Category Archives: Events

July 2, 2022-Soling 50 & ODOM Points

It looks like we have definitely overcome the May gray and June gloom syndromes as sailors were greeted by picture perfect summer weather, excellent winds and delightful pond conditions. Also a huge surprise, traffic and parking were quite tolerable for a holiday weekend!

A special thank you for the crew that helped make these races possible. “R” white striped referee RD Ken Campbell, Gil Jansky for left biased and drifty mark setting, Kim Robbins for mark retrieval and skiff clean-up and Bob Williams for post racing hot dog rewards.

CUMULATIVE

The first three ODOM races Gerry Wold was inadvertently affected by a rubber band handicap. During lunch break, Gerry discovered a rubber band wrapped around his keel bulb! Finger printing and DNA sampling are being conducted to determine if it was sabotage or a naturally occurring pond phenomenon? Non the less Gerry is still FAST!

CUMULATIVE

There is a lot to this thing we call sailing and its not just about winning a race, so I asked google:

What’s fun about sailing? What’s so great about sailing?

Answers:

Sailing is an invigorating sport that offers many rewards, not the least of which is that it’s simply so much fun. Imagine white sails billowing against a clear sky, the brisk feel of the breeze on your face, and the gentle motions of the boat as it cleanly slices through the water.

Some sailors gain a profound sense of oneness with their boat, the sea, and the wind. The boat becomes a self-contained universe, the process of sailing becomes all-consuming. Any sense of time changes and expands, small moments becoming more important. Sailing can be a meditative, reflective and engrossing experience.

Sail On

See You At The Pond!

May 21- IOM & DF95 Points

Cool weather, thick stratus and spring time eddy breezes were the dominant forces at our sailing pond today with IOM and DF 95 skippers navigating the highly variable aquatic landscape!

VC Bob Williams motivated todays enthusiastic team of RD’s and support team. Our group expresses genuine appreciation to Kerim Baran, Ken Wild and Steve Delva for RD duties and course setting. Ken Campbell’s Racing Rules Clinic/Score keeper and  Bill Bridge and numerous other hands assisted with clean up!

We had a respectable showing of eight IOM skippers. Plus a generous showing in the DF 95 fleet, with twenty boats challenging the starting line. Thank you to all that participated!

Sailing Rules Clinic – Starboard vs. Port & Tacking
IOM Races 1 to 6 (#1,2,3,6 from the start/finish line, #3,4,5,6 from drone)
DF 95 Starting Action

After a strenuous day of sailing skippers were treated to another great hotdog bbq at the boat shed. Thank you Bob Williams for another fun day at the pond!

Smooth Sailing!

Soling 50-May 14 Fun Regatta

Hey all,

Today was the Soling 50 Fun Day Regatta. The event was held under partly cloudy skies and a wonderful 75 degree weather. Blowing pretty much down the pond, the wind was between 5-7 with at times up to 10mph. We had six skippers attending todays battle for bragging rights. Before we get to the scores, shout out to Kim, Ty, and Bob for helping me retrieve the buoys, clean up and put it all away. 

A total of 12 races were made with two throw outs given at the end of racing. There were 10 medium courses, 1 short, and 1 long course. Several breakdowns hindered a couple of skippers but most finished the racing by days end. Without further ado, the final scores:

Ken Campbell    15
Chris Staiger      17
Ty Beach             22
Gerry Wold         42
Kim Robbins       45
Ken Wild              59

Thank you

Ben 

Ben Reeve gets the Gold Medal of Appreciation for RD and scoring a fun day of sailing!

If you are an RC enthusiast, big boat sailor or just pond side spectator the San Diego Argonauts welcome your interest into our FUN and challenging hobby of RC Sailing!

MAR19 IOM & DF95 Points

March was an active month on our pond with three consecutive weekends of sailing events! Thank You, to all that participated!

The month wraps up with IOM and DF95 fleets, with a competitive day of sailing. Winds were  favorable all day and each fleet easy completed a series of six races.

