Based on current information as of September 5, 2025, here are key events focused on sailing, boating, or related activities in the specified areas. I’ve prioritized those happening this month, including today and upcoming. Note that some events may require registration, and details like weather could impact them—always confirm with organizers.

Ventura Harbor Area

• Blue Water Race #3: Hosted by Ventura Yacht Club on September 1. This is a recent ocean race event for sailors.
• Wet Wednesday Series: Weekly evening races every Wednesday through September 10, organized by Ventura Yacht Club. Post-race dinners and trophies included; great for casual competitive sailing.
• Light-Up the Night Boat Rentals: Nighttime pedal boat adventures with glowing character-themed boats at Ventura Boat Rentals, available on weekends like September 13-14. More recreational than competitive, but popular for harbor boating.
• Lady Driver #2: Women’s sailing race on September 27 by Ventura Yacht Club.

Channel Islands Harbor Area

• Concert On the Sea: September 6 from 4-6 PM. Boaters, kayakers, and paddleboarders can anchor or launch to enjoy live music on the water—a unique floating concert experience.
• Trivia Night at Channel Islands Yacht Club: September 4 (recent), followed by CIBT Kickoff Dinner on September 5. These are club social events with a boating community focus.

Santa Barbara Harbor Area

• Santa Barbara City Race (Mandalay Spar to SB): Today, September 5. A competitive sailing race from Mandalay to Santa Barbara; registration is limited.
• Women’s Skipper Championship & Shalhoob Women’s Invitational: September 6, hosted by Santa Barbara Yacht Club. Focuses on women sailors.
• Tequila Derby (SB to Mandalay Spar): September 7. Return leg of the City Race series.
• Charity Regatta & Harbor 20 Single Handed: September 13, benefiting VNA Health, organized by Santa Barbara Yacht Club.
• Sipping on the Sea: September 18 from 5-7 PM (time approximate based on series). Wine or brewery tasting cruise on the water.
• Sips & Ships Fundraiser: September 27 from 4-7:30 PM at Marina 1, hosted by Santa Barbara Sea Shell Association. Includes wine tasting and yacht tours.

Ventura Channel Islands Area (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Nicholas)

• Autumn Equinox Cruise: September 25, a fundraiser cruise to East Santa Cruz Island by Channel Islands Restoration. Focuses on environmental education and island exploration.
• Ongoing boating options include day trips to Anacapa and Santa Cruz via Island Packers from Ventura Harbor, with opportunities for kayaking, wildlife viewing, and landing (day-use only on Santa Rosa without permits, with beach restrictions through September 15).
• Whale watching excursions are active through summer, departing from Ventura or Channel Islands Harbors, with chances to see whales in the Santa Barbara Channel.

Weather Concerns

No major active storms or warnings were identified specifically for the Southern California coast around Ventura, Santa Barbara, or the Channel Islands as of September 5, 2025. However, typical concerns for boating in this area include variable conditions in the Santa Barbara Channel, such as strong winds, fog, and unforgiving ocean swells—only experienced boaters with suitable vessels should venture out. Heavy rain or humid days can lead to sudden changes like the Catalina Eddy, which can roll in quickly. For real-time marine forecasts, check NOAA’s Los Angeles office (weather.gov/marine/lox), as conditions can shift rapidly. Always monitor for rip currents, high waves, or advisories before heading out.

Related News

• Whale Watching Season Highlights: Island Packers announced summer excursions from Ventura Harbor, running through September, with high chances of spotting whales in the Santa Barbara Channel. Trips are available Fridays-Mondays, including Thursday options through mid-September.
• Tall Ship Visits: The Mystic Whaler is offering public day sails in the Channel Islands Harbor area, providing scenic trips along the Santa Barbara Channel.
• Boating Safety and Community Events: Recent coverage includes the 15th Annual Safe Boating Expo in May at Channel Islands Harbor, emphasizing safety for boaters. Summer camps for kids focused on sailing skills wrapped up in June.
• Racing and Harbor Updates: News on races like Santa Barbara to King Harbor (July) highlights ongoing sailing enthusiasm in the region. No major incidents reported recently, but environmental efforts like island restoration cruises are gaining attention.

PBYC’s WAHOO Takes on the Hardway Race to Ventura: Insights from a Thrilling Day on the Water!

Hello PBYC Sailors!

Remember the exciting Hardway Race #45 on Saturday, May 17th? Our very own Bill Gibbs and his incredible catamaran, WAHOO, were out there tackling the challenging course from Santa Barbara to Ventura! This was the 1st Race of PBYC’s 2025 Island Series, adding an extra layer of competitive spirit.

