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Sir Leansalot
Tom Lueck's Hunter 40 Sir Leansalot is an active racer, hence the snazzy blue and orange outfits. Among last Wednesday's crew were a couple of guests who'd never been sailing before. ©2013 norcalsailing.com
Casual Wednesdays

August 10, 2013

Much like 'corporate culture', each yacht club has its own culture. And each yacht club's beer can races can reflect that culture, expand upon it or vary on it. The beer can culture at Stockton Sailing Club is super casual. Much like the Wednesday night races at Richmond YC, SSC's beer cans have no Sailing Instructions or entry fee. Like Santa Cruz's Wednesday night races, there are no prizes. Everyone is welcome; just sign up on the clipboard before the race. They do have results, but no series standings.

Tarantella
All smiles aboard Jerry Haugland's Catalina 320 Tarantella. ©2013 norcalsailing.com

Dynamite
"The Ladies" is the skipper of record for this pretty Cal 27, Dynamite. ©2013 norcalsailing.com

The course is as simple as the section of the San Joaquin River the races run on. Head downriver for about 2+ miles (usually a beat straight upwind), round green day marker #33 to port, and return upriver (usually dead downwind) to the start/finish line off the SSC race deck. The first horn is at 1830 and if there are enough boats for two divisions, an RC volunteer will announce the division split over a loudspeaker. That's it.

Zonker, Sir Leansalot and Snowman
In Division A, Steve Canepa's Wylie 34 Zonker and Sir Leansalot have one more tack to go before the mark, while the Etchells Snowman, sailed by Chris Shepherd, is already around. ©2013 norcalsailing.com

Sir Leansalot with spinnaker
The right side of the course had more consistent breeze. ©2013 norcalsailing.com

Magic
Brooks Sperry's Columbia 5.5 Magic led the Division B fleet. ©2013 norcalsailing.com

Miss Savanna
Budge Humphreys' Morgan 30/2 Miss Savannah crosses the finish line back at SSC. ©2013 norcalsailing.com

Once back at the clubhouse, the culture is as casual as it gets. Eschewing even volunteer bartenders and galley staff, members help themselves behind the bar and in the galley, keeping a tab of what they owe.

SSC's Wednesday night races continue weekly through the end of August. See www.stocktonsc.org. While you're there, you might notice that Delta Ditch Run 2014 has already been scheduled for June 14; you might as well put it on your calendar now.

Captain Midnight
This shiny blue Challenger carried her young crew off to evening adventures elsewhere. ©2013 norcalsailing.com

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