August 2026 Edition

Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary — CYC Style!

Clearwater Yacht Club proudly honored America’s 250th Anniversary with a Fourth of July weekend that captured the spirit, camaraderie, and waterfront lifestyle our members cherish. In true CYC fashion, the celebration was vibrant, welcoming, and filled with moments that reminded us why this Club feels like home.

Members and guests enjoyed a full day of festivities across the property, from delicious food and festive drink specials to a live DJ, poolside games, and a giant waterslide that kept the energy high from morning through sunset. Whether cooling off in the pool, relaxing on the Tiki Deck, or gathering along the docks, everyone found their perfect way to celebrate this historic milestone.

The Club was decked out in red, white, and blue, creating a patriotic backdrop for a day filled with laughter, connection, and pride. The sense of community was unmistakable as members came together to honor our nation’s 250 years and the traditions that make Clearwater Yacht Club such a cherished second home.

From splashes in the pool to music on the deck and smiles all around, it was a celebration to remember. Happy 250th, America!

Compass Points

New Member Mixer 7/3

We had a wonderful time welcoming the newest additions to the CYC crew at our recent New Member Mixer! It was a great evening filled with new friendships, conversations, and introductions as our newest members began getting to know the Clearwater Yacht Club family.

Our next New Member Mixer will be held on Friday, September 18, at 5:00 PM, and we invite all members to stop by and help us extend a warm CYC welcome. Whether you're a longtime member or recently joined yourself, this is a great opportunity to meet new faces, share your favorite things about the Club, and help make our newest members feel right at home. We look forward to seeing you there!

World Cup Watch Party

Members gathered for an exciting World Cup Finals Watch Party, cheering on Spain and Argentina as they battled for soccer's biggest prize. The thrilling championship match kept everyone on the edge of their seats as members enjoyed the excitement together in true CYC fashion.

From wearing team colors and celebrating every exciting moment to sharing the match with fellow soccer fans, the afternoon was filled with energy, camaraderie, and plenty of memorable moments. It was another great reminder that the biggest sporting events are even more enjoyable when experienced together with friends at Clearwater Yacht Club.

All or Nothing Pool Party 7/26

Fun was had by all at our All or Nothing Pool Party! Members and guests enjoyed an afternoon of sunshine, great music, delicious food and drinks, and plenty of laughs by the pool.

The festivities included a spirited watermelon eating contest, friendly volleyball matches, pool games, and plenty of time to relax and enjoy the waterfront with family and friends. Whether competing for bragging rights or simply soaking up the summer atmosphere, there was something for everyone.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the day such a success!

Boys & Girls Club Visits CYC!

Each year, we are proud to welcome members of the Boys & Girls Club following their educational visit to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. After a morning spent learning about marine life and conservation, the group makes a stop at CYC to enjoy lunch and relax by the waterfront.

This annual tradition is one we always look forward to. It's a wonderful opportunity to introduce local youth to our Club while supporting organizations that make a positive impact in our community. We are honored to provide a warm welcome and a delicious meal as the students wrap up a day filled with learning, exploration, and fun.

Featured Articles

Rod White, Commodore

Commodore's Corner

Dear Members,

If it gets a little warmer and more humid, the weather will be absolutely perfect. As a reminder, our pool is chilled and the drinks are cold. We also recently celebrated our 250th anniversary with good friends, and we are looking forward to an exciting year ahead with the construction of our new home.

I would like to remind everyone to please keep our club dress codes in mind. We are a Yacht Club with a rich history dating back to 1911. While we all enjoy dressing casually in the summer heat, please remember to adhere to the tradition of our club when going up for dinner.

Best regards,

Rod

Kurt Greissinger, Director & Compass Editor

True North

Did YOU watch the World Cup? According to the numbers, a record setting number of us did. The number of teams and thus the number of games played were up. And in-person attendance was also up thanks to the sheer size of our existing NFL stadiums which hosted many games. The American team did their part by keeping our hopes and dreams alive through the 4th of July weekend.

To the chagrin of many viewers, a large number of games ended in ties (or draws), some scoreless. Fortunately for us, what hasn't been even is our membership numbers. The Membership Committee has been doing a great job of attracting new members and the club has worked diligently to retain them resulting in a positive trend. A tiered referral system (see below) helps recognize and reward existing members who help bring in new members. Let's keep the momentum going so that we can continue to meet our gooooooooal!

