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John Tentor has retired from racing after 40+ years of sailing

Many of us have come to know John Tentor not only as an accomplished sailor, club champion and historian, Foghorn Newsletter editor, but also as a friend.

With his warm personality, infectious smile, and willingness to help out, John has seen many of us learn the ropes of sailing. He was instrumental in founding the fleet and keeping it alive during the last thirty years.

John officially retired from racing in the fleet's regular season in 2009.

His generosity and dedication to the club seem to never run out. Even when retired, John continues to participate in our club's social events to the delight of all members.

To read John's story in his own words, please click on the link.

Thank you John for all you have done for us and for the club!

San Diego Sunfish Club's History

from John Tentor's fleet history files

compiled by Beata Piehl

The first indication of Sunfish activity in San Diego was recorded in 1965, followed by forming Sunfish Fleet No. 127 in 1966, which was disbanded at the end of the 1976 sailing season
Mission Bay Sunfish Fleet No. 632 was formed in 1981 by Linda and Roger Swingle who moved to San Diego from New Jersey. What started as a family-run operation quickly became a full-fledged fleet with 18 members. Two of these members, John Tentor and Mike Waters, have stayed with the fleet until present time
In 1984 the first issue of Foghorn was published by Linda Swingle, and John Tentor was the fleet’s commodore at that time. In 1986, with the advancement in technologies, the sailing scores were printed out from a computer for the first time
In 1985 Earl and Ray Dozier, Harvey Atkinson, John Tentor, and Linda and Dave Swingle (fleet co-founders) participated in the Sunfish Regional Championships held in San Diego
1988 brought the start of the annual summer campout event at Lake Morena, which was held on and off between 1988 and 1997. The lake was permanently drained in 2001, thus ending the campouts
Mike Waters was a commodore from 1988 to 1990, followed by Jeff Annis who was a commodore from 1991 until 2005
In 1992 a few members of the fleet went to the Southwest Regional event in San Francisco, and the Swingle family moved to Colorado
In 1994 Mission Bay Sunfish Fleet, in cooperation with the Navy Yacht Club in Coronado, held another Western Regional event in San Diego
In 1996 the handicap trophy was introduced for a sailor showing the most improvement during a single season
1999 brought with it an increase in the number of races held from two to three, and potluck was introduced
In 2002 Frostbite Regatta event was introduced by a new member Anne Hinton.
An article was published about the fleet in the 2004 second issue of the Windward Leg, a USSCA newsletter (written by John Tentor)
In 2004 five new members joined the fleet
In 2006 Mission Bay Sunfish Fleet was invited to join MBYC’s One Design Regatta for the first time, and an Ocean Cruise event was introduced by a new member Rick Ten Eyck
In 2007 two new members joined the club
In 2008 club's website was designed by Les Piehl, a newly-elected commodore
In 2009 Family Days and two new awards (Best Woman Sailor and Most Tenacious Sailor) were introduced by Les to attract new members, and three new members joined the fleet. John Tentor officially retired from sailing.

Archives

from John Tentor's fleet history files

Mission Bay Sunfish Fleet No 632 ( 1981 - present )

Sunfish Fleet No 127 ( 1965 - 1976 )

San Diego Sunfish Club

Sailing on Mission Bay since 1966