As we found out shortly before the race, WAHOO’s specific course, designed for multihulls, involved sailing around Anacapa Island – all to port, a challenging 47nm. (The general course for others might have included marks like the H mark and Drill Island C, but for multihulls, Anacapa was the primary island rounding to port after clearing Santa Barbara). The crew for this race included Captain Bill Gibbs along with Frank (who captured this amazing video!), Christopher, John, and Alex. They were expecting over 20 knots of wind, but experienced a steady 18 knots sustained, pushing WAHOO to an impressive maximum speed over ground (SOG) of around 20 knots!

We’ve got a fantastic video here from WAHOO’s perspective, giving us a real feel for what it’s like to race a high-performance multihull. Let’s dive in and see some of the action and learn a few things with our resident sailing expert and coach’s analysis.

Behind the Scenes: A Look at WAHOO’s Race Day

1. Getting Race-Ready at the Dock (0:00 – 0:43):
From the get-go, it’s clear the WAHOO crew is all business. Getting ready at the dock involves careful line handling, fenders deployed for protection, and sails neatly stowed and ready on deck. You can even hear the buzz of pre-race discussions – making sure everyone’s on the same page about the course, especially those last-minute changes like going around Anacapa to port!

• Why this matters: Good preparation dockside sets the stage for a smooth departure and a focused start. It’s all about attention to detail from the very beginning.

2. The Intense Race Start & Upwind Drive (0:43 – 2:35):
Once clear of the marina, with powerful engines guiding them through the channel (a crucial point: in sailboat racing, using propulsion from the preparatory signal until after finishing is strictly prohibited by the Racing Rules of Sailing, leading to disqualification. Engines are used only for safe passage before the race officially begins!), WAHOO heads towards the exciting starting line. The tension builds quickly – “Go, go, go!” calls out as they cross the line with competitor “Akua Kai.” You’ll instantly see the jib unfurl, and then the impressive mainsail hoist – clearly a powerful square-top main, designed for maximum drive. The crew immediately dials in the trim, with folks actively grinding winches to get that sail shape just right. It’s a flurry of coordinated activity that pays off in crucial early speed.

• Why this matters: A strong start is critical in any race, and getting sails up quickly and efficiently, even under the pressure of a tight competitor, makes all the difference. Their active trimming shows dedication to finding that perfect balance of speed and angle.
• What if: What if the wind had seemingly died at the start? Without the option of motoring in a race, quick thinking with sail trim, shifting crew weight, and seeking clear air would be the only effective options. The focus is always on staying powered by wind and current.

3. The Downwind Thrill & Sail Hoist (2:36 – 4:16):
Then comes a true highlight – the big downwind blast! As the skies open up, a beautiful large blue and light blue sail appears from the bow. This isn’t just any sail, folks; it’s what we call a “screacher” or “Code 0” – specifically designed for reaching sails. You can see how smoothly it unfurls from its dedicated furler. Once it’s flying, watch WAHOO absolutely rocket across the water, leaving a massive wake! The crew onboard are clearly thinking ahead, with a call of “Keep it down until you’re ready!” signaling their readiness for the next maneuver, perhaps a speedy douse or re-furl.

• Why this matters: This is where multihulls truly shine! Utilizing a screacher when heading downwind (or reaching) gives them immense power for incredible speeds. It’s a brilliant tactical move to maximize performance in these conditions.
• What if: What if the wind picked up unexpectedly, or shifted dramatically? Without the option of motoring, managing sail area becomes even more critical. They’d need to quickly furl/douse the screacher, potentially switch to a smaller headsail, or reef the mainsail to maintain control and avoid damaging sails or rigging. There’s no pushing a button for power in a race; it’s all about skilled sail handling!

4. Seamless Sail Changes & Peak Performance (4:17 – 4:48):
The video then shows a quick, almost seamless, transition to another large, tan-colored sail flying out front. This efficient change highlights their well-rehearsed maneuvers – swapping sails to perfectly match the changing wind conditions and course. The impressive rooster tails forming off the stern of WAHOO speak volumes about the speed Bill and his team are generating. It’s a fantastic testament to the boat’s design and the crew’s incredible skill.

• Why this matters: Having a full inventory of sails, and the coordination to swap them efficiently, is a hallmark of serious racing. It allows them to fine-tune their drive for every type of wind and wave condition.

6. All Out Speed! (5:17 – 6:18):
The final shots bring us back around Anacapa with WAHOO at exhilarating high speed, likely reaching or broad reaching. The catamaran kicks up impressive rooster tails of water from both hulls as she powers through the waves. You can almost feel the spray as the crew keeps a steady focus, a testament to their dedication to performance.

• Why this matters: These are the moments performance multihulls are built for! It beautifully demonstrates the exhilarating speed and power of these boats when sailed effectively in good conditions.

---

We hope you enjoyed this look at WAHOO’s exciting run in the Hardway Race! It’s a fantastic example of teamwork, preparation, and expert boat handling here at PBYC.

We’d love to hear your thoughts! What stood out to you in the video? Have you experienced a challenging race like this one? Share your comments and stories below!