The San Diego Argonauts were proud to host another outstanding NAMBA Power Boat Championship event at the Mission Bay Model Boat Pond on June 13–14, 2026. This year’s event drew more than 100 boat entries—more than double last year’s participation—with competitors traveling from across the country to showcase some of the fastest and most impressive RC power boats in the hobby.
The pond was alive with activity throughout the weekend as racers, crews, families, and spectators enjoyed exciting competition, beautifully prepared race boats, custom trailers, team tents, and a strong sense of camaraderie. Participants included racers of all ages, with a welcome presence of youth and female competitors helping to demonstrate the growing diversity of the RC power boating community.
The event was organized by San Diego Argonauts members Bill Bridge and Al Waters, whose months of preparation helped deliver what many attendees described as a world-class racing experience. In addition to managing a complex race schedule, the volunteer team served more than 85 lunches over the two-day event and hosted a Saturday evening Tri-Tip BBQ dinner attended by approximately 55 guests.
A successful event of this scale depends on many helping hands. Special thanks go to the numerous Power Division volunteers as well as members from the Sail and Scale Divisions who assisted throughout the weekend, including support with pond operations and water-level management. Their efforts demonstrated the collaborative spirit that has long been a hallmark of the San Diego Argonauts.
As NAMBA Executive Secretary and longtime Argonaut member Al Waters noted, events like these are possible when many volunteers each contribute a small part, creating an experience that benefits the entire RC boating community.
The San Diego Argonauts congratulate Bill Bridge, Al Waters, and all of the volunteers, racers, and supporters who helped make the 2026 NAMBA Power Boat Championships such a memorable success. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to the pond again soon.
The latest episode of San Diego Argonauts Radio is now available, and it may be our most ambitious episode yet.
In Episode 10, SD Argonauts’ Commodore Jess Atkinson sits down with three of America’s top International One Metre (IOM) skippers to discuss their experiences competing at the 2026 IOM World Championship in Datchet, England, just outside London.
This special episode features in-depth interviews with:
Brian Shore – 9th Place Overall
Peter Feldman – 4th Place Overall
Gary Boell – Veteran U.S. International Competitor and Multi-Worlds Campaigner
Together, these conversations provide a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at one of the most competitive radio sailing events in the world.
Brian Shore shares the remarkable story of qualifying for the Worlds after only a handful of IOM regattas and achieving an impressive Top-10 finish. He discusses the challenges of competing against former world champions, adapting to the demanding conditions at Datchet Reservoir, and navigating the intense scrutiny of international measurement inspections.
Peter Feldman reflects on his outstanding fourth-place finish, the mental and tactical challenges of choosing the correct rig in constantly changing conditions, and the preparation required to compete at the highest level of international radio sailing. His insights into fleet management, race strategy, and the grind of a six-day championship offer valuable lessons for sailors of every level.
Gary Boell brings the perspective of one of America’s most experienced international IOM competitors, having represented the United States at World and European Championships for well over a decade. Gary discusses how far the American IOM program has progressed, the camaraderie among the ten U.S. skippers competing in England, and the pride of seeing four American boats sailing in the championship’s final A-Fleet race.
A Strong Showing for Team USA
One of the recurring themes throughout the episode is the continued rise of American IOM sailing. The United States fielded one of its strongest teams ever, with multiple skippers competing at the front of the fleet throughout the event and several finishing among the world’s elite.
The interviews highlight not only the sailing itself, but also the preparation, teamwork, sportsmanship, and dedication required to compete successfully on the world stage. From equipment tuning and rig selection to long race days and international competition, listeners will gain a deeper appreciation for what it takes to race among the best sailors in the world.
Additional Regatta Reports
Episode 10 also includes:
A report from the Region 6 DF95 Championship in Seattle from AMYA Vice President Dan Shier
Coverage of the Travelers Trophy Team Racing Event at the San Diego Model Yacht Pond
Monthly points standings for the ODOM, Soling, DF95, and IOM fleets
Results from the Bob DeBow Masters Series ODOM event
Whether you’re an active racer, a casual sailor, or simply curious about what it takes to compete at the highest levels of radio sailing, this episode offers a rare inside look at the world’s premier IOM event through the eyes of three accomplished American skippers.
A special thank you to Brian Shore, Peter Feldman, Gary Boell, and Dan Shier for sharing their time, insights, and experiences with the San Diego Argonauts community.
We hope you enjoy Episode 10 of San Diego Argonauts Radio.
Tuesday, July 7, 2026 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Mission Bay Model Boat Pond Clubhouse
The San Diego Argonauts are pleased to host our first High School Maritime Robotics & STEM Workshop Day, bringing together educators, mentors, engineers, makers, and experienced builders to explore hands-on skills that can support future maritime robotics and STEM programs for local high schools.
This workshop is part of a broader initiative to expand practical, project-based STEM education opportunities centered around marine technology, robotics, engineering, electronics, fabrication, and model boating.
The July 7 workshop represents the first step in what we hope will become an ongoing program that includes:
The development of the RoboBuoy Challenge, a new maritime robotics competition currently being designed for the 2026-2027 school year.
