Past Events - Introduction to PNOW

Past Events

Saturday, February 1, 2025: 10AM to noon @ Portland Yacht Club

Introduction to the Pacific NW Offshore (PNWO) Race

This was a well attended introduction with about 50 sailors at PYC and more online. Doug Schenk, Eric Hopper, Jeff Stong, and Craig Garrison did a great job with the race introduction. The Zoom recording link and link to the presentation is here:

Repost Reminder of Coming Events - Intro PNWO Feb 1, Intro ORC Feb 8

Saturday, February 1, 2025: 10AM to noon @ the Portland Yacht Club 

Introduction to the Pacific NW Offshore (PNWO) Race 

Join us for a presentation to introduce PNWO 2025! We welcome past, present, and potential entrants, and anyone who is interested in learning more about the event. Doug Schenk, Eric Hopper, Jeff Stong, and Craig Garrison will be discussing the race history, course, safety requirements, updates for this year, and much more! Admission is free and open to all. Food/beverages will be available for purchase. Message us if you would like to join via Zoom.

Saturday, February 8, 2025: 10AM to noon @ Portland Yacht Club

Introduction to Offshore Racing Congress Handicap Rating System 

Pacific NW Offshore will be using ORC as the primary scoring method again this year. Although you can still use your PHRF rating for the cruising category, if you want to be scored in the overall category, you will need an ORC rating. This introduction to ORC is open to all who are interested in learning more about ORC or are considering making the transition, irrespective of whether you plan to race in the PNWO or not. Admission is free and open to all. Food/beverages will be available for purchase.

PNWO "Safety at Sea" In-the Water Training - Vancouver Feb 23

Pacific NW Offshore Racers

If any of you are planning to do the Pacific NW Offshore (PNWO), there is a requirement that a percentage of your crew needs to have taken the online course (Modules 1-15) of Safety at Sea within the last 5 years. There is an option to take the in-the-water so called International Offshore additional certification for the PacCup, Transpac, etc. The Seattle course for this year is full. There is a class here in Vancouver, Washington on February 23rd, but it is filling up. Details and links are below. Keep in mind that the only requirement for the PNWO is the online course. But note also, if you intend to take the in-the-water course, you must have completed the online course no later than 10 days before the in-the-water course. That course is one month out. 'Nuff said. 

D

Online Course

Safety at Sea: Offshore (Online course) Units 1-15

Covers all 15 units from Giving Assistance, Personal Safety Gear, Care and Maintenance of Safety Gear, Fire Safety, Crew Overboard, Cold Exposure, Crew Health, Marine Weather, Heavy Weather, Storm Sails and Reefing, Damage Control, Search and Rescue, Signals, Emergency Communications, and Life Rafts. This is the most comprehensive training in preparation for the Hands-On course which is required for the International Offshore certificate (World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations Appendix G compliant).

As the National Governing Body for the Sport of Sailing, we are the only organization in the United States sanctioned by World Sailing to issue Safety at Sea certificates.

Duration - Approximately 12-13 hours. You can log in and out at your convenience to complete the course.

Cost of the Course

US Sailing Members, $125.00  (discount code found in your "Member Login" account under Member Coupons and Benefits. You need to apply the code at the time of purchase). Non-members, $150.00. If you note your US Sailing member number when registering for the course, the course completion will be written back to your membership record.

https://www.firsttack.org/page/6261/offshore-safety-at-sea

Vancouver "International" Course - February 23

https://thesailingfoundation.org/what-we-do/safety-at-sea/

--

Dennis Damore

ddamore33@gmail.com

2025 Pacific NW Offshore Registration is OPEN!

We depart Ilwaco, WA for Victoria, BC on May 15, 2025!

