2025 Year End Message

As we near the end of 2025, it's time to reflect and celebrate all that we've accomplished together—and to ask for your support in making 2026 even better. 2025 has been an incredible year for Sail Orcas, thanks to your generosity. Your support brings the joy of sailing to Orcas Island.

Sail Orcas is a volunteer-run nonprofit that's all about getting people of all ages out on the water. Whether it's through introducing youth to sailing, helping adults discover a new hobby, or teaching our school sailing team how to race, we're passionate about making sailing accessible to everyone. Our mission is to teach the skills of this lifetime sport, while fostering teamwork, sportsmanship, camaraderie, and marine stewardship.

• More than 350 people participated in our learn-to-sail, community programs and race teams.
• Sail Orcas Open Houses with free sailboat rides were very well attended by the community.
• Orcas Highschool Sailing Team Alum Moose Kinsey did an excellent job as head instructor for our 2025 summer sailing camps. Miranda Jones, Emmett Beadnall, Else Ranker and Wolf Zohar all helped making the camps a big success. Owen said, "The summer camp instructors were amazing and taught me so much about sailing! I did it several weeks in a row!"
• Orcas Middle School Exploratory classes were well received with Yotam Zohar, Robin Hirsch, LJ Miller and Tate Wester organizing the kids and OIHS students Leo Battles, Wolf Zohar and Forrest Miller stepping up to instruct the students on the water.
• Head coach Tate Wester, Justin Blevins and many other volunteers did a great job coaching the OIHS & OIMS sailing team this fall! Ellery said "Everyone has been very welcoming and supportive on the sailing team! I really enjoy learning new ways to sail (even backwards!)"
• Women's Learn to Sail classes went well thanks to instructors, Stephanie Arnold, Robin Hirsch and Christina Wolfe.

How you can help:

• Make a Donation: Any amount helps us reach our goals! Donate today at the Orcas Island Community Foundation's Sail Orcas online fund or send a check to Sail Orcas, PO Box 1226. Eastsound WA 98245-1226
• Share Our Story: Help spread the word by sharing this letter with your friends, family, and fellow sailors. The more people who know about Sail Orcas, the more lives we can impact.
• Volunteer: It takes help from the community to run programs like this. There are many opportunities for both sailors and non-sailors to help. Please contact me at orcassailingcoach@gmail.com

Together, we're making a lasting impact on the lives of our sailors and the broader Orcas Island community. Thank you for your continued support—without it, none of this would be possible.

Warmly,

Burke Thomas,
President Sail Orcas