Editor's Note

After nearly three years at the helm of this fine publication, I am sad to say that this will be my final issue. During my time we have transitioned from a print-only edition to one that is truly digital. This has enabled efficiencies and timely release of the issues. It has also ushered in a mobile responsive newsletter (yes, it does change format depending on the device you are viewing it on) and one that can and does contain web links to content, embedded files and even videos. Readership has also regularly increased to over 60%.

Every month I had the opportunity to see the "big picture" at CYC with all the wonderful submissions from all of the different employees, committees and organizations within the club. I have also learned a lot over these past few years as editor. I learned that the shoe does not tell the foot how big to grow. I learned what an amazing staff we have and lost count of the volunteer hours that our members give back to the club to make it the great place that it is today. As always, thank you for reading, thank you for your support and thank you for your contributions. See you around the club!

Yachting Committee

Kate Wall, Chair, Yachting Committee

The Yachting Committee is excited to share several upcoming opportunities to help CYC members spend more time on the water, develop new skills, and connect with fellow boating enthusiasts.

CYC Family Day at CCSC

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for CYC Family Day at the Clearwater Community Sailing Center (CCSC). This special event is open to all CYC families and is a wonderful opportunity to explore the Sailing Center and take advantage of the benefits available through CYC's corporate membership.

CCSC instructors will provide demonstrations on rigging Optimist sailboats for younger sailors, while older children and adults can enjoy Hobie sailing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and other on-the-water activities. Whether you're an experienced sailor or simply curious about getting started, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

Get Involved with Racing

The 2026–2027 racing season is just around the corner! The upcoming CYC Race Calendar with scheduled regattas and racing events throughout the season is included below.

Interested in getting involved? We are always looking for members who would like to:

Sail as crew aboard participating boats
Volunteer with the Race Committee
Learn more about competitive sailing

Watch for upcoming opportunities to join a crew and participate in race-day activities.

US Sailing Basic Race Management Seminar 8.15.26

The US Sailing Basic Race Management Seminar is also approaching and offers an excellent opportunity for both new and experienced volunteers to expand their knowledge of race management. Open to regional yacht clubs and sailing organizations, this seminar helps strengthen our Race Committee while supporting the continued growth of sailing at Clearwater Yacht Club. Please note that US Sailing membership is required to register.

Thank You

The Yachting Committee extends its sincere appreciation to the dedicated volunteers who continue to support sailing at CYC. Your time, leadership, and enthusiasm help ensure our racing program continues to thrive. A special thank you also goes to our seasonal members and our friends at Dunedin Boat Club (DBC) and Davis Island Yacht Squadron (DIYSA) for their continued partnership and support.

Join Us

Interested in learning more? The Yachting Committee meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Dry Dock Boardroom.

For additional information about the 2026–2027 CYC & DBC Racing Calendar, or to become involved, please email cycyachting@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing you on the water!

Kate Wall- Chair, Yachting Committee

Long Term Planning Committee

John Minton, Chair, LTPC/Keelstone Committee

Honoring Our Legacy. Building Our Future.

Project Keelstone has entered an exciting new phase, moving from planning into visible progress. With key contracts now signed, work is officially underway to prepare for construction of the future home of Clearwater Yacht Club.

The first priorities include geotechnical soil sampling, construction of the new seawall, and clubhouse permitting. While these may not be the most visible phases of the project, they are among the most important, laying the foundation for everything that follows. Our project team including the architect, engineers, contractors, and the Long-Term Planning Committee is working collaboratively to keep the project moving efficiently while maintaining the highest standards every step of the way.

Seawall Replacement

One of the first visible construction milestones will be the replacement of the Club's seawall. This essential infrastructure improvement must be completed before construction of the new clubhouse can begin and will help protect our waterfront while preparing the site for future development.

Marina Improvements

We're also pleased to share positive news regarding our marina. Owens Corning has agreed to honor its warranty and replace all marina dock deck boards. The discoloration many members have noticed will be corrected, and this work will be completed at no cost to the Club.

Member Bond Program

The fundraising team continues to finalize plans for the upcoming Member Bond Program, which will provide members with an opportunity to invest directly in the future of Clearwater Yacht Club while helping bring Project Keelstone to life. Informational meetings and additional participation details will be shared in the coming months.

