History
The International Penguin Class Dinghy Association was founded by WRSC founder William W. Heintz. Billy was looking for a simple boat that could be built by a non-professional boat builder using the available, inexpensive materials. Phil Rhodes, the famed naval architect, was contacted by Billy, and after some revision to a design rejected by the Larchmont Yacht Club, Phil came up with a set of plans for an 11 and a half-foot cat-rigged dinghy. Billy and Ralph Youngs organized a group of 12 potential sailors and the frames for the first 12 boats were prepared in Billy’s basement. Since the boats were to be used primarily in the off-season, for a frostbite series, Billy’s wife May decided that they should be called Penguins. With this agreed, the newly built fleet started racing on the Potomac. At the time, the Old Dominion Boat Club (ODBC) on the foot of King St. in Alexandria was one of the premiere sailing clubs in the area. One would wonder if this upscale club served as the model for the more down to earth group of sailors who formed Our Own Damn Yacht Club (OODYC) on the West River, which later assumed the more proper name of the West River Sailing Club. Penguin fleet #1 formed on the Potomac River, although right from the beginning, Penguins were racing on the West River. It was not until the early 1950’s, when the Penguins were introduced into the junior sailing program at WRSC, did the West River Fleet formally organize. Fleet 19 has been resurrected, after lying dormant for many years.

Racing Penguins
The West River fleet hosts three events, which are open to all Penguin sailors. On June 5th, 2004, the Atlantic Coast Championship will be held. On September 1st, Penguins will race at the WRSC Annual Regatta. In the past, we have had the priveledge of launching from the home of Billy Heintz, which provides a less congested staging area than the club (no long walk from off-site parking), and is an easy sail to the racing area. The final event of the season is the Frostbite regatta, scheduled for November 13th. This is raced in front of the club, and is always followed by a warm, hearty meal.
Most of the Penguin sailing on the Bay consists of a series of regattas, hosted by a number of clubs. Due to the large number of racing options available, fleet sailing at West River has yet to develop. We have a standing invitation to join the Lasers in their Friday night Summer Series, and in their Frostbite series. If enough club members are interested, this could be initiated.


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Charlie Krafft