news@sunfishclass.org

What is ISCA?

The International Sunfish Class Association (ISCA) is the organization that governs the one-design class of sailboats which includes Sunfish® and the Zim-built ISCA boat. ISCA serves to maintain the one-design standards for the class and ensure that an ISCA you buy in 2024 is just as relevant as your vintage boat that has been lovingly cared for! Sunfish® is a registered trademark of VELUM LTD.

There were several questions after the Midwinters in 2025 about rigging blocks and a few others.  These questions are reviewed by the Chief Measurer and Technical Committee. They have published these Official Interpretations #9 on May 2025. 

Items addressed:

• Rule 3.1.1 - Mainsheet Block
• Rule 3.1.9 - Digital Compass
• Rule 3.5.3 - Boom Blocks
• Rule 3.5.7 - Tape
• Rule 3.7.5 - Outhaul Lines
• Rule 3.7.1 - Mainsheet Path
• Rule 3.7.1 a - Block on Bridle

 If you have questions or other challenges, you can go to this page and look for the Interpretations for more details. CLICK HERE

by Parker Nagle, US Virgin Islands

I love attending major ISCA events like the ISCA North Americans because they give me the chance to compete against some of the best ISCA sailors in the world and experience big starting lines. I also really enjoy meeting new people and reconnecting with friends I've made at past events.

Every event teaches me something new—whether it's lessons on the water or tips on land from more experienced sailors, I always feel like my sailing improves. I also appreciate the chance to sail in different conditions than I'm used to. For example, Fairhope, Alabama had a wide range of conditions, from light wind to strong breeze, chop, and changing tides.

The toughest part of North Americans for me was the starts. It was challenging to find a clear spot on the line and avoid starting in bad air. But I know the best way to get better is to keep sailing and showing up to ISCA events!

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to attend the Worlds in Ecuador this year due to a conflict, but I’m really excited to welcome ISCA sailors to St. Croix for the 2026 Worlds. I can’t wait to see you all here!

by Kelly Ann Arrindell, Trinidad and Tobago

It has been a great experience representing Trinidad and Tobago in the ISCA class this year. While I’ve previously competed in international regattas in the Laser, this was my first year sailing the ISCA at larger events. The North Americans in Alabama marked my first international regatta in the class, and it was an incredibly enjoyable experience.

The sailing conditions were good but challenging, with choppy water and hot weather. Competing in a 79-boat fleet brought its own difficulties, but after the first few races, I found my rhythm and eased back into big-fleet racing.

The competition was strong, and it was valuable to measure myself against some of the more experienced sailors in the fleet. Everyone — both on and off the water — was welcoming and friendly. The race committee also did an excellent job running and managing the event, making the overall experience a very positive one.

I’m looking forward to continuing my journey in this class and hope to take part in more high-level events in the coming months and years.

Simon Gomez Ortiz COL (1st - 20 pts) proudly holds the North American Perpetual Trophy with his coach and fellow teammate.

L to R (Kelly-Ann Arrindell TTO 10th Top Female, Eugene Schmitt USA 9th, Christopher Alexander 8th USA, Mike Ingham Top Grand Master USA, David Hernendez GUA 6th, Diego Silvestre GUA 7th, Simon Gomez Ortiz COL 1st, Sebastian Medina PUR 3rd, Bernardo Fernandez ECU 5th Top Youth, Rod Favela VEN 4th, Steve Honour Top Great Grand Master, Conner Blouin USA 2nd. 

Photo 1: Crowded marks were the story of the day as boats would round in packs making for some interesting conversations. Robomarks were also 'new' for this class. Photo 2:  Berardo Fernandez ECU Top Youth Photo 3: Beautiful Fairhope Yacht Club rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina. 

Photo 1: Awards Photo 2: Amanda Callahan Photo 3: Simon Gomez Ortiz master class of down wind speed Photo 4: Parker Nagle ISV (who also qualified for Youth Worlds in ILCA 6)

Photo 1: Rod Favela VEN making moves downwind Photo 2: Clinton Edward Gulf Coast Regional Representative Photo 3: Kelly Ann Arrindell TTO (new to the boat) Photo 4: Peru sailors Tania Zimmerman and Jocelyn Montagne always smiling!

Hosted by the Austin Yacht Club, Texas

by Annie Lancaster

The 2025 Sunfish Youth North American Championship was held at Austin Yacht Club in Austin, Texas on Lake Travis on June 27-29. There was a group of 13 competitors from Ohio, Alabama, Mississippi, Ecuador and Rockport, Houston and Austin, Texas. The event was sponsored by Austin Yacht Club and the Austin Yacht Club Fund. With a lot of help and support from AYC members, we feel the event was a success. Best of all there was wind, albeit shifty, and sunshine. The PRO, Terry Schertz and her race committee ran a practice session on Friday night and ran 5 W/L2 races on Saturday and 5 W/L2 races on Sunday. There were 6 Sunfish loaned out along with various parts and sails. A Texas event would not be complete with breakfast tacos, a fajita dinner, nachos and quesadillas all con queso.

