an FJ or a laser, there’s always something for me to fix. Watching him in this sport really made me want to do it even more because if you are the youngest you constantly want to be just like your older siblings. Jack will constantly tell me that if I stick with this sport, I might become even better than him, and knowing that I’m super competitive that’s what I’m always striving for, to get better and have fun while I’m doing it.
Club Racing and Regattas
Club Hosted Regattas
Explore FWBC's spring regatta lineup! All these regattas will showcase the talents of the skilled sailors from our community, as well as those from other clubs and regions. Join us on regatta weekends to experience the excitement with a view from our patio by Eagle Mountain Lake.
Dates | Regatta | Location |
|---|---|---|
March 2-3 | Bob Gough TSA Race of Champions | Fort Worth Boat Club |
April 20-21 | 95th Annual Regatta and Cowtown Stampede | Fort Worth Boat Club |
April 27-28 | ILCA No Coast Championships | Fort Worth Boat Club |
For more information visit our Regattas Page.
FWBC Annual Regatta and Cowtown Stampede - April 19-21, 2024
Join us for the 2024 Annual Regatta and Cowtown Stampede!
This regatta will feature Portsmouth and PHRF fleet courses, is a stop for the J24 District 14 Regional Circuit Series, and is open to single and double-handed dinghies. We can't wait to see the competition as everyone gathers for this amazing event on the water!
Don't miss out on our Early Entry Discount available until April 6th, 2024. Take advantage of this limited-time offer to secure your spot for a weekend filled with competitive racing and a great community.
Registration can be found on the Club Racing Page.
A special thank you to our generous sponsors who make this event possible
ILCA No Coast Championship - April 27-28, 2024
The weekend after the Annual Regatta, FWBC will be hosting the ILCA No Coast Championship Regatta. This is a major regional regatta on the 2024 ILCA Grand Prix Circuit so will bring with it some great competitive sailing to our shores for our members and sailors.
Registration can be found on the Regattas Page.
Resolute Cup at NYYC and Newport
Fort Worth Boat Club has been invited to enter the 2024 Resolute Cup to be held at Newport, Rhode Island September 9 - 15. The event will be raced on the NYYC Sonars with a 4 person crew. Our Club has a long history and relationship with the New York Yacht Club and the Resolute Cup, we have requested an entry selection along with many established clubs throughout the USA. Racing is very competitive with the best of the best amateur sailors in the country.
Fort Worth Boat Club, if selected will be looking for members to put forward teams that meet the Regatta Crew requirements.
TSA Bob Gough Race of Champions - March 2-3, 2024
This weekend, FWBC will be hosting the Bob Gough Memorial Trophy Race of Champions. The ROC is an invitational event with a format designed to bring multiple generations of champions together for a weekend of competition, learning, and stories! The regatta will be sailed on FWBC’s J22 Fleet.
For regatta info, visit our Regattas page.
Club Racing
Marigail Series - Results
Last month, we completed the final races of the Marigail Series here at FWBC. Congratulations to the sailors who raced throughout the series.
J105 - Results
1st Blue Flash - Matt Arno
2nd Desperado - Michael Winfrey
3rd Beauty - Dwight Horton
J22 - Results
1st - Mike Schwinn
Roadie Series - Schedule and PRO Assignments
We will be continuing with the Roadie Series, comprising six races with two discards. Mark your calendars for these upcoming Roadie races:
See the Club Racing Page for information.
Spring J22 Series
With spring on the way, it's time to shake off the cobwebs and rally your crews!
J22 Check Over will be at 5:00 pm Wednesday, March 6th, on the J22 Docks
Spring Series Schedule
Races 1 and 2 - March 13 at 6.00 pm first gun
Races 3 and 4 - March 20 at 6.00 pm
Races 5 and 6 - March 27 at 6.00 pm
Registration can be found on the Club Racing Page. To reserve a boat we will be using the new FWBC app under Activities you will see J22 Check Out. The boat will be assigned and communicated back on the Buddy Chat - J22 Group.
Club racing and PRO schedules can be found on our Club Racing Page.
RS21 Open Spring Regatta @ Lakewood Yacht Club
Lakewood Yacht Club will be hosting their RS21 Spring Open Regatta on March 16-17. Just drop in and sail, no boats to tow or sails to pack, just totally matched one-design racing.
Regatta Information can be found here.
2023 FWBC Sailing Awards
On February 10th, FWBC held the 2023 Sailing Awards for our sailing community. These awards recognized the hard work and dedication of our sailors and volunteers throughout the year. Awards were presented for achievements in racing, race management, and volunteer service.
Lee Armer Trophy / FWBC Boat of the Year - Desperado
George Q. McGown Award - Glenn Darden
Dick Williamson - Offshore Racing - Matt Arno
FWBC Recorders - Debi Klyn, Laura Grunewald, Melanie Dooley
Shelton - Merrill Race Management Award - Larry McCracken for support with Regattas in 2021, 2022 and 2023
Shelton - Merrill Race Management Award - Jason Dyer for Wednesday Evening J22 Series and the Texas Yacht Club Challenge
PHRF Skipper of the Year Award - Michael Winfrey
PHRF Crew Trophy - Drew Caldera
Club J22 Most Wins - Bryan Dyer
Club J22 Crew of the Year - Sarah Francis
FWBC Family Award - Michael and Jeanette Younger
Fort Worth Boat Club Member of the Year Award - Conner Fullerton - J22 Fleet Captain and organizing weekly racing for the J22 Fleet.
To learn more about sailing at Fort Worth Boat Club, contact our dedicated staff:
Ryan Shubin - Sailing Director - Ryan@fwbc.com
Val Herrscher - Lead Coach - Coach@fwbc.com