August 2026 Monthly Newsletter

August 2026 Newsletter PROMOTING PERSONAL FREEDOM THROUGH POSITIVE SELF EMPOWERMENT FOR OUR COMMUNITY  BY PROVIDING EASY AFFORDABLE ACCESS  TO THE WORLD OF SAILING  Opening Remarks "Off the Irish Coast" — Jack Butler Yeats, 1942 Current location: Leeds Art Gallery — An expressionist painting of Ireland that was painted by Jack Butler Yeats, the brother to William Butler Yeats. Two brothers who were inspired by the beauty and gratitude of their country. Gratitude to the Unknown Instructors A reflection on the kindness that shapes our Island Sailing community What they undertook to do They brought to pass; All things hang like a drop of dew Upon a blade of grass. — W. B. Yeats, “Gratitude to the Unknown Instructors” This short poem from W.B. Yeats is a reflection on the many people, moments, and expereinces that shaped him, often without realizing their influence. Yeats played a pivotal role in shaping the Irish national identity with his poetry. So much of his work reflects that deep engagement with his own identity, culture, and the political landscape of his time. And while there have been so many specific pivotal events in history and experiences with people that have inspired his poems, the “unknown instructors” Yeats refers to are not important teachers or interations in the traditional sense. They are the mundane interactions and moments that molded Yeats to reach his greatest potential. That same theme is what the culture of Island Sailing has been built upon. While our instructors and crew are amazing and help aid with inital interations of kindness and generosity at the club, it's the small interactions that often go unnoticed, that fuel our community and keeps engagement high. The ISC community grows when a long time member offers encouragement to a new member that's still learning the ropes, it grows when one sailor holds a door open for another sailor, and it even grows when everyone works together to help dock a boat. These moments might feel as insignificant as a drop of dew upon a blade of grass, however, these small acts of kindness help our community grow and encourages people to keep coming back.  So, this month, we want to offer a little gratitude to our unknown instructors: To those who offer encouragement when someone needs it. To those who lend a hand without being asked. To those who welcome a new face into the community. And to everyone whose small acts make Island Sailing feel like more than just a place to sail. Thank you. Like a drop of dew on a blade of grass, they may be small, but they help make this club float. Important Information Weather Update: NOAA Link Over the next few days and weeks, the Columbia River is going to be at extremely low river levels. These low levels may impact the club by creating challenges for getting out of the marina and limitations on river accessibility due to the drafts of our boats, especially our bigger boats. As a reminder, please always check the NOAA before heading out to the water to check water depths to plan your outing accordingly, and try to avoid shallow waters.  - It's better to be safe than sorry- New Membership Resource: Membership Handbook We've been working a lot behind the scenes down at the club lately and we are excited to see how everything plays out over the upcoming months. One of our most recent updates, included updating The Island Sailing Membership Handbook. We recommend that our members update themselves on the information so they can use their membership to their advantage! Click the link and scoll to the bottom of our website to get access to the handbook in Member Resources.  