news@sunfishclass.org

ISCA Class Updates

• World Council Meeting, November 11th @ St. Croix World Championship
• Lifetime Membership Nominations Open, Closes October 2nd

ISCA International Results

• XIII Juegos Suramericanos Santa Fe 2026, Odesur 
• PAG Country Qualification Update September 20, 2026
• Curaçao Nationals, September 19/20 

Major Championship

• Women's North American Championship @ Hobcaw YC, SC, October 9-11, deadline to register is October 1st. 

US Sailing Announces the US Selection Process for the Pan American Games

Regatta News & Sailing Reports

• US Masters, Brant Beach YC, NJ
• Board Bash, Lake Norman Yacht Club, NC
• ISCA/Sunfish Series of Connecticut 
• Southwest Regional ISCA Championship #2
• Lake Naomi Invitational Regatta
• Youth Sailing on Lake Naomi, PA
• Atlanta Yacht Club Labor Day Regatta

Clinic Updates 

• USSCA Seminar - October 28th Mental Performance Coaching
• Catawba Yacht Club, Charlotte, NC

Upcoming Events

• New York Downstate Regional Championship #3 - Westhampton Yacht Squadron, NY, October 10-11
• 2026 Pizza & Beer Regatta, Chelsea, (Wappingers Falls), NY, October 12
• Florida Regional Championship #2 - Upper Keys Sailing Club, Key Largo, FL, October 17-18
• Boca Ciega Learn to Race Clinic Regatta, Gulfport, Florida Oct. 23-26
• West Regional Championship - Arizona YC, Tempe, AZ, November 7-8

We invite all ISCA members to submit applicant(s) to be considered for this coveted honor.

The applicant’s name must be accompanied by a summary of the applicant and an explanation of why he or she should be considered for election as an Honorary Life Member.  All applications must be submitted by October 2, 2026.

Current Lifetime Members:   ISCA - Lifetime Members

The ISCA Executive Committee will then review all applications to make sure they comply with the requirements in ISCA’s Constitution before selecting up to three applicants with the highest achievements/merits.

Thirty days before the next World Council meeting (St. Croix Worlds, November 11, 2026), the ISCA Executive Committee shall appoint an Evaluation Commission of at least three to a maximum of five members from among the World Council members and/or honorary life members to select a final candidate to be voted on at the World Council meeting.

This new policy was written to include worthy candidates who might not otherwise be recognized. Thank you so much for your help and consideration to nominate deserving individuals.

Respectfully,

Liza Clinton, ISCA Secretary

ISCA Constitution 10.4 - The World Council may grant honorary life membership in ISCA to any one person a year who, through special contribution to the class or through special relationship to ISCA, is considered meritorious. An honorary life member is entitled to full privileges of membership but is not required to pay the annual dues of ISCA. The World Council must approve the “Policy for Election of the Honorary Life Member.”

Congratulations to all the sailors who participated in this event in Argentina. 

Three events have been held as part of the PAG Qualification series. There are eight country spots available. Three are confirmed. The next event is the 2026 ISCA World Championship. For full information, CLICK HERE.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Submitted by Chris Williams

Brant Beach Yacht Club hosted a record 61 boats at the ISCA 2026 US Masters Nationals on September 11-13 on Barnegat Bay, NJ, breaking the record set last year at Lake Norman, NC.

Day one featured four lightish-air races in 7-10 knots, with eventual overall winner Eugene Schmitt of Louisiana winning three of four races and finishing second in the other.  While the typical breeze at Brant Beach is from the southwest, a weather system provided a northerly that slowly moved right as the day went by.  As a result, the right side of the weather legs tended to be favored, but several racers had good upwind legs on the left.

On Saturday, the race committee chose to run four more races, leaving just one race for Sunday, when the weather forecast was for heavy rain and squalls. With great conditions on Saturday it was good decision to get in the maximum number of races permitted by the NOR and SIs. Despite the forecast calling for an easterly, the wind started and stayed southeast all day Sunday, generally around 12 knots, with gusts up to 15.  Eugene scored two more firsts to maintain his lead, and Edward Cochran, another Apprentice Master from nearby Barnegat Light YC, moved into second overall ahead of Hank Saurage, another Louisianian.

Despite the dire forecast for Sunday, the weather decided to hit northern New Jersey hard and be kind to the shore area. The fleet encountered a bit of a squall after arriving at the course area, but the rain soon cleared and left behind a breeze ranging from 10 to the mid teens, coming out of the south, and it faded some during the one race of the day.  Much like Saturday, there was the fairly steep chop typical of Barnegat Bay.  Eugene finished in style with a win, Hank moved back up to second, and Edward ended up third.