Prior to racing and our skippers meeting Ken Campbell conducted a 10 minute discussion with the topics When do the Rules Apply and Proper Hailing. Hailing is a subject all skippers are aware of, but challenged to initiate, while engaged on the water. There were numerous questions and clarifications during this seminar. The challenge to all is taking the knowledge to the race course. Kerim documented the class:

When do the Rules Apply
Proper Hailing

Before the races, Commodore Mark Hallberg recognized volunteers by handing out cash awards to those who routinely contribute to club activities. This was a huge incentive to get involved with our club. Don’t spend your dividends all in one place!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

IOM’s were on the course at noon, greeted by southwest winds in the 6-8mph range. Medium courses were the norm. As the day progressed and the IOM’s had a few races under their belt, winds shifted right for a little variation. Nice conditions!

The fleet of twelve DF95 started their series of six races with slightly freshening wind conditions and competitive racing. Chris Stager is back on the Argonauts sailing circuit with years of RC racing experience. It’s great to see the level of competition continue to grow!

At the end of the day Bob Williams, on his 80th Birthday, fired up the grill and served delicious hot dogs. Happy Birthday Bob.. Thank you for all you do!

IOM’s Video 1 of 16:  (Automatically continues to the next video, or click next arrow)

VOLUNTEERS MAKE THESE EVENTS POSSIBLE-SMOOTH-AND FUN!

THANK YOU TO ALL THAT CONTRIBUTED TODAY:

Bill Bridge – Skiff and Mark Prep

Ken Campbell – Rules Seminars & Points Scoring

Ben Reeve – Registration & Collections

Kerim Baran – IOM RD and Drone Video Documentarian

Gil Jansky – Course Marks / RD DF95 series

Commodore, Mark Hallberg – Assistant RD and Scoring

VC Sail, Bob Williams – Grill Master

Keith Sternal – Skiff Clean-Up

Smooth Sailing, Gil

FIRST ANNUAL ODOM BURNT HOT DOG FUN RACE

BBQ Chef, Bob & the prize!

The First Annual ODOM Burnt Hot Dog Fun Race was attended by 7 eager skippers with intentions of capturing the illusive perpetual award. Kim Robbins set an excellent course. Ben Reeve our RD extraordinaire managed a total of 12 races with 2 throw-outs, in fairly consistent winds. An active and festive “peanut gallery” had a great time watching and commenting on the races.  Was that Irish music I heard playing pond side?? Everyone seemed to be having a really good time!

Congratulations Ken Campbell- Nice Sailing!

After a fun day on the water Bob Williams fired up the grill as skippers enjoyed hot dogs and great camaraderie!

Various segments from Races 7 through 12 captured in a series of 15 videos from Kerim

We thank all our volunteers that consistently lend a hand to the various activities that support our club. Your dedication is appreciated!

DF95 & IOM-February Points

Twelve DF95 and five IOM Skippers closed out February points racing with delightful sailing conditions. Newbie RD Gil and seasoned score keeper Bill Bridge were the days event managers. 

The 95 fleet was on the course just after noon with a nice WNW breeze in the 6-8 mph range. As the afternoon progressed the wind range increased at the same time predictability decreased. Shifty and gusty! 95 skippers made the best of it with 6 fun races.

Our fleet of five IOM’s had their turn on the pond with winds continuing to pulse. Skippers experienced gusts and occasional speedy bow down conditions to light and variable drifty areas of water. Some refer to it as a  “crap shoot”! Observing the best skippers consistently score high in these conditions it appears there is more than just luck! Keep working.

After a fun day of sailing VC Bob Williams fired up our new grill that was generously donated by Steve Delva. Bob experimented with a new blackened hot dog recipe, that was not fully approved by Julia Child; but turned out to be wildly acknowledged by all attendees! Bob also presented beautiful hand made trophies to Bill Bridge, Ben Reeve and Gil Jansky for their recent volunteer efforts. Thank you Bob!

A fun day indeed.. Bring on March!

2022 IOM Midwinters Regatta- Final Day

Sunday morning on the Mission Bay Model Yacht Pond found skippers is quiet contemplation and focused trimming and tuning for the final day of the IOM Midwinters Regatta in San Diego. The pond waters were still as skippers shared ideas and tuning techniques among their friends and competitors. This class has a truly a collaborative group of skippers, which continues to raise and inspire a higher level of sailing.