This Month at Island Sailing As you come down to the club, you may notice that a few new faces have joined our crew. We also have a few somewhat new faces as well. As a little refresher and a way to get to know the ISC crew, here's some fun facts and information about each of our crew so you can get to know them more! Trevor Schnack Hometown: Long Beach, Ca Favorite boat to sail: Hobie Cat Bucket list sailing location: Santa Barbara Island Reagan Nauheim Hometown: Portland, Or Favorite boat to sail: Any boat with a sail Bucket list sailing location: Croatia or Greece Cole Reed Hometown: Grants Pass, Or Favorite boat to sail: Capri 22 Bucket list sailing location: Tahiti Hannah Higens Hometown: Spokane, Wa Favorite boat to sail: Wayfarer Dream sailing location: Exploring the Mediterranean Sea. Micala Delepierre Hometown: Portland, Or Favorite boat to sail: Brigantine  Bucket list sailing location: Marlborough Sounds in New Zealand Upcoming Classes with Availability ASA 101 (Beginning Sailing) August 31st-September 3rd September 14th-17th September 19th-20th // 26th-27th October 3rd-4th // 10th-11th October 5th-8th October 17th-18th // 24th-25th October 19th-22nd ASA 101 Follow up Coaching Sessions September 9th September 23rd October 14th  ASA 103 (Intro to Cruising)  October 10th-13th October 24th- 27th  Our Community Events   Cruising Group  Join the Community Cruising Group Community Sail - August 5th Sign Up August 5th, Wednesday. Departing between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Returning by 8:20 p.m.   Beacon Rock Weekend Sail Trip - August 14th/15th Sign Up This is a 2 night event. Leaving Friday early afternoon and reaching Camas for the first night. Saturday, sail to Beacon Rock, overnight there and return to ISC Sunday.     - Arrive at docks 08/14/26 1:00 p.m., Skippers meeting 1:40 p.m., Departing at 2:00 p.m. Estimated return 08/15/26 by 5:00 p.m. Community Sail - August 19th Sign Up August 19, Wednesday. Departing between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Returning by 8:00 p.m. Day Sail - Camas - August 29th Sign Up  August 29th, Saturday. Arrive at docks 7:00 p.m., Skippers meeting 7:40 p.m., Departing at 8:00 p.m.   - Estimated return by 6:00 p.m. Overnight Sail - Kalama - September 5th Sign Up  September 5th, Saturday. Arrive at docks 09/05/26 7:00 a.m., Skippers meeting 7:40 a.m., Departing at 8:00 a.m.   - Estimated return 09/06/26 by 7:00 p.m. Team Cowboy Performance Races   Join our Performance Crews PYC August 2nd, Sunday - PYC - Summer Sailing on Sunday - 5:00 p.m. August 9th, Sunday - PYC - Summer Sailing on Sunday - 5:00 p.m. . SYSCO August 6th, Thursday - SYSCO - Twilight Thursday Series - 6:30 p.m. August 13th, Thursday - SYSCO - Twilight Thursday Series - 6:30 p.m. August 20th, Thursday - SYSCO - Twilight Thursday Series - 6:30 p.m. August 27th, Thursday - SYSCO - Twilight Thursday Series - 6:30 p.m. August 30th, Sunday - SYSCO - One Design Regatta - 1:00 p.m. ISC August 3rd, Monday - ISC Race Night - 6:00 p.m. RSVP before noon on Sunday August 10th, Monday - ISC Race Night - 6:00 p.m. RSVP before noon on Sunday August 17th, Monday - ISC Race Night - 6:00 p.m. RSVP before noon on Sunday Auugust 24th, Monday - ISC Race Night - 6:00 p.m. RSVP before noon on Sunday The Most Popular Boat this Month! This month we had some lovely sailing conditions! The summer pattern is beginning to settle in and the warm weather was taking hold for a while. This month these were the top 5 reserved boats in the fleet - excluding class boats! Rhythm Newport 28 Cal 27 Aurora Ruby Jo We had a total of 305 reservations this past month  Looking for fellow members to go out sailing? Our forum is a great way to find them! Check it out to join the online community! Join the Online Member Forum! As the horizon draws near... As we look ahead to our future as a sailing club on the Columbia, we’re reminded that the strength of Island Sailing comes from all of us. The lessons we share, the kindness we offer, and even the smallest moments of connection can have an impact far beyond what we see. To all of our instructors, members, crew, and friends, thank you for the many ways, seen and unseen, that you help make this club what it is. We may never know which small moment will stay with someone, but together, those moments become something lasting. Here’s to the unknown instructors among us, and to the little things that make a big difference. — Stephen Explore More - Learn More - Sail More And See Our Weather Links and - Check Out Our Youtube Channel! (Links on the bottom of our website) Explore Follow Us On Facebook Instagram Youtube You are receiving this email as you signed up for our newsletters. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can Unsubscribe or Update your preferences