Looking Ahead

As preparations continue, members can expect to see more activity around the Club. Upcoming milestones include:

Completion of geotechnical soil sampling
Seawall replacement
Clubhouse permitting
Completion of construction drawings
Launch of the Member Bond Program
Preparation for groundbreaking

Each milestone brings us one step closer to transforming the vision of Project Keelstone into reality!

Thank you for your continued support, patience, and enthusiasm as we move forward together. We remain committed to building a clubhouse that honors our 115-year legacy while creating an exceptional home for generations of Clearwater Yacht Club members to come.

John Minton- Vice Commodore & Long-Term Planning Committee Chair

*Photo Below- John Live on 102.5 "The Bone" representing CYC*

Entertainment Committee

The Entertainment Committee has been hard at work planning an exciting lineup of events, and we'd love your help bringing them to life! Whether you have a few hours to volunteer, a creative eye for decorating, or simply great ideas to share, there are plenty of ways to get involved—no committee membership required.

Volunteer Opportunities

We're currently looking for members to help with several upcoming events:

Parrothead Phlocking: August 29th Contact Jim Hannigan.
Employee Turnabout Party: August 23rd Contact Lindsey & Anna.
White Party: September 19th Contact Event Captain Ruth Schoenherr.
Latin Night: October 17th Contact Event Captain Ruth Schoenherr.
Halloween Party: October 31st Event Captain Mary Kay Delk.
Christmas Party: December 19th Contact Lindsey & Anna.
New Year's Soiree: December 31st- Contact David Hartley & Aubrey Posey.

Even if you can't commit to an entire event, we'd love your help with decorating, setup, or cleanup. Every helping hand makes a difference!

Decorating Donations

Have decorations tucked away at home? We'd love to put them to good use!

We're currently collecting themed décor for:

Parrothead Phlocking – Tropical and island décor
White Party – Elegant white-themed decorations
Latin Night – Bright, colorful Latin-inspired décor
Halloween – Spooky decorations and props
Christmas Party – Holiday décor including trees, wreaths, garland, ornaments, ribbons, lights, festive centerpieces, and outdoor decorations
Roaring '20s New Year's Eve Soiree – Gold and black décor, Art Deco pieces, feathers, pearls, vintage accents, and Gatsby-inspired decorations

Share Your Ideas

Some of our best events begin with a member's suggestion!

See a fantastic band performing around town? Tell us about them!
Have an idea for a class, workshop, guest speaker, themed event, or unique activity you'd like to see at CYC? We'd love to hear it.
Have a fun idea for our youngest members? Send us your ideas for kid-friendly activities and family events!

Email your suggestions to both Marketing@clearwateryachtclub.org and Entertainment@clearwateryachtclub.org, and we'll add them to our entertainment ideas list for future consideration.

The Entertainment Committee is dedicated to creating memorable experiences that bring our members together, and your involvement is what makes those events truly special. Whether you volunteer your time, donate decorations, or simply share a creative idea, you're helping make our club the vibrant, welcoming community we all enjoy. Thank you for helping us create unforgettable experiences—we look forward to seeing you, and hopefully working alongside you, at an upcoming CYC event!

Cruisers Club

Cruisers Trip July 2026 to Venice YC and St. Charles YC

by Heather Keller

Braving some rollers on the Gulf, Gross Profit V, Jill’s Dream, and Mona Lisa made their way on Thursday to Venice YC to kick off the July 2026 Cruisers trip. The group enjoyed dinner at beautiful Venice YC. Our Commodore departed for Ft. Myers early on Friday and was greeted by a broken drawbridge—requiring backtracking from the intracoastal to the Gulf. The others appreciated his well-timed warning. The dolphin pod escort made up for the later start! All’s well that ends well, and all three met the landcruisers at St. Charles for a delicious Friday night dinner at the club, followed by dancing on Mona Lisa.

Saturday brought a poolside Jenga challenge, some biking to a local venue, bar hopping on Sanibel, and local exploring. Dinner was a delicious team effort poolside cookout by the docks. Sunday dawned to beautiful weather and the trip back to Venice. Jill’s Dream took a (highly recommended) lunch detour to Cabbage Key Restaurant for an aptly named “Cheeseburger in Paradise.” The Venice crew enjoyed dinner together at the Crow’s Nest while the landcruisers headed home to face Monday.

All agreed the smaller group helped us get to know each other better, but no matter how many Cruisers are together we always have a lot of fun! Looking forward to August at Twin Dolphin.

