The San Diego Argonauts hosted the DF95 Region 8 Championship on April 11–12.
A little bit of everything over the weekend—shifting winds, tight mark roundings, and even a 20-minute spurt of rain on Sunday—but one thing remained constant: the Corinthian Spirit. 🙂
We saw it all out there—winds shuffling between S, SW, W, and NW, keeping everyone on their toes and delivering some truly dynamic racing. The competition was top-notch: Jim Sears schooled the fleet on Saturday, and Chris Davidson took over the act on Sunday.
Top 5 and Final Standings below: 1) Chris Davidson 2) Jess Atkinson 3) Keith Ives 4) Dennis Rogers 5) Kerim Baran
A huge thank you to all the competitors, guests, and organizers who made this such a special event. Special shoutout to Chris Staiger and team for putting together an impeccably run regatta—while somehow also cooking up a fantastic BBQ!
And of course, it wouldn’t be an Argonauts weekend without the full experience: the classic Bob Dogs and an amazing pizza spread on Sunday.
Episode 5 of San Diego Argonauts Radio is live—and it’s a great one.
In this episode, Commodore Jess Atkinson sits down with longtime Argonaut and regatta leader Chris Staiger for a deep dive into what it takes to run a top-tier regatta. From behind-the-scenes race management to the evolution of RC sailing, this conversation captures both the craft and the community that make the pond special.
⚓ What’s Inside This Episode
A preview of the upcoming DF95 Region 8 Championship
Chris Staiger’s 50-year journey in model sailing
What separates a well-run regatta from the rest
The rise of the DragonFlite 95 as the “holy grail” of one-design boats
Why RC sailing is often more dynamic than full-size sailing
The growing momentum of team racing and national-level competition
A key theme in this episode is how strong race management helps keep the experience enjoyable for everyone:
Clear enforcement of racing rules helps minimize on-the-water disputes and confusion
Proper protest procedures replace emotional arguments with a structured, fair process
Well-run events tend to have less drama—because expectations are clear and consistently applied
A strong PRO (Principal Race Officer) sets the tone: competitive, but respectful
It’s a great reminder that the best racing environments aren’t just about speed—they’re about clarity, fairness, and mutual respect.
🌊 More Than Racing
The episode also highlights the broader Argonauts ecosystem—from Open House/ Swap Day showcases to monthly points racing and upcoming events across multiple classes.
There’s also a nice nod to the club’s increasing visibility, including local media outreach around the DF95 Regionals, helping bring more attention to the hobby and the community.
“It’s not just about racing—it’s about creating an experience that keeps people coming back.”
🔗 Expanding Access to Argonauts Radio
We’ve also made it easier to follow San Diego Argonauts Radio. You’ll now find a dedicated link in the main menu pointing to all episodes on Apple Podcasts. In addition, we’ve added quick-access icons (for Spotify & Apple Podcasts) on the homepage—right alongside our YouTube and Facebook links—so you can jump straight into the latest episode with a single click. These updates help bring our pondside conversations to a broader audience, making the stories, insights, and personalities of the Argonauts community accessible anytime, anywhere.
On Wednesday, April 1st, the San Diego Argonauts will host a special Spring Break field trip led by Coach Jon Rogers, bringing 6–12 junior Sabot racers to the pond for a hands-on introduction to RC sailing.
This event creates a rare bridge between full-scale youth sailing and the precision world of model yacht racing—giving young athletes a chance to experience tactics, wind reading, and race strategy from a completely new perspective.
How the Session Will Work
The format is simple, fast-paced, and fun:
Start time: 11:30 am PT
Each sailor will compete in two short races using Argonauts’ loaner DF95 boats
The top six performers will advance to a final race
The session will be captured on video to showcase the experience and community
This is more than just a fun day—it’s a great opportunity to:
Introduce young sailors to a lifelong hobby
Showcase the Argonauts as a welcoming, intergenerational community
Potentially bring in new families and future members
For many of these kids, this could be their first exposure to RC sailing—and possibly the start of a deeper connection to the sport.
Call for Volunteers & Boats
We’re asking Argonauts members to help make this event a success:
Lend a boat for one or more races
Assist with race coordination
Provide light mentorship and guidance
Even showing up and supporting the event will go a long way in creating a great experience.
Get Involved
Interested in helping or lending a boat? Please reach out to Jon at buenorogers @ gmail or simply join us at the pond on April 1st!
Episode 4 of San Diego Argonauts Radio captures the energy and diversity of activity at the Mission Bay Model Yacht Pond, from competitive sailing to the creativity of the scale division. Host Jeff Atkinson recaps a successful and highly social “Chair Challenge” regatta, where borrowed boats, tight racing, and friendly rivalry highlighted the inclusive spirit of the club. With nine competitors and a dramatic tie at the top, the event showcased both skill and camaraderie—hallmarks of the Argonauts community.
The episode also looks ahead to upcoming events, including the Open House and Swap Meet, inviting members, families, and newcomers to experience the hobby firsthand.
The heart of the episode is a fascinating conversation with Vice Commodore of Scale Division, Jeff Sparksworthy, who shares his journey from model-building enthusiast to master craftsman of fully scratch-built boats. His perspective reveals the dual nature of the hobby—part engineering challenge, part peaceful escape—as well as the deep historical inspiration behind many scale models.
