Our 2026 San Diego Argonauts Open House is in the books, and what a day it was!
First and foremost, thank you to everyone who volunteered, brought boats, shared their expertise, cooked food, helped with setup and cleanup, or simply spent time welcoming visitors. This event was a tremendous success because of you.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the day was seeing approximately one-quarter of our membership come together to make it happen. Members displayed their boats, taught newcomers how to sail, staffed STEM and Maker exhibits, answered countless questions, cooked lunch, hauled equipment, and made every visitor feel welcome.
The atmosphere at the pond was fantastic from start to finish.
Hundreds of Hands-On Experiences
Throughout the day, visitors had the opportunity to explore nearly every aspect of our hobby.
Beautiful sailboats, scale models, and power boats were on display, while many guests took the controls of an RC sailboat for the very first time.
One of the highlights was watching children—and plenty of adults—go from never having touched an RC sailboat to confidently sailing upwind in just 10 to 15 minutes.
It’s always exciting to see how quickly people discover that RC sailing is both approachable and incredibly rewarding.
STEM & Maker Faire Activities
A special thank-you goes to Jeff Sparksworthy, Rob Wood, Robin Cahill Simpson, and Steve Delva, who created and staffed our STEM and Maker Faire tables.
Visitors explored topics including:
– Electronics and batteries
– Radio control systems
– Glues and adhesives
– Fabrication techniques
– Building methods and tools
These hands-on exhibits sparked countless conversations and demonstrated that our hobby is much more than simply sailing boats—it’s a wonderful blend of engineering, craftsmanship, creativity, and lifelong learning.
Thank You to Our Volunteers
It’s always risky to start naming names because someone deserving is inevitably forgotten, but several members deserve special recognition.
- Bob and Gil kept everyone well fed with the famous BobDogs.
- Bill Bridge quietly handled countless behind-the-scenes tasks, including bringing coolers and helping with cleanup.
- John Scripps made the pizza run happen.
- Jess Atkinson, Pat Nevitt, and Tom Warren spent much of the day greeting visitors, answering questions, and representing the club.
- Jon Rogers, Dennis Rogers, Gil, John Scripps, Keith, Steve Ross, Ben, Tom, Pat, and many others generously handed over transmitters and patiently taught visitors the basics of RC sailing throughout the day.
Special recognition also goes to Pat Nevitt and Dave Endert for bringing their beautiful schooners, which attracted plenty of attention.
Looking Toward the Future
One particularly exciting outcome was the attendance of two local high school teachers, who expressed genuine interest in partnering with the San Diego Argonauts on future STEM education programs. They experienced firsthand how RC boats can inspire students to learn about engineering, physics, electronics, and teamwork, and we’re looking forward to continuing those conversations.
Another idea that emerged throughout the day was to host similar events several times each year. Rather than limiting ourselves to one annual Open House, we’d like to organize periodic “Learn to RC Sail“ days focused simply on introducing newcomers to this wonderful hobby.
Thank You!
Finally, thank you once again to every member who helped make this event such a success.
As several members said afterward, this truly was an “Outstanding day at the pond.” The enthusiasm, generosity, and willingness to share our hobby with others reminded all of us what makes the San Diego Argonauts such a special club.
If you took photos or videos during the event, please send us a few of your favorites—we’ll continue updating this recap as more memories from the day come in.
We can’t wait to do it again!