Register here:

https://www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/applet_registration_form.php?regatta_id=28867

Check out current registrants:

https://www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/applet_registrant_list.php?regatta_id=28867&custom_report_id=167

Thank you to all of our new and returning sponsors! Schooner Creek Boat Works has been an enduring Title sponsor for eight years, and we are delighted to announce Goslings Rum as a new Platinum sponsor for the 2025 season.

PNWO Gear Store Now Open

Pacific NW Offshore Skippers, Crews, Support Teams, and Fans,

We dug in this year and added our own Gear Store on the PNWO website! Cool no? Here's the link: https://www.cycportland.org/store. Order hats, T-shirts, vests, etc. We'll ship them to you or bring them to Ilwaco. Don't delay. Tell your friends and crew mates. See the hat below.

PNWO Kickoff Party Changed to Wednesday, May 1 at PYC

Along with all the other changes we’ve made this year, we’ve moved the PNWO kickoff party to Wednesday May 1 and changed the venue to Portland Yacht Club. It should make parking easier, and it’s a more “nautical” environment. We’ll have samples of all of this year’s race shirts, hats, etc. to view and the online store will be available for you to make purchases in time for delivery before the race. Mark your calendars. See you at PYC at 6:00. The bar and kitchen will be open.

PNWO Race Gear Ordering Extension - to be delivered in Ilwaco

Pacific NW Offshore Racers,

News from Mary Hartel our Gear Master:

ALL MERCHANDISE TO BE DELIVERED AT SKIPPERS MEETING

Good News:  The merchandise ordering window has been extended to April 30, 2023 (midnight)!

More Good News:  There are no shipping fees! 

Additional News: There will be no shipping.  All items will be available for pick up in Ilwaco, May 10, 2023. 

The link is still the same and working. https://www.companycasuals.com/PNWO/start.jsp

Go get some swag. Tell your crew and shore support. 

See you in Ilwaco,

Denny Damore
PNWO Race Captain

Pacific NW Offshore Race Gear (Deadline) and Ilwaco

Pacific NW Offshore Racers/Crew and Supporters

We are only a couple of weeks out from the race, and we have some updates.

First, we are using a different vendor this year for race gear, and although very late, we finally have a working website to buy T-shirts, hats, bags, etc. for the race. Ugh, but there is a DEADLINE TO ORDER IF YOU WANT THEM FOR THE RACE. IT IS NEXT TUESDAY, APRIL 25!!! The link is below. The site will stay up for all of May, but to get the products before the race you must order by next Tuesday. Please pass the link to your crew and friends. Given shipping costs, it will pay to aggregate your order. Your call. 

Second, attached is a flyer detailing restaurant availability on Tuesday May 9th and Wednesday May 10th. These are usually the days that these restaurants are closed. They are opening just for us. Please provide them with business. Note also that the hospitality suite has been moved to the second floor of the Salt Restaurant because the old location next to the port office has been sold.

If you are a racer, check-in is Wednesday between 3 - 5 on the second floor of the Salt Restaurant to pick up trackers, etc. Skippers meeting (skipper and crew only) is in the same location at 5:30. 

More to follow.

See you in Ilwaco.

Denny Damore
PNWO Race Captain

Craig Garrison
CYC Vice Commodore

Kells Update and Sailing Instructions

Pacific NW Offshore Racers

A quick update. There may be some confusion about the Kickoff Get Together next Monday at 6:00. It's at the Kells Brewery on 21st in Portland NW. The address is: 210 NW 21st Street. 

The Sailing Instructions have now been published on the race website: www.pacificnwoffshore.org under Race Information. They will also be available on the Notice Board, www.sailpdx.org. They are only 2 pages. Please review and keep a paper and electronic copy on your boat (belt and suspenders, don't ya know). There are key links and data embedded. A big thank you to Eric Rimkus for writing them and Mike Turner for reviewing and agreeing to be our judge up in Victoria. 

We have confirmed that Bruce Hedrick (www.sailish.com) will do a weather briefing at the skippers meeting on Wednesday evening. Thank you Bruce. 

That's it for now.

