YachtCon is back, and this time it’s virtual

Way back in 2015 we had an idea: What if we invited some friends and listeners to watch us record a podcast live. Realizing that no one really wanted to just sit around and watch us talk, we started adding elements to jazz it up a bit. By the time we were done planning, we had enough things going on that we bestowed a title upon the event: YachtCon.

Ever since then, we’ve tweaked and supplemented the format. We’ve moved it from a warehouse to restaurants to an actual theater. We’ve made countless memories, hopefully fostered some IRL connections and helped raise more than $30,000 for various Seattle Children’s Hospital departments. The peak came last year when we raised more than $10,000 for the SCH Autism Center through direct donations and combination of ticket, auction and merchandise sales.

For many of us, it was the last “big” event we attended. A couple weeks later, Seattle was essentially in a lockdown that we’re only now starting to imagine the complete end of.

While we contemplated completely canceling this year’s event — we’re all pretty burnt on zoom-only events — we decided to push forward after we came up with a format that we hope will translate well, provide a valuable experience, be a ton of fun, allow you to see different sides of your favorite Sounders personalities and hopefully raise some money for our charity partner. YachtCon: Back to School was born.

Unlike previous one-night events, we’re spreading the elements of YachtCon over two weeks from March 15-28. Roughly every other night — for now — we’ll be doing something YachtCon related. Some of the events will be courses where we’re partnering with some of our friends in the food, drink and entertainment industry, other nights we’ll be doing interviews, running a Dungeons and Dragons adventure or hosting a pub quiz.

Once again, we’re donating proceeds to the Autism Center, who are planning to use the funds to purchase Big Red Safety Boxes for their families. You can make tax-deductible donations directly if you’re so inclined.

Each of the courses that contain optional lab materials have a cost associated with them and are noted. The lectures only require registration. All courses can be audited for free, but we’re asking all students to register. Anyone who registers will have access to live chat where questions can be asked.

You can purchase tickets and read our course catalog on our EventBrite page.

Here’s a quick rundown of some of what you can expect:

FPW 202: Refined Wine-Tasting (Wed 3/17, 7pm PT)

Full Pull Wines presents a virtual wine-tasting experience for the novice and connoisseur alike. Students will participate in the tasting of two wines for those with two stars and the quest for more. Optional textbook add-on available.

• $60- lab supplies included, curbside pickup in Seattle only
• $0- Free/audit version, use your own supplies optional

TDO 017: Creative Cocktailing (Fri 3/19, 7pm PT)

Craft cocktail expert from local bar The Doctor’s Office welcomes Will Bruin as your surrogate student in a guide through the intersection of cocktails and their healing powers. Students will participate in the creation of two distinct cocktails and obtain the skills necessary to craft their own creations.

• $40- lab supplies included, curbside pickup in Seattle only
• $0- Free/audit version, use your own supplies optional

DDD 253: Invasion of the Trees (Sun 3/21)

Led by famed Sounder at Heart Dungeon Master Dave Clark, students will participate in a Defiantly Tacoma 5th edition D&D adventure inspired by the South Sound. Two Tacoma celebs will be members of your party. VERY limited active spots available for a small-group one-shot adventure collaboration; all other registered students will be at the audit level. Each player will receive a one hour one-on-one character creation session, character art, a set of D&D dice, in addition to the 3 hour adventure.

• $60- active D&D player/participant
• $0- Free/audit version

ART 206: Adventures in MLS Watercoloring (Wed 3/24, 7pm PT)

Graduates of the MLS Watercolors course will focus on curriculum in fundamentals of delightful doodling, color mixing and painting of some of our favorite Sounders FC personalities.

• $40- lab supplies included, shipped within the continental US.
• $0- Free/audit version, use your own supplies optional

PZA 007: Fashionable Pizza Making (Fri 3/26, 7pm PT)

Join our professor, owner of famed pizza establishment The Masonry, in a comprehensive hands-on training to prepare students to be near-expert level home pizza enjoyers.

• $60- lab supplies included, curbside pickup in Seattle only
• $0- Free/audit version, use your own supplies optional

GM 442: How to Maintain a Dynasty (Sun 3/28, 7pm PT)

Sounders President and General Manager Garth Lagerwey will join YachtCollege dean Jeremiah in a special seminar course as students learn the secrets of creating the best soccer team in North America.

• $0- Free/audit version

As always, this is a completely volunteer-run event. The Nos Audietis and Sounder at Heart crews are donating their time to help create something special for all of you.

We’ll be adding more courses and lectures in the coming weeks, so be sure to be on the lookout for those. We’ll also have YachtCollege gear like shirts, stickers and posters that you can purchase to show your back-to-school spirit. We look forward to seeing you on our virtual campus soon! And remember, you’ll never yacht alone.