Venice
Women’s Sailing Squadron
“The Bitter Ends”
Meeting location is
Venice Yacht
Club VYBA Pram Shed at 1330 Tarpon Center Drive Venice,
Florida 34285
The Venice Women’s Sailing Squadron (VWSS) started in September
of 1976. It was organized by Nancy Herron and began with
twelve members. Since that time over 200 women have joined and
raced on Roberts Bay in Optimist Prams, International Optimist
Dinghies (Optis) and Sunfish.
The VWSS is a member of the
Florida Women’s
Sailing Association (FWSA) with the nickname of The Bitter
Ends. The FWSA was founded in 1973 and is made up of ten member
squadrons. Each squadron has a fun, nautical nickname. We,
the Bitter Ends, are proud to say we’ll stick together until the
bitter end! The FWSA promotes and encourages the growth of
women’s sailing up and down the west coast of Florida and gives
us the opportunity to race at the other clubs’ venues and to
host their clubs here on Roberts Bay.
In 2019, the VWSS became a Sunfish racing club. Squadron
members own or lease Sunfish that are either stored in the
boatyard of the
Venice
Youth Boating Association (VYBA) or trailered to Higel
Marine Park. On Wednesday mornings from September through
May, the Sunfish fleet races on Roberts Bay using various types
of race courses set up by a committee boat. On rainy days or
when there is just too much wind, we conduct educational
sessions on racing rules, tactics, sail trim, nautical terms and
boat handling. Squadron members form lasting friendships,
bonding together to celebrate times of joy and sorrow,
supporting each other to the “bitter end.”
Club members range in age from the early 50’s to the 90’s.
A full club sailing member can become an Anchor member (non
sailing) after racing with the club for two years. Club
membership for the 2020-2021 season is $150/year, Anchor
membership is $35/year. Boat rental and storage fees are
determined annually. The club’s primary focus is sailing but
social events and summer activities are also offered. Come feel
the sea breeze blowing while you challenge the elements and make
some lifelong friendships.
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