A charter fishing trip turned exciting Thursday morning when those aboard came within five feet of what they believed to be a surfacing great white shark.

Buddy Vanderhoop, captain of the charter boat Tomahawk III, was taking his charter customers out for a morning of fishing when they came upon the nearly-20-foot shark about a mile offshore, between Aquinnah and Noman’s Land.

The Vineyard Haven Yacht Club is hosting the U.S. Junior Windsurfing National Championships in Vineyard Haven harbor on August 1 and 2. The tournament also includes Mexico and Canada. Windsurfers will be competing in four age groups from 11 to 19 years old.

The Vineyard will be represented by several sailors including Eli Hanschka, Elie Jordi, Rasmus Sayre, Simon Elliott and Emily King.

Also competing in a separate class will be the Kona Class New England Windsurfing Championship which is open to all ages.

Celebrated author Joyce Carol Oates is coming to the Vineyard to headline the Vineyard Playhouse's next Monday Night Special on July 30.

The Monday night events, held each week at 7 p.m. at the Hebrew Center in Vineyard Haven, introduce works-in-progress and give the audience the opportunity to talk with the artists involved, perhaps even giving advice.

Possibly the biggest, and certainly the longest, sailboat races of summer come together this weekend. On Saurday, 74 sailboats are expected to race around the Island in the Edgartown Yacht Club’s annual Round the Island race. The race — about 52 miles in length — starts in early morning and lasts all day, taking boats clockwise around the Island.

The second annual Cool Pool Parties fundraising event to benefit the YMCA is this Saturday, July 28, from 7 to 10 p.m.

The idea is simple and yet ingenious. Guests are invited to choose one of three private Vineyard properties to relax poolside and enjoy a party matched to a particular theme.

Batch on Hatch is hosted by Kathy and Jim Gidwitz and takes place in Vineyard Haven. This party features music by Andy Suzuki and food by Kitchen Porch catering.