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🎙️ Argonauts Radio – Episode 9: 100+ Powerboats at the Pond!

The latest episode of San Diego Argonauts Radio is now live!

Host Jess Atkinson sits down with Vice Commodore of Power, Bill Bridge, to discuss one of the biggest events of the year at the Mission Bay Model Boat Pond: the upcoming NAMBA District 19 Powerboat Race, taking place June 12–14, 2026.

More than 100 high-performance RC powerboats are expected to converge on San Diego for three days of racing, testing, camaraderie, and excitement. Bill shares the history of powerboat racing at the pond, how he became involved with the Argonauts, and what it takes to organize an event of this scale.

Also available on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-powerboats-at-the-pond-in-june-how-vc-bill-bridge/id1874110517?i=1000769445722

Among the topics discussed:

  • The evolution from nitro-powered “thunderboats” to modern gasoline-powered racers
  • Boats capable of reaching speeds approaching 60–90 mph
  • The different classes of mono hulls, catamarans, and scale-inspired race boats
  • Why Mission Bay remains one of Southern California’s premier RC boating venues
  • What visitors can expect during the June District 19 event
  • How the Argonauts’ sail and power divisions work together to support major regattas and races

Bill describes the event as an “organized circus”—and in the best possible way. Racers from across Southern California and neighboring states will bring hundreds of boats, trailers, tools, and equipment to the pond for a weekend of intense competition and fun.

Spectators Welcome

The event is free to attend and offers a fantastic opportunity for club members, families, and the public to experience RC powerboat racing up close.

Event Details

  • Event: NAMBA District 19 Heat Race #5
  • Dates: June 12–14, 2026
  • Location: Mission Bay Model Boat Pond
  • Admission: Free

Bring a chair, enjoy the sunshine, and watch some of the fastest RC boats in the region battle it out on the water.

Also in This Episode

  • AMYA President Len Boes provides a brief update on upcoming radio sailing events and the latest issue of Model Yachting magazine.
  • Jess recaps the recently completed IOM World Championship, highlighting one of the strongest performances ever by the U.S. team, with seven American skippers finishing in the top 18.
  • Upcoming Argonauts activities for June, including ODOM, Soling, IOM, Scale Division, and Power Division events.

Whether you’re a sailor, power boater, scale enthusiast, or simply curious about the hobby, this episode offers a great look at another exciting corner of the San Diego Argonauts community.

🎧 Listen now, and we’ll see you at the pond!

2026 Team Challenge I: Monday Morning Quarterbacking

Congratulations to ‘The Boys of Summer’ (Larry Grant and Jim Sears) who managed to ‘Outwit, Outplay, Outlast‘ the competition and win the coveted top position in the first Region 8 Team Racing Event of 2026!

With 8 Teams, the day began with a Stage 1 Round-Robin of 28 Races. The winds were good, the course was tight, the competition was fierce and many matches were decided in the last few feet before the finish. Team Bueno (John Rogers and Scotty Harris) piled up 6 wins with only a single loss to ‘The Boys‘ who also lost only a single race to the ‘Trap Rioters‘ (Doc Elliott and Stephen Cohen). Meanwhile, ‘Annoying Orange‘ (Dennis Rogers and Jess Atkinson) managed 5 wins to round out the Top 3 and join the Boys and Bueno directly in the Finals (Stage 3).

The remaining 5 Teams were seeded into the Stage 2 Wild Card Knockout Bracket where sudden-death awaited each losing Team. The Bleve Bombers (Len Bose and Chuck Simmons) crept from the cellar and ran the table to win 3 straight races and earn their way into the Finals!

Proof that no matter how poorly a Team does in Stage 1, the Team Management System (TMS) allows everyone a second chance.

In Stage 3, it all came down to the 2 FINAL RACES to determine the first 3 Places! In the penultimate race, the Bleve Bombers defeated Annoying Orange to claim 3rd Place. Then, in the final race of the day (RACE 38), the Boys beat Bueno to clinch 1st Place!

Kudos to Team ‘Dry Heat‘ (Rod Sturgess and Mike Fruciano) who traveled all the way from Arizona to compete!

If you missed out on all the fun, you have a second chance to participate in Team Challenge II on August 16th at Mason Park in Irvine. Don’t miss it!

Photo Credit: Mike Schachter

Bob DeBow ODOM Masters Regatta II Results (May 16th, 2026)

The second running of the Bob DeBow ODOM Masters Regatta was held at the San Diego Model Yacht Pond, continuing this new Argonauts tradition honoring one of the legends of our local RC sailing community. The regatta once again delivered a great day of competitive and fun ODOM racing.

Congratulations to all skippers who participated, and especially to our top finishers:

  1. Jess Atkinson
  2. Chris Davidson
  3. Larry Grant
  4. Tom Warren
  5. Gil Jansky

A special thank you to everyone who helped organize, set up, race direct, score, retrieve marks, and keep the event running smoothly throughout the day.

The Bob DeBow Masters series has quickly become one of the highlights of the Argonauts sailing calendar, combining competitive racing with recognition of the sailors who helped build and shape the San Diego RC sailing community.

We look forward to the next Masters event at the Pond!

📺San Diego Argonauts on CBS News

A piece of fun news 🙂

The San Diego Argonauts were featured on CBS8 San Diego today!

CBS8 story on their website:
https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/zevely-zone/san-diego-argonauts-affordable-water-sport/509-d67e58f9-79ec-4434-a3a1-ebc6330861a7

On a related note:
The CBS8 crew helped promote our STEM/Robotics initiative for high school & college students involving GPS-guided robotic buoys and autonomous marine systems. If you know any students, robotics teams, or STEM advisors who might be interested, please send them our way!

More info here:
https://www.sandiegoargonauts.org/2026/05/02/%e2%9a%93-calling-san-diego-socal-robotics-stem-students/

🎙️ San Diego Argonauts Radio – Episode 8

Episode 8 of San Diego Argonauts Radio is now live!

In this episode, host Jess Atkinson sits down with longtime model yachting leader and AMYA Hall of Fame member Bob Eger of the Sacramento Area Model Yacht Club during the Region 8 DF95 Travelers Trophy event at Bridgeway Lakes in Sacramento.

Bob shares stories from more than 50 years in radio sailing — from founding the South Bay Model Yacht Club in 1975, to helping grow Sacramento’s thriving racing scene, developing Star 45 and J-Class fleets, organizing large-scale regattas, and promoting the hobby to new generations of sailors.

Also available on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sailing-in-sacramento-with-bob-eger-april-results/id1874110517?i=1000767152260

The conversation also highlights Sacramento’s welcoming club culture, fleet-building programs, Thursday “Luffers” training sessions, and upcoming Sail Week and regional championship events.

The episode also covers:

  • The recent DF95 Travelers Trophy event in Sacramento
  • Growth of Star 45 and J-Class fleets on the West Coast
  • Upcoming AMYA and regional regattas
  • April race results from the San Diego Argonauts pond
  • Team Challenge and Bob DeBow Trophy upcoming events
  • Reflections on the passing of renowned IOM designer Ian Vickers

The Sacramento Travelers Trophy event was especially strong for the San Diego Argonauts, with club members claiming 5 of the top 6 finishing positions in a 14-boat fleet — a tremendous showing for the club on the road.

Whether you’re an experienced racer, a scale boating enthusiast, or simply curious about RC sailing, Episode 8 offers a great mix of history, competition, club culture, and the people helping keep model yachting thriving across California.