Congratulations to the winners…

1st - Javier Balladares, Salinas Yacht Club, Ecuador

2nd – William Wise, Lakewood Yacht Club, Seabrook, Texas

3rd – Wyatt Romberg, Austin Yacht Club, Austin, Texas

4th – Calvin Brock, Austin Yacht Club, Austin, Texas

5th – Zachary Romberg, Austin Yacht Club, Austin Texas

Links to on-the-water pictures from Saturday races taken by Marilyn Jackson.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/PkQqhHsbPUpYFmS17

Links to on-the-water and trophy pictures from Sunday taken by Cheryl Pervier

https://photos.app.goo.gl/vZci1u16Jtzssf2BA

Thank you to all the Volunteers and Austin Yacht Club for their support of this event. Special shout out to Annie Lancaster for being the regatta chair!

USSCA is pleased to announce the next seminar on Monday, July 14th at 7:00 pm EST.  2024 ISCA World Champion and College of Charleston Head Coach Conner Blouin will be doing a seminar on Starting Strategies.  USSCA Members, please join us by CLICKING HERE and submit your questions. You must login to the website and be a current member to register. Thank you for your membership support. There is NO CHARGE for members to attend this seminar. Thank you Doug Kaukeinen for leading the educational team to find speakers -have a topic you want to hear about email Doug! 

If you have questions, please contact the USSCA President Susan Mallows ussca.president@gmail.com  or if you have trouble with login, please contact the Class Administrator sunfishoff@gmail.com. 

The Women’s North American Championship, September 5-7, will be here before you know it! 

This regatta is a great opportunity to come together with the amazing women of the Sunfish Class for some healthy competition and to share in a quintessential Midwest lake experience. In addition to excellent sailing on beautiful Lake Wawasee, IN, members of the Wawasee Yacht Club (WYC) are ready to welcome you into their homes, if you are interested in host housing. Also...

• Loaner boats, charter boats and free lodging spots are available with some advance planning! Contact Brad Wagnon at (765) 749-8556 or b.wagnon46@gmail.com
• The top 2 finishers of this event automatically qualify for the 2026 ISCA World Championship to be sailed in the island paradise of St. Croix/USVI – Nov. 7-14, 2026. 
• Gail Heusler, USSCA’s 2025 Member of the year and six-time champion of this event and will return to vie for the 2025 title and the Linda Tillman perpetual trophy.  
• Get a preview of the sailing community at Lake Wawasee on Instagram (wawaseeyachtclub)

The Notice of Race is posted and Registration is Open: USSCA Women’s North American Championship

These are fun photos from past years! Don't miss out - join us register today!

CLICK on the graphics below to go directly to the event registration page!

Family's can sail together and have fun. Check out these family teams from North Americans. USSCA Has over 100 family members this year (and counting) get your spouse, kids or grandparents involved and go sailing! Thanks to Clinton NAs had a NEW trophy for lowest combined points for Generational Family team won by Robert and Stuart Adams. 

L-R (Clinton and son James Edwards, Stuart and son Robert Adams, Susan Mallows and Doug Brown married)

L-R (Mike Ingham and Mary Ellen Ingham siblings, Mary and son Micky Kalich)

The Summer Solstice Regatta was held at Seabrook SC 21-22 June. We had 16 boats and were the largest class in attendance.  The Sunfish/ISCA Dinghy is experiencing a Renaissance here in Texas. Many people seem to be getting out of there more expensive and complex boats for the Sunfish.

   We had a total of 7 races, 5 Saturday,  2 on Sunday all with lots of breeze. Saturday began with 12 knots and was a steady 18 knots at the end. 3-4 foot rolling waves made for some amazing downwind legs. Sunday it blew harder, bigger waves, and we had 2 races before the thunderstorm arrived. It was a close series with only a few points between 1st and 2nd.

The final results with 1 throw out were 1st, David Ryden, SSC, 2nd, Josh Rubin SSC and 3rd Mike Jones HYC.

Summer camp is in full swing around the country!  Augusta Sailing Club and Western Carolina Sailing Club in action! Send us your camp pictures at news@sunfishclass.org. 

Richard Staples (RI) picked up a few old boats on Facebook Marketplace and turned them into fun toys for the family!  He thanks everyone for the wisdom shared on the Facebook page for "SUNFISH REPAIR" to help him get these boats back afloat Two boats is the key you always have a sailing buddy. Check out these inspirational photos - 3 generations in 2 boats going over 5 miles on the first sail! As Richard describes it MAGIC happened today! Three cheers to more inspirational stories like these - please share at news@sunfishclass.org. 

These smiles say it all!  Great job Grandpa Staples! 

ISCA/USSCA Class Administrator

8070 Willow Tree Way, Alpharetta, GA 30005

www.sunfishclass.org    sunfishoff@gmail.com  404-451-7743