Sparksworthy also introduces an exciting vision for the future: engaging local students through a robotics-based buoy challenge that blends traditional craftsmanship with modern technology.
The episode ultimately highlights what makes the Argonauts special—a community where obsession-level craftsmanship, lifelong learning, and intergenerational connection all come together on the water.
A special thank-you is also given to Rod Messenger for his craftsmanship and generosity in restoring the club’s dinghy—an essential workhorse for race operations—ensuring it’s ready for many more days on the pond.
Today was a blast at the mission bay pond. Chair Challenge. 12 races without leaving your seat.
A look into adaptive sailing for mobility challenged sailors not able to walk the long distance of 12 races. All skippers remain seated. Short course, and a big start line.
9 skippers did the challenge with their DF 95’s. The weather was perfect.
Even had one of the skippers put on a B rig. He was flying in the last race. Super fast!
At the ribbons presentation, Steve Ross, in 5th place, said it was the first radio sailing award he’d ever received. Tom WARREN, in fourth place, was just nothing but smiles and said he had a wonderful time. Third place went to Kerim Baran, who brought a whole fleet of boats, so everyone gets to sail. Thank you, Kerim.
Big tie there between Pat Nevit and Chris Davidson, with Chris Davidson winning the countback for the tie. Pat sailed masterfully, with 29 pts before throwouts 11pts ahead of Chris. After the dust settled, it was a 21-point tie. Chris also sailed like a superstar. Having won 7 races on the day.
Episode 3 takes us straight into the heart of championship racing at the Mission Bay Model Yacht Pond with full coverage of the Region 8 IOM Championships — 28 boats strong, with competitors traveling from Washington, Florida, Utah, Idaho, Colorado, and across California to compete in three days of tactical, shifty, and at times challenging conditions.
As always, the pond delivered everything: pressure, light air, puffs, shifts — and world-class competition.
The episode also highlights the Marblehead exhibition fleet, sportsmanship honors, and the tremendous volunteer effort that makes large-scale regattas like this possible. From PRO duties to race committee support and trophy craftsmanship, the Argonauts once again demonstrated what a high-functioning model yacht club looks like.
🎥 Featured Interview: Dan Shier – Shaky Cam Productions
A major highlight of Episode 3 is an in-depth conversation with Dan Shear of Shaky Cam Productions (Olympia Model Sailors).
Dan shares:
– His origin story — from a $100 Craigslist Victoria to owning boats in every local fleet. – Why he began filming regattas (promotion + “game film” for sailors). – The behind-the-scenes reality of producing race videos (3–6 hours per day of processing and uploading). – His vision for growing model sailing nationwide. – His new role as a U.S. distributor for DF95 parts to support one of the country’s largest classes. – His work with the AMYA, including stepping into the Vice President role and supporting class development nationwide.
If you’ve ever studied one of Dan’s regatta videos before traveling to an event, this interview will resonate.
📊 February Points Racing Results
Episode 3 also recaps a busy February at the pond for each of the 4 classes we sail. Soling 50s, ODOMs, IOMs, DF95s. Strong fleet sizes across every class continue to show the health and momentum of racing at Mission Bay.
📅 Coming Up in March
– Chair Challenge (March 7) – Sail from a chair! Modified course. Everyone remains seated. – Points Race – March 14 (Scale Division: Age of Steam) – Open House – March 21 – Points Race – March 28 (DF95s & IOMs — DFs lead the charge)
Whether you sail ODOMs, Solings, DF95s, IOMs, or Scale — the invitation stands. If you’re within earshot of Southern California, come sail with us.
🎧 Listen now and stay connected to the racing, the stories, and the people that make the San Diego Argonauts one of the premier RC model yacht clubs in the country.
The second episode of San Diego Argonauts Radio dives straight into what’s been an action-packed start to the season for the San Diego Argonauts. From the Traveler Series regattas in Arizona and Eldorado—where Argonauts sailors filled the top 10—to the excitement building around the upcoming Region 8 Championship, this episode captures the competitive spirit and camaraderie that define sailing at the Mission Bay Model Boat Pond.
A major highlight is a thoughtful and personal interview with IOM Regatta Chair Gil Jansky. Gil shares how a childhood gift—a vintage Marblehead built by his father—sparked a lifelong passion for sailing that began on Lake Michigan and continues today in San Diego. His reflections on preparation, race organization, and what keeps him coming back to the pond remind us that this hobby blends craftsmanship, competition, and community in a way few others do.
The episode also looks ahead to the highly anticipated Region 8 IOM Championship, welcoming competitors from across the country for three days of top-tier racing. With 31 skippers and a wide range of designs—from Britpops to Vickers models—the fleet promises tight competition and spectacular sailing.
Beyond the big regattas, the show highlights the heart of the club: volunteerism, inclusion, and innovation. From Len Bose’s DF95 outreach day at Dana Point Yacht Club to the launch of the new “Chair Challenge” event—designed to make racing accessible for sailors with mobility challenges—this episode celebrates the Argonauts’ commitment to growing and supporting the RC sailing community.
It’s a great listen for members, prospective sailors, and anyone curious about what makes this club so special.
🎧 Tune in to the episode, and we’ll see you at the pond!