Eugene took both the overall title and the Apprentice Master (age 40-49) championship with six bullets in nine races. This follows his overall win in the ISCA International Masters championship this past March.

In addition to his 2^nd place overall finish, Hank was the top Grand Master (60-69.)  Paul-Jon Patin of New York took the Master (50-59) division; Connie Miller of Delaware won the Senior Masters (80+) division; and Nancy Jaywork of Delaware was the first female overall.  

The class was glad to be back at Brant Beach YC, the host of prior North Americans and Worlds. The race committee provided top quality races and started races promptly with no undue delays. On shore hospitality was also great, with club volunteers making sure the sailors had good time on shore as well as on the water.  

For complete results: https://theclubspot.com/regatta/YivE7DBefp/results

Eugene Schmitt wins USSCA U.S. Masters at Brant Beach Yacht Club, NJ September 11-13th. Eugene sailed an amazing regatta with a final score of 15 points across nine races and 10 points ahead of 2nd place. He expertly managed a wide range of wind conditions while sharing his engaging personality and sailing knowledge with everyone and showing us all what it means to be a Champion. Top 5 overall were Eugene Schmitt, Hank Suarage, Edward Conrad, Danny Pletsch and Hal Gilreath. Top female was Nancy Jaywork. Top sailors by age category were Apprentice - Eugene Schmitt; Master - P.J. Patin; Grand Master - Hal Gilreath; Great Grandmaster - Larry Schmitz; and Senior Master - Connie Miller.  Thank you to Brant Beach Yacht Club for an outstanding regatta. Full Results: https://theclubspot.com/regatta/YivE7DBefp/results 

More than 100 boats and 125 sailors turned out September 19-20 for the annual Board Bash Regatta at Lake Norman Yacht Club in Mooresville, NC.  ISCA Class had 17 boats total. 

Top finishers were:

• 1st overall, Mark Evans, LNYC, 18 pts
• 2nd overall, George Sechrist, BSC/FHYC, 19 pts
• 3rd overall, Jacob Folk, SIYC, 21 pts **top Junior**
• 4th overall, Oliver Putnam, ASC/SCYC, 24 pts, 2nd junior
• 5th overall, Austn Gerst, LNYC, 27 pts, 3rd junior 

FULL RESULTS

Thank you to Mark Jump Photography for capturing the fun on the water with his lens!  For more photos please CLICK HERE. 

Submitted by Will Kresic

The 2026 ISCA/Sunfish Series of Connecticut (SSOC) came to an exciting close on Day 4 at Pettipaug Yacht Club in Essex, Connecticut. Sailors were greeted with very light conditions that forced a lengthy on-water postponement as competitors and race officials waited patiently for breeze to fill in.  After one light-wind race early, persistence paid off late in the race window when the wind finally arrived. The late breeze allowed four races to cap off another successful SSOC season.

Entering the final day, Marta Chlus held a comfortable nine-point lead in the overall Championship Fleet standings. The day did not start according to plan, however, as Chlus opened with a 12th-place finish that briefly left the door open for challengers Chris Williams and Kimmy Jackman. Chlus quickly refocused and showed why she had controlled the series all season, finishing the day with an impressive 4, 3, and 1 in the remaining races. Her consistency and speed throughout the summer secured a dominant overall series victory.  Across the 2026 season, Chlus recorded six race wins in twelve races, an outstanding performance that earned her the coveted SSOC Championship title.

Champion Division standings for 2026 were rounded out with Chris Williams in second for the season and Kimberly Jackman in third. The 4th race on Sunday was crucial for Williams as it allowed an additional throw-out. After throwing out a 33, he shot up the standings to steal second with a tie-breaker. 

Day 4 honors at Pettipaug Yacht Club went to Chris Williams, whose steady sailing earned him the Day 4 regatta victory.  Will Kresic finished second overall for the day, while Kimberly Jackman rounded out he podium in third.

In the Challenger Division, Priscilla Sawyer’s consistency throughout the season proved decisive as she captured the 2026 Challenger Division series title followed by Ben Rosen. Rob Strange sailed well at Pettipaug to earn the Challenger Division win for Day 4 and third place for the season.

The 2026 SSOC season once again showcased outstanding racing and hospitality across Connecticut, with events hosted by Bolton Lake Sailing Club, Shennecossett Yacht Club, Bantam Lake Yacht Club, and Pettipaug Yacht Club.  A special thank you goes to Sarah DuBois and Mischa Van Berkel for organizing and running an excellent final regatta on behalf of Pettipaug Yacht Club. The series would not have been possible without the tremendous support of all the host clubs, volunteers, race committees, and sailors who made the 2026 season such a success. 

The series also continued to see strong participation in 2026, with 32 unique sailors participating over the four-event schedule. SSOC welcomes sailors of all experience levels, and we are looking forward to growing the fleet even more in 2027.  Anyone interested in joining the fun next season can visit ww.sunfishseriesofct.com for more information.