Bow Chasers Club

Kate Wall, Christy Poorman & Anne Grace

Bow Chasers Celebrate 40 Years!

The Bow Chasers welcome all CYC ladies who enjoy sailing, spending time on the water, social gatherings, and great company. Whether you're an experienced sailor, new to the sport, or simply looking to make new friends, there's a place for you!

Our activities include sailing from the floating dock, competing in regattas, kayaking, paddleboarding, and enjoying fun social events throughout the year. Many of our members participate for the friendships and camaraderie—even if they no longer sail or have never sailed before.

As summer continues, the Bow Chasers Board is busy planning our fall kickoff along with informal summer meetups. We look forward to welcoming both new and returning members! Be sure to watch The Compass and Club emails for upcoming Bow Chasers announcements.

For those interested in sailing, Bow Chasers membership includes automatic enrollment in the Florida Women's Sailing Association (FWSA), which hosts interclub sailing events at 12 yacht clubs along Florida's Gulf Coast. Through our Clearwater Community Sailing Center membership, Bow Chasers also have access to kayaks and paddleboards, and sailing lessons are available for those looking to learn.

Not a sailor? No problem! Bow Chasers offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy social events, cheer on our competitors, and volunteer at regattas, either shoreside or aboard support boats.

This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the Bow Chasers at Clearwater Yacht Club, and we hope you'll join us in celebrating this special milestone!

Upcoming Events

Bow Chaser Meetup: Friday, August 29

Join us at the CYC Tiki during the Jimmy Buffett Parrothead Party. Look for the Bow Chaser table, or simply stop by to say hello. Not a Bow Chaser yet? Come hang out—we'd love to meet you!

Sailors Table: Wednesday, August 26 • 6:00 PM

Held the last Wednesday of every month in the Bar & Grille. RSVP through the Club and request to be seated at the Sailors Table. All CYC members and their guests are welcome—whether you're a sailor or simply enjoy good company.

Interested in Joining?

Annual membership is $25.

To join, renew your membership, or learn more, email bowchasers@gmail.com for payment information and additional details.

Chaplain's Log

Father Bob Wagenseil, Fleet Chaplain

“In the Good Old Summertime”

When I was very young, I spent my summers on the waters of Long Island Sound, enrolled as were my sister and brothers in our Yacht Club's Youth Sailing Program. Many of those days on the water featured no wind, high humidity, and on occasion temperatures as high as the mid 80's! Yikes, the only saving grace was that the water temperature remained a comfortable mid 60's which meant that it was easy to cool off and save ourselves from heat exhaustion.

More recently, I was involved with a youth sailing program in Florida. The risk of serious illness due to excessive heat and humidity in the “Sunshine State” was an ever present danger. The cooling effect of salt water temperatures in the low 90's was of little help during the windless afternoons near the Gulf.

We do well to remind ourselves that it only takes 15 minutes or so in the blazing Florida sun to run the risk of serious burning. Most significant of all, the risk of heat stroke is an ever-present danger especially for children and senior adults. Elevated body temperature, lack of sweating, rapid heart beat, confusion, hot dry skin, nausea are all signs that a potential life-threatening condition is taking place. Immediate treatment includes the following guidance offered by the Red Cross via the link below:

Emergency Steps for Exertional Hypothermia/Heat Stroke

Please keep in mind that heat stroke can also be a rapidly developing medical emergency for our pets:

Preventing Heat Stroke in Dogs and Cats | Signs, Symptoms, and Care

When it comes to the downside of our Florida Sunshine, a little bit of knowledge and training can go a long way towards keeping everyone safe. May you be blessed with (and well-prepared for) a safe, happy, and healthy Good Old Summertime this August.

Blessings and best wishes,

Fr Bob Wagenseil

frbob.wagenseil@gmail.com

Marketing & Membership

Share the Club You Love!

One of the greatest compliments our Club can receive is when a member recommends Clearwater Yacht Club to a friend, neighbor, colleague, or fellow boater. Many of our newest members join because of the experiences, friendships, and memories shared by our current members. To recognize those efforts and ensure referrals are tracked fairly, we are introducing our official Member Referral Program.

How It Works

If you know someone who may be interested in membership, simply provide their information before they contact the Club or begin the membership process.

You can submit a referral by:

Emailing LindseyE@ClearwaterYachtClub.org (preferred)
Completing a Member Referral Form at the Front Desk
Introducing your guest to the Director of Marketing, Membership & Events while visiting the Club

Please include Prospective Members:

Full Name
Phone number
Email address
Any notes that may be helpful

Once received, the prospect will be entered into our membership tracking system and associated with your referral.

