In this latest episode of San Diego Argonauts Radio, Commodore Jess Atkinson takes us on a tour of the Pacific Northwest RC sailing scene—highlighting some of the most active clubs, unique sailing venues, and passionate communities from Oregon to Washington to Idaho, and even up to Salt Spring Island.
From the diverse fleets of the Rose City Model Yacht Club in Portland, to the strong IOM and DF95 presence in Seattle and Olympia, and the scenic sailing spots like Seafarers Memorial Park in Anacortes, this episode is packed with insights for anyone looking to travel, explore, or connect with other RC sailors.
You’ll also hear stories of legendary regattas like the Hood River Carnage, a look into grassroots boat-building culture (including T37 workshops at the Wooden Boat Museum), and tips on how to use the AMYA website to find clubs, regattas, and class info anywhere in the country.
The episode also wraps with updates on the DF95 Traveler Series stop in Sacramento, the IOM World Championships in the UK, and the always-popular Battle in Seattle.
Whether you’re a seasoned racer or just getting into RC sailing, this episode is a great reminder: there’s a whole world of ponds—and great people—waiting out there.
A Real-World Robotics & Autonomous Systems Competition
The San Diego Argonauts, San Diego’s premier radio-controlled model boating club since 1959, is seeking one or more local high school or college robotics teams to collaborate on a real-world applied engineering project.
The Challenge
Design, build, and deploy a GPS-guided robotic buoy capable of:
For inquiries from educators, faculty advisors, or student team leads:
Please visit our Contact page and / or reach out to:
Jeff Sparksworthy
Kerim Baran
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Update & resources for project teams:
The following resources and information were shared with us after our outreach. These can be valuable resources for the project teams willing to work on this project:
In line with our recent Board and Member meeting discussions, our Commodore Jess Atkinson has encouraged members to step up into a new volunteer role—Fleet Captains—for each of our four sailboat classes.
Here are the Fleet Captains by class:
IOM: Dennis Rogers DF95: Jack Calafato ODOM: Keith Sternal Soling 50: Ben Reeves
These Fleet Captains will help coordinate the setup and breakdown of the regatta course during point series weekends, aligned with the order of racing. The first fleet of the day will take the lead on setting the course and getting the skiff out on the water, while the final fleet will handle course breakdown and help clean and secure the skiff.
In addition, Fleet Captains are responsible for coordinating help and arranging backups or replacements as needed—making sure each weekend runs smoothly even if schedules shift.
This new system kicks off on May 9th with the ODOM & Soling race day.
This is a simple but important step toward keeping our race days organized and efficient—and a great example of the Argonauts community pitching in to support one another.
A Deep Dive into the History & Community of RC Sailing in California
In this episode of San Diego Argonauts Radio, Commodore Jess Atkinson takes the mic solo to deliver a rich, insider tour of RC sailing across California. Drawing on decades of experience and deep connections throughout the community, Jess offers a deep-dive perspective on the people, ponds, and clubs that shape the Region 8 sailing scene.
The episode takes listeners on a journey up the coast—from San Diego to Northern California—highlighting the diversity of clubs, racing styles, and fleets. From tight, shifty local ponds to world-class venues, Jess breaks down what makes each location unique, how different classes demand different techniques, and how sailors stay connected through shared events, competition, and long-standing relationships.
One listener on Spotify captured the spirit of it perfectly: “So cool how plugged in you are with the other chapters! You should do a big episode with some other commodores! Kinda like the meeting of the families in The Godfather.”
We couldn’t agree more—this episode feels exactly like that: a behind-the-scenes look at a tightly connected network of clubs and personalities that together form the backbone of RC sailing in California and beyond.
Jess also covers major international and domestic racing & clinic highlights, including standout U.S. performances at the British Nationals and a preview of the upcoming IOM World Championships.
Closer to home, the episode wraps with a full recap of the 2026 DF95 Region 8 Championship at the San Diego Model Boat Pond—an outstanding weekend of racing, great conditions, and classic Argonauts hospitality, made possible by a dedicated group of volunteers and competitors from across the country.
Whether you’re a seasoned racer or just discovering RC sailing, Episode 6 of the Argonauts Raido is a must-listen—a blend of history, storytelling, and competitive insight that captures what makes this community so special.
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.
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.
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.
