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Ahoy, Sailors! 🌊
Inside your newsletter this month:
American Sailing Certifications
- From beginner to advanced, chart your course with our upcoming classes!
Let's Celebrate!
- 250th Anniversary! Fourth of July: Independence Day Fireworks Cruise
Club Events
- December Flotilla - British Virgin Islands
- Friday Night Fireworks Cruises in July
- Cruzan Rum Races
- Wednesday Night Sailboat Races: Series 4 / Series 5
- Sunday, Peanut Sails
School News and Highlights
- Congratulations! 7 New Basic Keelboat Graduates!
- Instructor Olen Howard
Spotlight Sailing
- Upcoming Bay Cup II Regatta, September 26
- Harvest Moon Regatta Race Week: Please join us for a 150 NM journey from Galveston to Port Aransas.
Sailing Tip of the Month
Toolbox
- Interested in owning your own vessel? Murray Yacht Sales Open Boat Saturday
- Skippering Opportunities
- Club Membership Benefits
To book your next outing or ask questions, give us a call at (281) 334-4606!
Fair winds,
The Crew at South Coast Sailing Adventures
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December 2026 Flotilla
British Virgin Islands
December 3rd - December 13th
| Please join South Coast Sailing Adventures as we explore the gem of the Caribbean Islands for an island-hopping odyssey in the British Virgin Islands! | | |
This December, trade the dull colors of winter for tropical blooms, turquoise water, warm trade winds, and the soulful culture of the British Virgin Islands. December’s legendary “Christmas winds” deliver perfect sailing conditions, making this one of the most sought-after experiences in the world for sailors and adventurers alike. This flotilla is your chance to live the dream and experience the cruising lifestyle for 10 days and 10 nights.
Sail from one breathtaking island to the next, drop anchor in crystal-clear bays, and wake up each day somewhere new and unforgettable. Every stop brings its own magic. Explore paradise with hidden beaches, reefs with vibrant marine life, lively beach bars, and create unforgettable memories from the moment you arrive.
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Take this opportunity to discover what "island time" is all about and immerse yourself in the beauty, rhythm and culture of The British Virgin Islands.
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Snorkel or scuba dive
at The Indians
| | Witness breathtaking Caribbean sunsets | | |
Flotillas combine the freedom of bareboat chartering with the added comfort, security and camaraderie of group travel.
Reserve your cabin or private vessel by calling our office at (281) 334-4606 or emailing lucy@southcoastsailing.com. Cabin selection based on first come first served. Don't miss your boat!
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Let's Celebrate!
Fireworks Cruise
250th Anniversary Independence Day
Saturday, July 4th
Cheers for the Red, White, Blue - Celebrate the country's 250th anniversary on an exclusive 3-hour captained cruise. View the 4th of July fireworks over Galveston Bay aboard the best seats in town!
Independence Day celebrates the birth of American freedom, and there is no finer way to honor that spirit than to connect past and present with the 250-year-old tradition of fireworks.
The celebratory sailing event on Galveston Bay mirrors the ultimate freedom of the seas. Experience the same vast, unrestricted horizons that symbolize liberty to our founders and heroes.
Share the cost of an evening charter with other sailing enthusiasts. Boats will fill up fast! You are welcome to bring your own food and beverages to enjoy on board!
Schedule
•Arrive at South Coast Sailing at 7:00 p.m. for check-in and Captain briefing.
•Depart by 7:30 p.m. and enjoy a 3-hour cruise with a USCG-licensed captain
•4th of July fireworks 9:30 p.m.
•Complete your trip with a leisurely sail back to the dock
Private Cruises Available
Book a private cruise to make the night exclusive. Call to book a charter with your family and friends at (281) 334-4606.
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The energy around the marina is building, and we can't wait to share an incredible summer with you!
Whether you want to sharpen your skills in one of our upcoming sailing classes or connect with fellow sailors at club events, there's no better place to spend your summer than out on the water.
We look forward to seeing familiar faces, welcoming new members to our sailing community, and creating unforgettable memories together all season.
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Wednesday Night Sailboat Races
Only 2 Series left: 8 Races!
Series 4: July 15, 22 & 29, Aug 5
Series 5: Aug 19 & 26, Sept 2 & 9
This is the kind of midweek reset that’s hard to beat!
Join the South Coast crew for the Wednesday Night Sailboat Races.
Series 3 was another good time! Great sailing, great company, and just the right dose of friendly competition.
The 2026 series continues through September, offering crowd-pleasing, gently competitive races, giving new and seasoned sailors the opportunity to put learned skills into action. Whether you’re building confidence or sharpening trim, it’s a welcoming, supportive environment to grow as a sailor and log some nautical miles along the way.
