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!
Join us for a free, hands-on community event where you can experience the thrill of radio-controlled boating & sailing in an inclusive & friendly environment at the San Diego Model Boat Pond.
Whether you are a competitive sailor, weekend hobbyist, part of a sailing team, or simply curious about scale boats, this event welcomes everyone to grab a transmitter and try RC Boating!
Here’s what to expect:
* Hands-On Experience – Argonauts members will hand you the control of their own scale boats & sailboats. * Fun Mini-Courses – Short courses set up for casual mini-races, practice maneuvers, and casual boating. * Expert Coaching – Real-time guidance from experienced RC skippers sharing tips & strategies. * Free Food & Community Vibes – Picnic-style pizza & hot dogs for all who RSVP by July 29th via Eventbrite at modelboats.eventbrite.com
When & Where:
When:Saturday,Aug 1st, 2026 (10:00 AM to 2:30 PM) Where:San Diego Model Boat Pond, Mission Bay Park Cost:Free – Just show up and play!
Come learn, compete, or just play around on the water — no prior RC experience is needed.
Bring your curiosity (and maybe a friend), and let the San Diego Argonauts show you what RC boating & sailing is all about.
The San Diego Argonauts had an outstanding showing at the May 2–3, 2026 Region 8 Dragon Flight 95 Travel Trophy Regatta at Bridgeway Lakes in Sacramento, hosted by the Sacramento Model Yacht Club (SMYC).
In a competitive 14-boat fleet and breezy Northern California conditions, Argonauts sailors captured 4 of the top 5 finishing positions.
Leading the charge was Jess Atkinson with a 1st place finish, followed by Len Bose in 2nd, George Pedrick in 3rd, Dennis Rogers in 4th, and Chris Staiger in 5th.
The regatta featured steady 10–15 knot winds, fast racing, and the always-appreciated camaraderie that makes the DF95 Travel Trophy series such a favorite among skippers throughout Region 8.
In addition to the racing, the weekend highlighted everything that makes the Travel Trophy series special — road trips with fellow sailors, reconnecting with friends from other clubs, sharing stories over Saturday dinner, and learning how different clubs organize and run their events. Another fantastic weekend of competitive RC sailing, strong Argonauts results, and great camaraderie throughout Region 8.
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.
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!
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.
San Diego Argonauts recently gathered for a memorable evening at the beautiful Southwestern Yacht Club in Point Loma. With brisket on the buffet, a lively no-host bar on the deck overlooking the slips, and display tables showcasing the craftsmanship of our scale and racing divisions, the setting was perfect for celebrating another great year at the pond.
A highlight of the evening was the debut of a spectacular 22-minute video produced by former Commodore Tom Warren — a true labor of love capturing scenes from regattas, casual sailing days, boat builds, cookouts, and the countless moments that define our club culture. The video beautifully reflects the spirit of the Argonauts: competitive yet supportive, serious about rc boating & sailing yet never taking ourselves too seriously.
The banquet once again reminded us that the Argonauts are about far more than toy boats. It’s about friendship, shared stories, good-natured banter, and recognizing the accomplishments of members across all divisions. Awards were presented, laughter filled the room, and spouses and guests were warmly welcomed into our unique world of wind, water, and meticulous detail.
We invite you to relive the memories — or see what you missed — by watching this video. It’s a celebration of our boats, our pond, and our community.
