Wednesday Night Sails
Wednesday Night Sails bring OWSA members and community skippers together for weekly summer sails on the Columbia River. The goal is simple: build confidence, learn on different boats, meet new sailors, and grow your sailing network.
The season runs from early June through August and is open to all paid OWSA members at no additional cost.
What to Expect
Most Wednesdays, boats leave the dock around 6:00 pm and return before dark. After the sail, crews gather dockside to share food, debrief the sail, and build community. The season wraps up with a late-August raft-up potluck.
Who Can Go?
All active OWSA members are welcome — including beginners. You must:
- Participate as crew (not a passenger)
- Be willing to learn and follow skipper instructions
- Be able to move safely around the boat
Be honest about your experience when signing up. Questions? Email wns@owsa.net.
How to Sign Up
Active members will receive an email invite Sunday before each sail. Sign up on the OWSA calendar by Monday at noon. Spots are limited and generally first-come, first-served. Crew lists are sent Monday night. If you must cancel, contact wns@owsa.net.
What to Bring
- PFD (required)
- Closed-toe, non-marking shoes
- Layers and sun protection
- Water
- Snack to share after sailing
- Sailing gloves are optional
Ask ahead if you need to borrow a PFD.
Snacks & Social Time
Each crew member brings a simple snack to share after the sail as thanks to the skipper and crew. Plan on 2030 minutes dockside. Alcohol is only allowed after sailing, at the dock, and with skipper approval.
Getting There
Most boats sail from Hayden Island, Rose City Yacht Club or other nearby marinas. Boat location and directions are included in your crew list. Portland rush hour is real — plan ahead, pack the night before, and leave early.
Cancellations
Cancel before Monday night whenever possible. If you must cancel after crews are posted, contact your skipper and email wns@owsa.net immediately. Note: Repeat cancellations are not acceptable.
A Few Important Notes
- Everyone helps — regardless of experience
- The skipper is the final authority on their boat
- Ask questions, help others respectfully, and prioritize safety
- Non-members may not attend WNS
- Crew requests are not guaranteed; flexibility helps everyone
Questions? Concerns? Email wns@owsa.net. See you on the water!
OTHER RELATED OWSA PROGRAMS
First Mate Program: Review the First Mate Assessment skills checklist on owsa.net under Opportunities > First Mate. Use it to assess your current skills and set goals for becoming a First Mate. When youve achieved about 80% of the listed skills, youre eligible to join the First Mate team for the upcoming season. First Mates often enjoy more Wednesday Night Sail opportunities, helping balance crews with experienced sailors. Questions? Email firstmate@owsa.net.
BOAST program: Boat Owner and Skipper Training (BOAST) provides opportunities to sign onto an OWSA fleet boat for extra sailing privileges. For a very reasonable monthly fee, you can learn what it is like to own a boat, learn how to skipper, take non-OWSA friends sailing and get more time on the water. See the description of the program under Opportunities > BOAST. OWSA Fleet boats and crew are expected to go out on Wednesday Night Sails as much as their personal schedule allows. Sometimes we need crew, and sometimes we need the boat and a skipper! Write to boast@owsa.net for more information.
SEE THIS PAGE FOR INFO ON BECOMING AN OWSA COMMUNITY SKIPPER
