David Sites’s 2024 Century Club Boating Journey Logging 731 Consecutive On-Water Days
When we launched the SpinSheet Century Club 11 years ago, we weren’t sure anyone would be interested in challenging themselves to log 100 days on the water… or more. Our first year, we had 50 club members with the highest number of days on the water exceeding 250! Every year, that number has gone up a bit more than the previous year, until 2023, when Annapolis boater David Sites logged 365 days on the water, making him the top Centurion among 120 members.
In 2024—a leap year—he logged 366 on-water days, making his record-breaking total sum 731 consecutive days leaving the dock! David is our first Super Centurion, and we doubt there will be a second. Here’s a bit about his exceptional journey in his words:
Last year, you thought you’d take a rest in 2024 from your daily on-the-water habit—but you went out every day. What made you change your mind?
It’s kind of a funny story. When we were at the Boatyard Bar and Grill for the Century Club get together to put my name on the club plaque on the wall, I stuck my foot in my mouth and said, “At least nobody can beat me.” Someone said, “You realize that this is a leap year and there are 366 days, right?” I hadn’t missed a day yet at that point and sort of challenged myself at that moment to go for 366. I’m really hoping that there will not be a double leap year in my lifetime. LOL.
What’s the best thing about leaving the dock every day?
I never know what I will find on my trip. Some days I would go out with no determined destination, but something cool always seemed to pop up. I love documenting what I see to share with everyone. I feel like the more beauty of the Chesapeake Bay that I share, the more people will respect it and want to experience it for themselves.
Three favorite days on the water?
I had so many great days on the water that it would be hard to pick three favorites. I can say that my favorite days usually involve friends. Whether it was going to a boat docking competition with Drew Payne and friends on the Big Worm charter boat, sailing on the Schooners Woodwind I and II with Jen and crew with a bunch of my friends, or teaming up with some photographer friends to document cool things that go on in the Bay. The people that I have met and the things that I have seen are priceless.
Did you have any scary on-water experiences last year?
I haven’t really had any scary experiences on the water. There have been a few spooky moments, fog for instance. It’s a bit spooky when you’re in the middle of the Bay and visibility is about 100 feet at best. It seems like things are usually more of a challenge to me than they are scary.
Have you connected with other Century Club members this year?
Yes, there are a few century club members that I stay in touch with on a regular basis. We had a few get-togethers, on and off the water.
Favorite wildlife sightings?
I love seeing the wildlife in our area. It’s always fun to see some of the regulars like the ospreys and the ducks. I like seeing and trying to get some photos of the great blue herons also. Some of my favorites this year are the bald eagles, pelicans, and even a few dolphins on occasion. I rarely see pelicans but was able to get some good photos of a couple of them twice this year, under the Bay Bridge.
What’s the latest with Drew the Coyote?
Where do I start and where do I stop with Drew? It was quite a ride to locate the dock that got ripped from the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse with Drew still attached. The DNR had contacted us and told us roughly where it was, so my buddy Marc and I went and rescued him. We also dealt with the dock to make it safe for the night because the Bay still had four-foot waves from the storm, so it was too hard to tow it.
I had way too much fun having Drew travel along with me all summer to get photos with him all around the Bay. We were even invited up onto the Baltimore Lighthouse to check it out. Now there is a book out, which was written by Natasha Nash and uses my photos along with her illustrations. It is called “Drew‘s Grand Adventure” and is available on Amazon. All proceeds go to support the Thomas Point Shoal Light which really makes me happy.
What is your advice for newcomers to the Century Club?
My advice for anyone that plans to participate in the Century Club in 2025 is to just have fun with it. Set your own goals to challenge yourself. The whole idea is to enjoy your time on the water and to maybe try new things and visit new places. I know that I definitely have.
Learn more about the club here. The goal is to get more people on the water more often in all types of vessels. It’s free and open to all. Join the fun!