Sea breezes begin to freshen as Fred Rocha calls a 10:30 am Skippers Meeting. “C” fleet is on the course for a 10:45 am start and another perfect day of pond sailing!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS!

Congratulation! Mark Gollison- 1st Place
Jess Atkinson- 2nd Place
Gary Boell- 3rd Place
George Pedrick- 4th Place
Christian Plaza- 5th Place
Gene Harris- FAIR PLAYER AWARD
Various segments from Races 15A, 16C, 16B, 18A

Special appreciation go to our dedicated IOM sailors that attended this years annual Midwinters Regatta in San Diego. Without your passionate interest and participation in this unique sport and hobby, our pond culture would not be the same. Good Luck in future regattas and see you next year!

This event was made possible by unconditional support from club volunteers: Kim Robbins, Bill Bridge, Ben Reeve, Commodore, Mark Hallberg, Dennis Rogers and Kerim Baran. Each one added a special contribution to make this a great event. VC of Sail, Bob Williams, has been a driving force to our club success.. NICE JOB!

Last but not least.. The man with all the energy and enthusiasm for our sailing addiction, Fred Rocha!! We could not do this without your genuine drive and passion! YOU ARE AMAZING.. Thank You!

SMOOTH SAILING, Gil

2022 IOM Midwinters Regatta-San Diego, Day 2

Our pond was greeted by a beautiful sunny morning, relaxing offshore flow and early prevailing NW breeze. Not to be argued with in the middle of February! Good sailing was abundant throughout the day with C fleet hitting the water at 11AM and A fleet ending the day while the sky was turning sunset orange. Thank you Fred Rocha for the tight rounds!

DAY 2 IOM MIDWINTERS-SCORES
ALL CLEAR

Special Thanks to Kerim Baran for spectacular drone footage.

segments from Races 7C, 7B, 7A, 8C. Captured in a series of 8 videos

2022 IOM Midwinters Regatta-San Diego, Day 1

The San Diego Argonauts launched their three day IOM Midwinters Regatta with twenty six eager skippers and perfect perfect summer-like weather on Mission Bay Model Yacht Pond. Water level was a bit skinny due to recent maintenance and shoreline work, so our fleet was divided into 3 heats in order to avoid traffic issues. Sea breezes freshened by mid day with increasingly challenging shifts as the day progressed. Fred Rocha, master organizer and RD extraordinaire directed a full day of sailing for all!

3-2-1 LAUNCH
OFF ON THE FIRST WEATHER LEG
FRED!
DOWN WIND LEG
JESS ATKINSON-NICE FIRST DAY.. GOOD LUCK TOMORROW!
FEBRUARY 18, 19 and 20

Conditions are looking favorable for another great day of sailing tomorrow! Smooth Sailing..

Sand Bar Reduction Program-How Low Can We Go??

A two foot pipe on the south east side of our pond supplies the daily tidal flow to our cool little estuary. The currents created, through the pipe, by the flood and ebb of sea water shift the sand and create a shoal or island. Numerous skippers have run aground. Not good! You guessed it..start digging!

Who pulled the plug?
Kim-One “Man Skip Loader”
Drone Footage-Kerim Baran

San Diego Argonaut volunteers have been working diligently to prepare for the 2022 sailing season and the IOM Midwinters 3 Day Regatta, Feb. 18,19 & 20. The skiff and launching dolly refinishing project was completed this weekend. Nice job guys.. our little mark setting skiff should service us for years to come!

A special note from VC Sail Bob Williams:

I want to thank Kim, Tom, Gil, Kerim, Keith, & Freddie for lowering the sandbar on Sat. The skiff & trailer repairs are finished & please take care when using them! Bob VCS

City workers are scheduled to rake/scrape the pond shore line while the water level is down. The valve will be re-opened and we should be up to full level in a few days!
FEBRUARY 18, 19 &20

This will be a fun spectator event with continuous sailing action throughout the day! Bring your camera and chair.. Volunteer if you can, extra hands are always welcome..