See you in Ilwaco,
Denny Damore
CYC Pacific NW Offshore Race Captain

Kickoff Get Together and other notes

Pacific NW Offshore Racers,

 OH MY! The race is one month out! Sneaks up on you (and me) doesn't it. Lot's of final details to cover over the coming several weeks. There is still time for a boat to register because registration closes next Monday, April 17. If there is a boat that is interested and can pull it together, please have them contact me or Craig Garrison, now.

 It's been awhile since I've posted. Clearly I'm wearing too many hats. Craig has been a trouper with this year's race, and handling lots of tasks in my absence. Thank you Craig. If you are a skipper and haven't scheduled or been in contact with Craig about your inspection, please give him a jingle and while you're at it thank him for all his hard work. 

As to the Kickoff Get Together, it'll be at Kells on 23rd like last year. It's this Monday April 17 at 6:00. Everyone is welcome racing or not. Pass the word.

If you are a skipper and haven't made moorage arrangements in Ilwaco or Victoria, please get on this item immediately. The links are on the website. 

The Sailing Instructions will be published on the website late today or tomorrow. No surprises. 

Look for an increasing number of mails from me as we tidy up loose ends. 

See you in Ilwaco,
Denny Damore
CYC Race Captain

 

A few reminders - PNWO introduction, Safety at Sea

Pacific NW Offshore Racers 

A few reminders:

  • Pacific NW Offshore Introduction

    • Saturday Feb 4 at 10:00 at PYC. Doug Schenk, Eric Hopper, and Craig Garrison have put together a straightforward presentation introducing the event to those who haven't ever done it as well as folks who may have done it awhile ago. The NOR is available at the following link for your review. This is free and open to anyone irrespective if you are a PYC member. 

  • As of a few days ago, the Vancouver Safety at Sea session had only 10 slots left. Quick like a bunny if you want to attend. Link: https://thesailingfoundation.org/what-we-do/safety-at-sea/

  • PNWO NOR: PNWO Notice of Race 

See you in Ilwaco,

Denny Damore

CYC Pacific NW Offshore Race Captain

Registration for PNWO 2023 is now open

Just in time for the holidays, CYC registration is now open for the Schooner Creek Boat Works Pacific NW Offshore. We’re headed back to Victoria, BC with our post race barbecue and awards at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club. Nevertheless, we want to send a big shout out to the folks at Port Angeles Yacht Club for all their help and hospitality over the last two years. The race will have Ilwaco, Washington as our host city again for the start. Our dates are two weeks before Swiftsure, May 11-14, 2023, which is a great shakedown race to get you, your boat, and your crew ready to kick behind in Victoria over the Memorial Day in one of the Swiftsure races. The registration link at Regatta Network is: PNWO Registration

See you in Ilwaco.

CYC Board and Schooner Creek Boat Works

Kick-off Get Together at Kells Brewery

Pacific NW Offshore Skippers, Crew, and Supporters,

KICKOFF GET TOGETHER, Monday April 18 (one week out): We have decided to go ahead with a traditional “kickoff,” in-person, get together here in Portland on April 18. The tradition goes back many years having been held at Kells Irish Pub in downtown Portland, but, alas, that’s not possible for a variety of reasons. Instead, they have a smaller place, Kells Brewery, on NW 21st Street that looks perfect. [ 210 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209] They’ve given us the same deal as always, no charge for the venue, but their revenue comes from food and drink. Please bring your hungry stomachs and a healthy thirst. We’ll start at 6:00. This is NOT a skipper’s meeting or anything formal related to the NOR, SI, SERs, etc. We’ll save any of that for the Skippers Meeting and the official Notice Board. It’s just a time to celebrate getting mostly back to normal for the PNWO.