See links on the left "Upcoming Events" for Series 4 to register for upcoming dates.
We’ll see you out there!
Register for the upcoming Series 4, Race 1
July 15 on the link below!
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Saturday, Bay Cup II Regatta
September 26th
3,2,1...Go! We invite you to be part of the annual Bay Cup Regatta series - a season of exciting racing, skill-building, and great camaraderie on and off the water.
Bay Cup I on Saturday, March 7, was a huge success! There was an abundance of laughter, fun and challenge! We can't wait for Bay Cup II!
Whether you're sharpening your competitive edge or gaining valuable experience, this series offers:
- Fun and challenging racing
- Informative debriefs and learning opportunities
- A supportive and welcoming sailing community
Come sail, learn, compete and connect. We look forward to seeing you at the starting line!
You will need to bring your own food and drink to enjoy during the day sail.
The race is sponsored by Lakewood Yacht Club and organized by Bay Access.
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39th Annual Harvest Moon Regatta Race Week
October 21-28
October marks the arrival of our most anticipated tradition: the Harvest Moon Regatta. Cruising World first dubbed it "a howling good time", and four decades later, this legendary race remains a bucket-list favorite for sailors of all experience levels. The October tradition facilitates guided support for journey making and a definitive opportunity for developing sailors to join an unforgettable offshore odyssey.
Since its 1987 debut with fewer than 20 boats, the annual Harvest Moon Regatta has surged in popularity, drawing a fleet of over 200 by 2019. This gateway into offshore sailing is an opportunity to turn your open-water goals into a new milestone, experience overnight sailing, and build confidence for long-distance trips.
The adventure begins as sailors navigate from Seabrook to Galveston via the Houston Ship Channel, arriving at Galveston’s iconic Pleasure Pier for the start of the race. After arriving at Pleasure Pier, the 150-nautical mile race sets off for Port Aransas (Port A), for a 2 day and night offshore journey. The October evenings, dominated by the harvest moon, light the sparkling waters as the journey continues and each sailor becomes an integral part of the racing crew.
Big celebration on Saturday night in Port A! Attend the Sailor Rum Party and awards ceremony. We are proud of our South Coast sailors who have placed in the top 3 winners for their class over the years!
The journey back to Seabrook is full of possibilities. More adventure and nautical miles guaranteed! We will be in and out of the Intracoastal Waterway, depending on weather conditions, where communication with commercial traffic is necessary. Learn why cruising sailors make the choice to travel "The Ditch" stretching from Brownsville, TX to Boston, MA. Discover more about the Intracoastal Waterway here, trust us, it's worth exploring. The return trip gives sailors the possibility to traverse locks, potentially anchor in Offatts Bayou (in front of Moody Gardens), practice VHF radio skills, and to experience what true bareboat cruising and gunkholing means.
We will be offering ASA 103, 104, 106, & 114 during Harvest Moon Regatta race week. Register with South Coast Sailing to take a course during The Harvest Moon Regatta.
Whether you’re looking to gain valuable offshore experience, strengthen your sailing resume, master the open seas, or earn certifications, the Harvest Moon Regatta is the ultimate hands-on classroom.
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View pricing for the regatta and plan your adventure below. Please call South Coast Sailing Adventures (281) 334-4606 for assistance in planning, questions, and for registration.
| | | School News and Highlights | | Congratulations! 7 New Basic Keelboat Graduates! | | Thank you for being a part of our sailing community new Basic Keelboat graduates! Pictured here are just a few of the many graduates we’ve celebrated in June! | |
Your sailing journey is just getting started, and your next steps are all about building confidence.
- Schedule your Skipper Skill Building session asap to help solidify the skills you learned in class.
- Schedule your free four-hour charter and bring out family and friends.
- Get more practice by joining us on our group sails.
- Check out the upcoming dates for ASA 103 Basic Coastal Cruising classes
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Instructors: Olen Howard and Steven Simpson
We are proud of our new graduates! They thought about sailing, they stepped on board, they worked hard, and they achieved!
We can't wait to see where the wind blows them next.
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Instructor Olen Howard
Olen Howard is an ASA-certified instructor for Basic Keelboat, Coastal Cruising and Bareboat Chartering. He was hooked on the water after a friend took him sailing on Galveston Bay in 1987. Since then, he has gained incredible experience sailing in locations including San Diego Bay, Massachusetts Bay, Penobscot Bay, and The Gulf of America. He continues to be a presence in local regattas and is an anchor to our instruction team. His passion for sailing built a rich knowledgebase, which has benefited so many students.