Please note: We know many of our members have overlapping circles of friends, neighbors, and boating acquaintances. If multiple members refer the same prospective member, referral credit will be given to the member who first provides the required referral information to the Club.

Referral Recognition

When your referred prospect joins the Club, you'll receive:

Summer or Winter Membership Referral: Sunday Brunch Buffet for Four
Full Membership Referral: $500 in Clearwater Yacht Club gift certificates
Social Membership Referral: $300 in Clearwater Yacht Club gift certificates

Help Us Grow

There has never been a better time to introduce someone to Clearwater Yacht Club. Whether they're looking for waterfront dining, boating, family activities, social events, or a place to connect with friends, your personal recommendation can make all the difference.

If you know someone who would be a great fit for CYC, send us their information—we'll take it from there! Thank you for helping us grow the Clearwater Yacht Club family!

Lindsey Edwards- Director of Marketing, Membership & Events

Member Milestone

Celebrating 40 Years of Membership!

Last month, CYC proudly celebrated a remarkable milestone as Dr. Dick Kidd and his wife, Roberta, marked 40 years of membership at CYC, while also celebrating Dr. Kidd's birthday surrounded by family and friends.

Over the past four decades, the Kidds have been an integral part of the CYC family, creating lifelong friendships and countless memories both on and off the water.

Dr. Kidd has also dedicated many years of service to the Club, serving as Commodore and continuing to give back today as a valued Trustee. His leadership, commitment, and passion for CYC have helped shape our Club and leave a lasting impact on generations of members.

Congratulations to Dick and Roberta on this incredible 40-year milestone! Thank you for your years of friendship, service, and unwavering dedication to CYC. We look forward to celebrating many more milestones with you in the years ahead.

Menus

CYC News & Housekeeping Items

Dining Reservation can be made in the following ways;

On the CYC App
By emailing office@clearwateryachtclub.org
By calling the desk at 727-447-6000

Upcoming Events

Full Calendar of Events

Member Anniversaries

AUGUST

1986 Dick Boblenz
2000 Gene & Sally Fleming
2006 Barbara Chapman
2013 John & Benay Brawley
2013 Rich & LJ Libonate
2013 Gary & Sondra Newcom
2013 Paul Pudela
2013 Daniel & Donna Snell
2014 Rahul & Cathy Mehra
2014 Robert & Judy Mizelle
2014 Jay & Paula Ross
2014 Michael & Cheryl Schulz
2015 Mark & Jan Howard
2015 Austin & Olivia Prince
2015 Ken & Cheryl Schroeder
2016 Greg & Christy Crist
2016 Rick & Valerie Knight
2016 Gracie & John Murray
2016 Wilson & Marty Page
2017 Peter & Carol Losi
2018 Deb Brown
2018 Larry & Sondra Edger
2018 Paul Greenhalgh
2019 Walter & Heather Smith
2020 Jen Howard & Tim Meyer
2020 Theo & Kelli Mellion
2020 Michael & Carey Sauer
2020 Justin & Travis West
2021 Lisa Avery
2021 Bon Idziak
2021 Dave & Tracy Phillips
2021 Hilda Scharen-Guivel & Rick Raimond
2021 Anne Torsney & Dan Rzepka
2024 Jim & Jeanne Davis
2025 Brett & Christine Thompson
2025 Kevin & Karen Hoppe

New Members

We are thrilled to welcome the newest members of the Clearwater Yacht Club family! When you see a table displaying the CYC burgee, it means new members are dining nearby. Please stop by, say hello, and help make their first experiences at the club truly memorable. Together, we can show them the spirit of CYC: friendly, inclusive, and full of camaraderie.

JULY 2026

Terry & Karen Vourvopoulos, Clearwater, FL
Eric & Skylar Lund, St. Pete, FL
Jeffrey & Linda Severin, Trinity, FL
Patricia & Michael Shucoski, Largo, FL
Doreen DelGuidice, Largo, FL
Jamie & Susan Smith, Clearwater, FL

Meet the New Members

As part of joining the CYC family, new members are invited to share a bit about themselves through our optional New Member Questionnaire. Their responses help us introduce them here in The Compass and make it easier for all of us to connect, welcome, and get to know the newest faces in our community.