See you at Kells and Ilwaco,

Denny Damore
CYC Commodore, Pacific NW Offshore Race Captain

T-shirts, Hats, Lodging Discounts

Pacific NW Offshore Skippers, Crew, and Friends,

We are now a little more than 5 weeks out from the PNWO. We’ll be providing you with details about the race, tracker, logistics, and events going forward. Here’s today’s bullet points:

  • T-Shirts, Hats, Etc. Our marketplace at Coral Reef Sailing Apparel for hats, shirts, and other gear is now open! Here is the link: https://stores.coralreefsailing.com/pacific-northwest-offshore/shop/home With the exception of a very few number of hats that we may have at the dock in Ilwaco, we are no longer going to be inventorying product and selling it at events. The logistics are just too crazy. If you want a shirt or hat or vest or, well, any sailing gear including Gill products with this year’s logo on it, you need to buy online. The shirts and hats can be customized and there is a bulk discount if you would like to make a single purchase for your and your friends. Also, if you would like the items before the race, order soon.

  • Lodging Discounts: The Long Beach Peninsula Visitor’s Bureau has arranged for hotel discounts. You might want to take advantage. They are shown on their companion website for us at: https://pnwsailingdays.com/lodging/

That’s it for now. More to follow every few days until the race.

Race Update 3/11 - Finish Destination, etc.

Pacific NW Offshore Skippers, Crew, and Supporters,

This is the first of routine posts as we close in on 2 months to the start of the PNW Offshore. We currently have 22 boats registered and room for more. If you are still on the fence or know someone who is, contact me, or have them do it, to discuss their hesitancy. There's more than enough time to get ready to race, and we are full speed ahead on all preparations.
As you may have heard elsewhere, we have changed the finish destination from Victoria to Port Angeles. I could detail the reasons, but suffice it to know that a lot of thought went into the decision and with still uncertainty about the logistical issues for a race such as ours relating to getting into Canada, we felt it was better to go to Port Angeles and have a race than risking cancellation. Besides, the Port of Port Angeles, Boat Haven marina, and most especially the Port Angeles Yacht Club did an amazing job last year and have welcomed us with open arms this year. And a further besides, given the race dates, you can still get over to Victoria for the Swiftsure with only few hours on the water. Win-win.


A couple of other quick points: If you are a crew member on one of our entries, please get your waivers to your skippers and all your emergency contact numbers. I'm going to be pushing hard to get paperwork tidied up in the next several weeks. Next, we're working hard with our partner, Coral Reef, to have the web connection up shortly so you can buy shirts, hats, other gear directly from them. Look for an announcement as soon as the site is live and then make your purchases in a timely fashion so you can have them before the race. We're not going to go through the crazy ritual of handing out gear at the pre-race gathering. Goods will be shipped directly to you from Coral Reef. Finally, we're on task to figure out pre and post race gatherings given the continually shifting Covid regulatory landscape. In that regard, more to follow.

That's it for now. Let's get 25 boats on the line.

See you in Ilwaco,

Denny Damore

CYC Commodore, Pacific NW Offshore Race Captain


Safety at Sea

Pacific NW Offshore Racers,

I'm forwarding an email regarding this year's class put on by the Sailing Foundation. Follow the link in the note to get further information.

Denny Damore

CYC PNW Offshore Race Captain

Hi everyone,

We've finally got the pieces pinned down, wanted to give you a heads up to alert your racers:

The Sailing Foundation will be hosting a US Sailing International Offshore Hands-on Safety at Sea Seminar on Sunday, February 13, 2022 on Bainbridge Island. It will be a "hybrid" course; students will first complete online modules, then do the one day hands-on training. Once registration goes live, an update will be posted on our Safety at Sea page, and an email with a link to sign up will be sent out to the Safety at Sea mailing list (sign up to be on the mailing list on the Safety at Sea Page here: https://thesailingfoundation.org/what-we-do/safety-at-sea/) This course has filled up quickly in years past, and we expect this one to as well. If you want to do it, save the date, sign up to be notified, and don't wait to register.

Margaret
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