Olen has a unique way of feeling out a student's strengths, personality traits, and learning styles. His observations help him tailor the learning experience to each student out on the water. When Olen talks to you, it feels like you're the only one in the room. He is calm and attentive, with the ability to make students feel like they are his focus. He prides himself in challenging his students to trust their intuition and supports the development of a student's independence.
There are many reasons why Olen is one of our favorite instructors. He loves to share his expertise, leads many ASA courses for students, and is one of our most dependable instructors.
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Rain, Wind, and Good Seamanship
Mother Nature has been making her presence known lately, with weeks of steady rain, passing thunderstorms, and more wet weather than many of us can remember. Here at South Coast Sailing, even our newest sailors are encouraged to start developing an understanding of weather awareness and preparedness. Here are a few tips to use when planning your sail and some key indicators of developing weather systems.
Most sailors today have access to weather radars and forecast apps on their phones. Before heading to the marina, take time to review the marine forecast, radar, and any weather alerts that may be in effect. Pay attention to wind speed, thunderstorms, lightening potential, and any small craft advisories.
When planning a distant sail or taking a trip on your own, a sailor should be equipped with a Very High Frequency (VHF) radio. VHF radios have specific "wx" weather broadcasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or NOAA. This government entity is also our trusted resource for the Galveston Bay Marine Weather Forecast.
Seasoned mariners understand how to read local cloud formations and notice shifts in wind patterns. Towering cumulonimbus clouds with dark, flat bases indicate incoming swells, heavy downpours, and sudden wind shifts. An "anvil" shape at the top of these clouds, signals mature thunderstorms capable of producing lightning.
Learning about the signs of changing weather is fun and interesting. Sailors can work to understand different relationships between wind direction and barometric pressure to determine if a low-pressure system is coming in or passing at a distance. When these changes in atmospheric conditions are detected, a crew can drop or reef their sails, get into their weather gear, and ready the vessel for incoming weather, long before the rain.
ASA 119 Marine Weather Endorsement teaches all about how to prepare for and embrace varying weather conditions when observing signs of nature's changes. Please call us if you want to learn more about the Marine Weather Endorsement. (281) 334-4606
A little rain doesn't automatically cancel a day on the water. Sailing often means adapting to changing conditions and learning how to work with the weather rather than avoiding it.
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Interested in Owning Your Own Vessel?
Murray Yacht Sales Open Boat Saturdays
Watergate Marina
Murray Yacht Sales' Open Boat Saturdays is your neighborhood opportunity to step aboard a variety of vessels and envision your next adventure or make an educated decision on a new addition to your fleet.
When shopping for a boat, working with a professional broker is the best way to navigate the buying process, as they provide expert market analysis, handle complex paperwork, and protect your financial interests.
Captain Lucy is not just the heart of South Coast Sailing; she is also a broker for Murray Yacht Sales and is available to assist you in the boating market. She is an incredible resource for making an educated buying decision, comparing specifications, and providing real-time market insights tailored to your unique boating goals.
Stop by Watergate Marina between 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
During monthly open boat Saturdays with Murray Yacht Sales! Explore buying options and discover what you love, sailboats!
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South Coast Sailing Club
Join South Coast Sailing Club to take advantage of all club member benefits! Give us a call and we'll tell you about the fun we have!
- Enjoy 40% discount on weekday bareboat charters
- 20% discount on weekend bareboat charters
- Discounts on monthly events including club cruises, day sails, regattas/ races
- Discounts on ASA courses
- Camaraderie with fellow sailors
- The club membership includes family members within the same household.
- Your initiation fee includes: an official South Coast Sailing Club burgee, South Coast "I'd rather be sailing" bumper sticker and window decal.
- $599 per year and a one-time $100 initiation fee
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Club Skipper Opportunities
Add to your sailing resume by skippering club events.
We encourage our sailors who have earned their ASA 101, 103, 104, and 118 certifications to skipper our club events! Stepping into the skipper role is a great way to build confidence, gain real-world experience, and develop strong leadership skills on the water. By skippering, you not only get valuable practice in planning, decision-making, docking and crew management, but you also have the opportunity to join in on the fun. As a thank-you for leading a club sail, you’ll receive a special coupon toward an upcoming club event. It’s a rewarding way to grow and keep your sailing journey moving forward! Club sails are held almost every weekend!
If you are interested in becoming a club skipper, click below to let us know!
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“At sea I learned how little a person needs, not how much"
-Robin Graham
| | | South Coast Sailing Adventures | 913 N. Meyer Ave. | Seabrook, TX 77586 US | | | | |
