Early Warning Signs of Fall

Although the autumnal equinox is still a month away, early warning signs of fall are upon us – schools are opening their doors to students, leaves are beginning to change color, and some weeknight race series are winding down.

Photographer Fred Fago reports that Encinal YC’s beer can race on the Oakland-Alameda Estuary last Friday enjoyed pleasant sailing with moderate winds and temperature while the Bay and Berkeley were getting covered with cold wind and fog. One race remains in EYC’s Summer Twilight Series, on September 5.

Meanwhile, over in foggy, windy San Francisco, South Beach YC hosted their penultimate Friday night race on a busy Giants’ game night. Although sharing the parking lot and environs with the baseball crowd is a hassle for the sailors, the fun part of racing on a game night comes when your boat crosses the finish line and the fans in the stands let out a big cheer. (Okay, so the cheering’s probably not for the boats, but still…)

SBYC’s last beer can race will be this Friday, after which the club will shift focus to the Jazz Cup on Labor Day Weekend.

Corinthian YC’s series has two more races left, this Friday and next, but Tiburon YC’s Friday nighters continue until September 12 and Berkeley’s go into actual autumn, ending on September 26. Although Friday is the most popular night for beer can series, followed by Wednesday, you can find them on every weeknight. We’ve collected the local series in one place here. Take advantage of them while you still can!