How Did Hurricanes Helene and Milton Affect FWSA West Coast Clubs?

Hurricane Helene making her way up the Florida Coast

The FWSA enthusiastically kicked off the 2024-25 sailing season on October 1, 2024 at their general meeting hosted by the Salty Sisters of St Petersburg Yacht Club and between the impacts of two major hurricanes hitting the west coast of Florida.

Hurricane Helene's path up the Florida coast was a major wind and flood event with 140 mph winds, storm surge, and torrential rain as it headed up to the Big Bend Region and continued on its path into Tennessee. Hurricane Milton arrived much closer to home, making landfall near Siesta Key with 120 mph winds and an almost six-foot storm surge. These back-to-back hurricanes wreaked havoc on our homes, communities, and sailing venues.

Our southernmost club, the Bitter Ends of Venice, completed one sail before the arrival of Hurricane Helene. The double hurricanes caused significant damage to the Venice Youth Boating pram shed and boat yard, where they store their boats and equipment, the nearby Venice Yacht Club, and the Higel Park Marina where the club launches their Sunfish. The pram shed drywall, floors, and equipment were replaced during November while the city of Venice and the surrounding buildings began to clean up, repair, and replace their infrastructure. Both the north and south sides of the Venice Jetty received major damage. The North Jetty opened this month while the South Jetty may take years to repair. The jetties were built in the 1920s and the orginal pilings have been exposed and damaged. The Bitter Ends were finally able to set sail on December 15th in low winds, but they were cheered to get out on the water and finish one race. Their season continues to be impacted by cold weather, low winds, and red tide. They are hopeful that their now thrice-postponed Interclub will be a success and that maybe the fourth time will be a charm for this club. Their Sunfish interclub is now scheduled for March 12, 2025.

The Bow Chasers of Clearwater Yacht Club sustained substantial damage to the lower level of their building. The rising surge came over the top of the shutters and the flood waters were actually held in by those shutters. The lower level of the Yacht Club, which had been renovated only one year prior, had to be gutted once again. Their prams were found scattered around the property and the neighboring property. Miraculously, they had no damage. The Bow Chasers are currently back on the water, sailing on Tuesday mornings. Their Pram Interclub is scheduled for April 1, 2025.

The Broad Reachers of Pass-A-Grille had major water intrusion in their pram trailer. Many hours were spent cleaning out the trailer with the loss of numerous old photos, race archives and Race Committee equipment. They washed, bleached or replaced what they could and were able to enjoy one sail in November. That was their last sail of the fall season due to no available safety boat. They were able to successfully complete their Pram Interclub on February 21st. They will also be hosting the Rainbow Regatta at St Petersburg Yacht Club in April with the Salty Sisters.

The Dinghy Dames of Davis Island had significant property damage and loss of land however the club house had no major damage. While still in the early phases of recovery, they in coordination with the Main Sheet Mamas of the Tampa Yacht and Country Club were able to host an FWSA education day on January 27th along with a practice race in the afternoon prior to their scheduled interclub the next day. Unfortunately, winds were low in the morning and racing was cancelled that day as sailors gathered for camaraderie and a fabulous lunch.

The Luffing Lassies of the Sarasota Sailing Squadron were at the heart of Hurricane Milton and suffered extensive damage to their facilities along with the surrounding areas of Siesta Key and Longboat Key. There was major damage to both the clubhouse and docks. Drywall was damaged throughout the clubhouse along with all kitchen appliances, pipes and toilets in the restrooms. The Lassies are able to use the main sitting area and bar as renovations continue. The docks also received significant damage but all but two docks have been repaired and beach replenishment is scheduled to occur shortly. The Squadron and the Lassies are operational with club regattas taking place. The Lassies are now racing weekly.

The Rhumb Runners of Boca Ciega Yacht Club had a disappointing Fall season but are optimistic for Winter/Spring of 2025. Gulfport experienced significant damage during Hurricanes Helen and Milton in addition to Hurricane Debby which arrived in August 2024. The South Basin by BCYC was totally destroyed. The beach area, where the Sunfish typically launch, is currently being used as a staging area for cleanup and is not available to launch Sunfish. The club is trying to launch Sunfish from alternative locations which can be very challenging. The BCYC now has three sailable Catalina Capri's from the original six. They look forward to a hopefully busy season however their FWSA interclub is cancelled for this year.

The Salty Sisters of St Petersburg Yacht Club have sailed the most of all the FWSA west coast clubs. While the St Petersburg Yacht Club and the Salty Sisters recovered from flood damage and the personal loss of some of their homes, they were able to host the rescheduled Crewed Boat Interclub in December. The weather gods did not cooperate once again and brought high winds. A modified event took place with all sailors and spectators participating in a fun morning of games. They will be the site of the FWSA's Rainbow Regatta on April 21 and 22, 2025.

The Windlasses of Dunedin lost their sailing location as it is closed by the city for recovery. There were significant losses along the Dunedin shoreline as Helene's floodwaters over ran the coast The city of Dunedin if working to restore/renovate/rebuild their waters and marina but it will take time. The Windlasses are working with the city to find alternative places to store and launch their boats and have been sailing off the Causeway. They successfully hosted the FWSA general meeting in January and look forward to getting on the water whenever and where ever they can.

The sister sailors of the FWSA have survived the ups and downs of the 2024-2025 sailing season happy to get out on the water where ever they can sail and get together whenever they can celebrate another milestone forward. The FWSA's sailing sisterhood remains as strong as ever as they look forward to competing against each other at the 2025 Rainbow Regatta and celebrating together at the FWSA's May meeting in Venice, Fl hosted by the Bitter Ends.