Intro to PNWO & ORC - Sunday, Oct 26 @ 10AM

Sunday, October 26, 2026: 10AM to noon at Portland Yacht Club

Join us for a presentation to introduce PNWO 2026! 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!

PNWO will be using Offshore Racing Congress (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 is open to all who are interested in learning more about ORC or are considering making the transition, whether you plan to race in the PNWO or not.

US Sailing Offshore Director and Chief Measurer Chris Tutmark will join via Zoom to answer any lingering ORC questions.

Admission is free and open to all. Food/beverages will be available for purchase.

Zoom link to follow for remote participants.

RSVP here (not required, but helps organizers plan ahead!): https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSd7fTXfjmTh0u.../viewform

PNWO 2026 Entrant - Free Bowl of Soup

Pacific NW Offshore is delighted to welcome our first entrant, and winner of the PNWO 2025 ORC-Overall Division, Free Bowl of Soup!

“‘Oh, this is the worst-looking hat I ever saw. What, when you buy a hat like this, I bet you get a free bowl of soup, huh? Oh, it looks good on you though.’- Movie Caddyshack, Al Czervik (Rodney Dangerfield)

An obvious (at least to us) pick for a boat name... Team Soup is about having fun and sailing fast; we believe they go hand-in-hand and not forget to maintain good karma. Time is flying—this will be our fourth Offshore with the new-to-us, Club Swan 42 Soup, and our thirteenth overall. We’re excited about the continued growth and use of ORC ratings and scoring, along with the great mix of long-time racers and newcomers joining us for this epic 50th edition!

P.S. Huge thanks to our Race Title sponsor, Schooner Creek Boat Works, for their support and for keeping us in racing shape, and to Platinum Sponsor, Goslings Rum, for...well making and sharing great rum! #FreeBowlofSoupRacing”

Eric Hopper, Doug Schenk, Matt Davis, and crew - we look forward to seeing you in Ilwaco!

#pnwo2026 #ilwacotovictoria #50forthe50th

Portland Yacht Club

Discover Ilwaco

ORC - Offshore Racing Congress

PNWO 2025 Kickoff Party

Wednesday, April 30, 2025: 6:00 PM @ Portland Yacht Club

Pacific NW Offshore Kickoff Party

This is an open invitation to all PNWO skippers, crews, and race supporters to join us at the Portland Yacht Club for the annual kickoff party. The kitchen and bar will be open. No need to be a member of PYC. It’s an annual ritual and for those of you from out of town, a Zoom link will be posted here in the next few days. Pass the word.

See you in Ilwaco!

WSoS To Race or Not, Criteria and Texting

WSOS Skippers,

At our CYC Board Meeting last night the question of why and when do we make the call about canceling races for WSoS. The agreed upon criteria is a safety question. For example, if the air temperature is such that, even if it is a clear day, spray on to the deck would start to freeze so foredeck sailors would be in jeopardy of slipping, then no racing. Likewise, if it is snowing, no racing. If the wind chill because of big breezes combined with low temperatures is a risk of hypothermia even on deck, then no racing. The point is that whether on the deck or in the water edge case temperatures and conditions must be reckoned with by cancelling races. I note the Soup owners said the water temperature under their boat at PYC the other day was around 38 degrees. 'Nuff said.

The next question is how far in advance do we cancel and how do we communicate it? Because email is the new snail mail now that just about everyone text messages and because some sailors do not look at their email every hour or so, we have been cancelling the day before. However, the current consensus is that we should wait till the morning of the race to make the call because conditions are so variable (see two weeks ago). So, we are going to make the call no later than 9:00 on Sunday mornings as to cancellations. We will send out an email and also a text message to those of you who have checked the box when you signed up agreeing to receive text messages. If you did not check that box, send me a note and I can open your file and do it for you. ddamore33@gmail.com

Finally, please remember, that under RRS, the decision whether to race or not is within the sole and exclusive discretion of the skipper. You know yourself, your crew, and your boat. Irrespective of whether CYC-WSoS runs a race or not, it is your decision whether to be out there or not. Always err on the side of being safe. Note: I'm also texting this email so that you'll know whether you checked that little box. 

See you on the river,
Denny

Past Events - Introduction to PNWO 2025

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

Upcoming Events!

Saturday, February 1, 2025: 10AM to noon @ 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. Zoom link to follow for remote participants.

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

Introduction to Offshore Racing Congress (ORC)

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 is open to all who are interested in learning more about ORC or are considering making the transition, whether you plan to race in the PNWO or not. Admission is free and open to all. Food/beverages will be available for purchase. Zoom link to follow for remote participants.

Sailing on Sundays Food Drive

Winter Sailing on Sundays Skippers, Crews, and Supporters,

Good Day Sailing on Sundays Sailors!  We are kicking off our 6th annual Food Drive for the Oregon Food Bank.  In the first 5 years of this drive we've raised almost $10,000.00!


Join us after the race December 15, 2024 (motor past us-we'll be on Iris) and let us supply you with some Holiday refreshments. Communicate with us on 72 to let us know how many you'll need!


We've set up a donation page that you can link to below- 

https://give.oregonfoodbank.org/SailingSunday6

 

Thanks for supporting this cause over the last 5 years- and for helping out again this year. 

Have a great Holiday and see you on the River!

McCuddy's Marinas
Corinthian Yacht Club of Portland

Race Week PNW 2025 Moves to Bellingham!

Race Week PNW has announced the move to Bellingham, WA from Anacortes, WA beginning with the 2025 season.

The event is scheduled July 21-25, 2025 and will be based out of Squalicum Harbor. The move is designed to continue to grow this annual event and involve more fleets.

Save the Date: Registration opens January 1, 2025!

Check out the link for more information https://www.raceweekpnw.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