CLICK HERE for full results

(L to R) Winner Marta Chlus with Andrew Silhavy

Lake Worth Sailing Club, Fort Worth Texas

 by Scott Shirley, Southwest Regional USSCA Representative

Local Lake Worth sailor Duane Hebdige dominated the competition to win the second Southwest Regional Championship, the Goatman Classic hosted by LWSC, securing a spot in the 2027 World Championship in Curaçao.

Drifting conditions and heat greeted Friday arrivals, which included three young sailors who travelled from Mexico with their coach. The traditional Hula Race tuneup was canceled due to heat-induced lack of interest. Texas Circuit regulars enjoyed Happy Hour as the wind and clouds blew in. Reports of rainfall were all around; Lake Worth never got a drop, but did get a nice rainbow. Hopes were high that Saturday would have cooler temps and good breeze.

Wind was light and building on Saturday as 14 sailors prepared. PRO Jeff Progelhoff set a course to the south with the windward mark near the old Whiting Castle on the south shore. Challenging wind shifts, always a feature of Lake Worth, changed the leader repeatedly. Some say the Castle is cursed, and indeed the swirling winds at the mark drew curses from many sailors.

Duane Hebdige won the first two races, followed by Lake Worth favorite Raymond Marks with a pair of deuces, Adrian Garza with a pair of threes, and Steve Flunker with a pair of fours.  A “pecking order” in the poker game was established before lunch.

At lunch PRO Progelhoff decided to move the course closer to the north shore and the sailing club, and announced the Uniform flag will be deployed for starts. Hebdige held consistent with two more bullets, and Garza held perfect thirds. Flunker was second in race three, and Austin’s Annie Lancaster got a second in race four. The leader was set in stone, but second through fifth was still in contention.

The fleet sailed in after four races with the temperature at 102 degrees. Fortunately Happy Hour was frozen Margaritas and strawberry Daiquiris, alternating with lots of water.  A fajita dinner catered by Rosa’s completed the evening, with lots of storytelling.

Sunday racing got interesting. Although Duane Hebdige’s lead was secured by four bullets, Sunday’s first race went to Steve Flunker, and the second race by Annie Lancaster.  Adrian Garza was third for the fifth race in a row, but broke his consistency streak with a fifth in race six. His teammate from Mexico, Carlos Peña, had consistent middle finishes and never had a bad race, and secured a podium spot. Fleet was in for lunch before the heat arrived.

Final standings were First, Duane Hebdige; Second, Steve Flunker; Third, Adrian Garza; Fourth, Annie Lancaster; and Fifth, Carlos Peña.

Lake Worth Sailing Club presented a Club Burgee to our visiting team from Mexico.

L to R: Regional rep Scott Shirley, Carlos Peña, Miranda Nieto (with Burgee) Adrian Garza, and coach Nikolay Borrisov from Nuevo León.

L to R: LWSC Fleet Captain Carrie Hatfield; 1st Duane Hebdige; 2nd Steve Flunker; 3rd Adrian Garza; 4th Annie Lancaster; and 5th Carlos Peña. Duane qualified for 2027 Worlds. 

The 2026 Lake Naomi ISCA Invitational Regatta, held at Lake Naomi on August 15, 2026, included 48 boats (50 registrants). Results as follows:

Adults:

• 1st Place.   Steve Manson.     5 Pts
• 2nd Place.  Remy Sultanik.    10 Pts
• 3rd Place.   Brian Lowe.          19 Pts

Juniors:

• 1st Place.     Teddy Kinyon.      29 Pts
• 2nd Place.    Tyler Fazio.          41 Pts
• 3rd Place.     Jake Bacon.         47 Pts

Lake Naomi won the Club Championship with a total of 126 Points, ahead of Deer Lake with a total of 218 Points.  A fun day was had by all. Thank you Mark Chotkowski for sending the write up and photos! 

Submitted by Jake Bacon

I spend my summers sailing on Lake Naomi in Pocono Pines, PA, and over the years it has become an important part of both my summers and my life. I have earned the Lake Naomi fleet championship twice and the Owaissa Cup, but this year's Mid-Atlantic Championship was different from anything I had done previously. 

My aim going into the weekend had simply been to sail well, to pick up as much knowledge as I could, and to find out how well I would fare in a highly competitive Sunfish fleet. I was very proud of finishing as the top junior and ninth in the overall standings, but the moment I will probably remember most was when I won the sixth race of the regatta. The fact that I crossed the line first in a fleet made up of so many experienced sailors gave me the confidence that I can compete at this level and made me want to keep improving. 

