The Weekapaug Yacht Club (WYC)

 Dating back to the late 1880's, the WYC is located on the Quonochontaug Pond in Westerly, RI. The Weekapaug Yacht Club is open to families and individuals who reside in the communities bordering Quonochontaug Pond. Membership entitles families to participate in the WYC social events, enroll children in the sailing program and kiddie camp, participate in weekly club races (Optimists, Beetles and 420s), and use the docks and facilities.  Members also receive WYC stickers, which will be issued at the beginning of each season for all moored and unmoored boats at the yacht club, including Optimists, Beetles, kayaks, dinghies, etc. both on the beach and in the corral. These stickers will enable the club to identify boats and contact owners when needed in the event of an emergency. High tides can wash boats from the beach into Quonochontaug Pond. Boats left on the beach can be moved to the side of the yacht club closest to the bathhouses for safe storage.

Letter from the Commodore...

Sailing is just around the corner and here is some important information that may be helpful.  The board has been very busy hiring instructors, planning the social schedule and building docks.  As stated in the March letter, Kearsley Lloyd will be the head instructor this summer.  The returning instructors are Dave Bryant, Vince & Marina Reppucci, Courtney Sherman and Meredith Elias.  We have hired four new instructors:  Cameron Thompson from Westerly and Watch Hill, Jeremy Henry and Westy Barlow from the University of Rhode Island Sailing Team and Brooks Saglio from Watch Hill and the University of Charlestown.  We are fortunate to have Mary, Kathryn and Eliza Hannon returning.  Eliza will not only be doing Kiddie Camp, but also working the office on the opposite schedule of Mary so that the office is always staffed

 The club will open officially on Saturday, June 28^th for the Commodore’s Cocktail Party at 6:30PM (adult members only!)  Sunday will be the Blessing of the Fleet, so have your family boats ready.  Click here for the WYC calendar for advanced planning.  Classes for July begin on Monday, June 30^th.  There will be no classes on Thursday, July 3^rd due to the Nat Earle Regatta, where last year we had a record 50 Opti’s on the pond!  Be sure to encourage your Opti sailors to sign up, and our instructors are available to assess whether your child is ready or not.  Friday July 4^th will be a busy and festive day.  There will be a regular schedule of classes, but we will also have the Nat Earle Run/Walk at 9:30 and Fourth of July Races for all fleets at 1:00.  Regular season races will start the first week so be ready to participate and we will be doing 100% awards again this summer.  (You need to race every time your fleet is sailing to receive this!)  Keep in mind that we have two yacht club Beetles and nine 420’s that are available for Sunday races on the pond.  Please sign up at the club if you’re interested in using them (1^st signed up, 1^st served basis).

We are always in need of volunteers to help with any of the events on the calendar.  Opportunities range from decorating for potlucks to flipping burgers or serving pizza.  The yacht club runs on a volunteer basis so we need your help to keep things running.  Please check the calendar and see where you can lend a helping hand!  Contact Eileen at Eileen@ingham.net and let her know when you can help.

For all you Opti owners, please be sure ALL of your equipment has your name on every part.  You will need to have a > 10” diameter by 9 feet long PVC tube for under the club to store your sail.  The younger kids have trouble getting the sail in the narrow tubes.  Make sure your name is on the tube in a visible spot.  This is the best approach to ensure you don’t lose any equipment, but it’s not fool-proof!  The Elia family has a used Opti for sale, please e-mail gelia@ct-ortho.com directly.

New this year is a waiver.  ALL KIDS WILL NEED TO HAVE A SIGNED WAIVER TO SAIL!!!   Please click here for the waiver and print it after you have filled in the appropriate information for your family and either mail it to Beth Dwyer at 24 Intervale Rd. Providence, RI 02906 or bring the waiver to the first day of classes.  Also, for Opti sailors, click here to see the ECSA Regatta Schedule.

We have tried to accommodate all Opti rental requests and many classes are near full capacity. The class schedules should be posted on Friday, June 27^th at the WYC. Please stop and check the board and see which sections your children are in. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me (Beth - 401-632-4779or e-mail me at dwyer5@cox.net ).

We are looking forward to a great season. 

Beth Dwyer, Commodore
Dwyer5@cox.net
401-632-4779

Member Support

WYC's success in hosting events is completely dependent upon member volunteers. If you can flip a burger, set or move a table, or hand out water at the Nat Earle Road Race, then WYC needs your help. PLEASE volunteer to help with an event. Send an email to Eileen@ingham.net; and let us know how you can lend a hand. I also ask WYC members to continue their support and past generosity with a donation to the Nat Earle Memorial Fund that supports our youth sailing programs. Contact us at:
weekapaugyachtclub@verizon.net