A comic once said, "If the sea calls, hang up!"  In 1973, a group of Venice area sailors didn't hang up - they organized the Venice Sailing Squadron (VSS) to promote sailing, seamanship and navigation.  Today, with nearly 90 memberships, VSS is among one of the most active sailing organizations in the area.

In order to keep the dues at a minimum, the club is run entirely by club member volunteers.  VSS organizes races, cruises and bountiful monthly potluck dinners followed by informative programs related to sailing. The latter are held on the second Wednesday of each month from September through April at the Venice Community Center. We own no real estate and thus don't fit the usual definition of a yacht club.

Membership is open to anyone with an interest in sailing and sailboats. For more information check membership.

Good-natured rivalry exists between those who race and those who use their boats for cruising. The racers doubt that a cruiser knows you're not supposed to hit the starting buoy on your way to victory. The cruisers question the racer's ability to survive the savage sea and find the sea buoy marking the entrance to Boca Grande, let alone Nassau, Bermuda or New York. Some members have split personalities and both race and cruise. VSS sponsors two race series annually. October through May the club plans monthly cruises to various ports-of-call which are usually one to two overnights.

In addition to the camaraderie shared afloat and at the potlucks, the social scene includes a steak cookout in October, a Holiday Party in December, and the Change-Of-Watch cookout in May. The October steak and Change-Of-Watch cookouts are supplied by VSS. Also in December, members recognize Venice area bridge tenders and the local Coast Guard with gifts of holiday cookies delivered by Santa and his helpers.

The Venice Sailing Squadron meets every second Wednesday of the month during the season for potluck suppers and educational programs. These events are held at the Venice Community Center, Venice.  The meeting time is 6:30 p.m.

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Elected Officers

                                    Commodore                     Steve Saewert
                                    Vice Commodore             Bill Whalen 
                                    Fleet Capt Cruising          Don & Carol Duncan
                                    Fleet Capt Racing            John Lynch
                                    Fleet Capt Operations      Polly Gates
                                    Secretary                          Pat Saewert
                                    Treasurer                          Don Marik
                                    Board Position 1              Bill Dowling
                                    Board Position 2              Goree Waugh
                                    Board Position 3              Lois Abrams
                                    Board Position 4              Hank Evering

Fleet Support 
                                    Website                            Goree Waugh
                                    Directory                          Goree Waugh
                                    Tell Tale                           Goree Waugh
                                    Membership                      Bill Whalen
                                    Publicity                            Hank Evering
                                    Ships Store                        John & Marylin Ferguson

Event Chairmen
                                    C.O.W.                              Open
                                    Holiday Party                    Bill Dowling / Polly Gates
                                    Boat Parade                      Open
                                    Christmas Cookies            Debbie Whalen

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