What surprised me most during the weekend wasn't the racing itself but the people. I had the opportunity to meet sailors from outside Lake Naomi who have been racing Sunfish for years, and a great number of them took the time to speak with me, congratulate me, offer me advice and ask me what I plan to do next. They discussed with me many ways in which I could improve my sailing, other regattas that I should enter, and even how sailing could be incorporated into my college arrangements. There was a real feeling that all of them wanted to see younger sailors succeed and become a part of the community. 

Although I have always seen sailing as something I enjoy at Lake Naomi, this weekend has made me realize that it can be much more than that. The competition had been serious while we were on the water, but as soon as we got off the water everyone was part of the same group. I left the weekend feeling proud of the way I had sailed, but even more excited about the future possibilities for sailing.

Thank you Lake Naomi Club for posting these fantastic photos of KIDS having fun in boats!

The AYC fleet continues to build and is looking forward to hosting a Southeast Regional Championship November 6-7, 2027. 

What separates your best races from the ones where a mistake, bad break, or moment of frustration takes you out of your game?

Join mental performance coach and former collegiate sailing coach Brian Swingly for an interactive webinar designed to give you practical tools you can use before, during, and after racing. We’ll explore how the mental side fits alongside technique, equipment, strategy, and tactics, and how to prepare yourself to perform when it matters.

Participants will learn how to:

• Build a purposeful morning routine

• Recognize how pressure and frustration show up while racing

• Reset and reengage after mistakes or setbacks

• Identify the mental “lies” that interfere with performance

• Reflect, learn, and release at the end of each day

You’ll build your own Regatta Performance Plan during the session and leave with a personalized set of tools you can put to work at your next event.  More about Brian Swingly CLICK HERE

Submitted by Chip Toth

Almost two years ago my wife and I moved from Rochester, New York to Charlotte, North Carolina. The south allows us to see a few of our adult children, grandkids, and offers a longer season for sailing. What I miss are the top-shelf sailors from the Rochester Canoe Club: Kaukeinen, Ingham, and many more are very good sailors and also very generous in sharing lessons learned and techniques for the sport.

It did not take long to find a sailing club here. The Catawba Yacht Club (CYC) has a beautiful location on Lake Wylie with sailors filling a mix of fleets, including M Scows, Flying Scots, Lightnings, and more. However, there were no Sunfish on the property other than one that was worthy of an “accidental” sinking. I soon learned that the club had been receiving many requests for a Learn to Sail clinic but had not offered one in its hundred-year history, although the board of directors supported it.

In the fall of 2025, we gathered a team of twelve members interested in creating our first Learn to Sail clinic and scheduled two in June 2026. The team consisted of individuals with a variety of talents: photography, web design, marketing and communications, administration, clinic curriculum, teaching resources, and boat purchasing. Together we planned, set four clinic goals, and got the word out for the June clinics. Our goal was ten registrants per clinic.

By June 2026 we had fifteen participants (students) ranging from  9 to 80 years old. The first clinic ran Monday to Friday mornings, targeting youths just out of school for the summer. The second clinic ran Monday to Friday evenings, targeting working adults. Most clinic days began with a short teaching at the whiteboard on the club porch. We served light refreshments and gave a few nutrition lessons as well. We then moved to the beach to rig the Sunfish in teams of two. Once rigged we moved out on the water with accompanying Sunfish and motorized skiffs for active coaching.

What transpired was an amazing experience for both the staff and the clinic participants: all fifteen students achieved the four clinic goals 

1. Able to assemble and disassemble a Sunfish
2. Able to launch a Sunfish from the land, head out to a race course, and return to land
3. Able to sail a triangular course
4. Right the sailboat after capsizing

During the clinics, the volunteer staff engaged the participants with enthusiasm, skill, and self-giving service. Our on-land “trainer” proved to be effective and instrumental for getting sailors ready for the on-water experience. We had drone footage of the clinic sailors, which was helpful for training back in the classroom.

In the end, three clinic registrants committed their families to register for CYC club membership, and we were able to use revenue from the clinics to purchase additional Sunfish and equipment.

We are now approaching our third Learn to Sail clinic in early October with registrations coming in. This clinic will support adults ages 18 and over. We plan to also run a five day “Sail Camp” next Spring for ages 13-18 and later offer a Learn to Race clinic for those who have completed the Learn to Sail clinic. 

If interested in starting your own clinic, reach out to Chip Toth (chip@leadersinspire.net) to discuss planning, arranging and a curriculum.

For links and photos of the Learn to Sail clinics: 

https://learntosail.catawbayachtclub.org/Homehttps://www.facebook.com/share/v/14pBQJyf3uu/

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD3Q4S

ISCA/USSCA Class Administrator

www.sunfishclass.org    info@sunfishclass.org  404-451-7743