A Mentor & OPEN HOUSE Day on August 1, 2026, where students, parents, teachers, engineers, and potential mentors can learn more about model boating, maritime engineering, robotics, and future STEM opportunities at the pond.
Continued collaboration with local schools, educators, industry professionals, universities, and STEM organizations throughout San Diego County.
Our goal is simple: create a pathway that allows students to progress from learning basic technical skills, to building increasingly sophisticated maritime robotics projects, and ultimately to competing in a fun, educational, and highly practical engineering challenge.
The proposed RoboBuoy Challenge will encourage students to design, build, and operate autonomous and remotely controlled marine systems while developing real-world skills in engineering, electronics, fabrication, programming, communications, project management, and teamwork.
July 7 Workshop Overview
To support these future activities, participants will rotate through five instructional stations led by experienced Argonauts members and subject matter experts.
Table 1 – Basic Circuits & Connections
Instructor: Robin Cahill Simpson (or TBD)
Teaching Goals
Learn basic circuitry
Electrical safety
Grounding
Switching
Fusing
Metering
Activities
Create a basic switched circuit with fuse
Solder wire-to-wire and wire-to-connector connections
Test circuit operation and switching
Learn safe electrical practices and troubleshooting techniques
Table 2 – Batteries
Instructor: Ed Syres (or TBD)
Teaching Goals
Understand battery types
Learn charging methods and best practices
Understand series and parallel configurations
Learn common connection types
Discuss usage, charging, and storage safety
Explore waterproofing considerations
Activities
Compare battery packs wired in series versus parallel
Test and measure battery voltages
Demonstrate proper battery handling and connection techniques
Review connectors commonly used in robotics and marine applications
Table 3 – Glues & Binders
Instructor: Rob Wood (or TBD)
Teaching Goals
Understand different adhesive types
Learn where each adhesive performs best
Discuss safety considerations
Learn proper curing and setting techniques
Activities
Bond plastic-to-plastic materials
Bond acrylic and plexiglass components
Work with ABS and PVC materials
Explore epoxy applications
Learn clamping techniques
Discuss forms, jigs, and curing times
Table 4 – Control Systems
Instructor: Kurt Sellens (or TBD)
Teaching Goals
Gain familiarity with basic radio-control systems
Understand motor control systems
Learn about servos, receivers, and speed controllers
Explore mechanical linkage systems
Activities
Connect and bind a radio transmitter to a receiver
Add and test servos
Configure speed controllers
Demonstrate radio programming and control functions
Explore rudder and thruster linkages, pushrods, and turnbuckles
Table 5 – Cutting, Filing, Drilling & Tapping
Instructor: Jeff Sparksworthy (or TBD)
Teaching Goals
Gain familiarity with measuring and marking
Learn drilling and tapping techniques
Practice fabrication and finishing skills
Activities
Measure and mark a drilling location
Use a center punch
Drill a pilot hole in aluminum
Tap threads using an 8-32 tap
Practice filing techniques
Learn safe shop practices and proper tool usage
Building Maritime STEM in San Diego
The San Diego Argonauts believe that some of the best STEM education happens when students can design, build, test, troubleshoot, and improve real-world systems with their own hands.
By combining engineering, electronics, fabrication, programming, radio-control systems, autonomous technologies, and maritime applications, we hope to create engaging learning opportunities that inspire the next generation of innovators, engineers, scientists, and marine technologists.
The July 7 workshop is intended to bring together educators, mentors, and technical volunteers to help shape the future of maritime STEM education in San Diego.
If successful, this effort will continue with our Mentor & Open House Day on August 1, 2026, followed by the launch of the RoboBuoy Challenge during the upcoming school year.
We invite teachers, engineers, makers, mentors, students, and STEM supporters to join us as we work to build a unique maritime robotics program for San Diego’s next generation of innovators.
Related Programs
⚓ RoboBuoy Challenge (Coming 2026-2027 School Year)
The San Diego Argonauts are currently working with educators, engineers, and industry professionals to develop the RoboBuoy Challenge, a maritime robotics competition designed for high school students throughout Southern California.
The challenge will encourage students to apply engineering, electronics, programming, fabrication, navigation, and teamwork skills to solve real-world maritime robotics problems in a fun and competitive environment.
Students, teachers, parents, mentors, and community members are invited to visit the pond, meet Argonauts members, learn about model boating, RC sailing, and maritime STEM opportunities, and explore ways to get involved.
The event will provide an opportunity for prospective students and mentors to learn more about the upcoming RoboBuoy Challenge and other educational initiatives being developed by the San Diego Argonauts.
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!
The San Diego Argonauts Scale Division held a beautiful “Age of Sail” gathering at the Mission Bay Model Boat Pond on May 9th, featuring an impressive collection of classic schooners and traditional sailing vessels.
Members brought out a variety of finely crafted scale sailboats inspired by the great Age of Sail era — from elegant schooners to detailed tall ship models — creating a scene that looked like a miniature historic harbor brought to life.
The combination of steady winds, detailed craftsmanship, and camaraderie made for a memorable day at the pond. Spectators and fellow members enjoyed watching the graceful sailing characteristics of these classic vessels as they navigated the water under full sail.
A special thank you to everyone who participated, helped organize the event, and shared their beautiful boats with the club and visitors.
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!
