The Harbor Columns

Terrence Phillips

Once again, we’re getting close to that time when yacht clubs hold their

traditional Opening Day ceremonies.

For those of you who are not members of a yacht club, let me explain.

Opening Day is a joyous event where sailors celebrate the departure of

Old Man Winter and welcome the sun, and that means it’s time to break out

your white slacks and blue blazers. Club members gather together to

declare the official opening of the summer season, give a few lengthy

speeches, raise the club burgee, sing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” host an

open house aboard their boats, visit other yacht clubs and facilitate a

blast from an iron cannon. It’s a wonderful tradition that all yacht

clubs look forward to hosting.

Yacht clubs come in all sizes and shapes. Some are very traditional and

have tried to maintain the protocol that has been in place since the

beginning of time. Others have gravitated to more nontraditional ideas

and seem to have found their niches, as well.

In our harbor we have eight organizations functioning as full-service

yacht clubs. The granddaddy is the Newport Harbor Yacht Club, which was

established in the early 1920s, very traditional and steeped in

tradition.

The Balboa Yacht Club is also considered a very traditional club with a

tremendous racing history.

The American Legion Yacht Club requires that you be an Armed Forces

veteran or the child of a vet.

The South Shore Yacht Club is one of my favorites, as it reminds me of

the days when my parents were members of the Mission Bay Yacht Club in

San Diego. Very small, lots of family-oriented activities, limited

facilities but an abundance of energy.

The Voyagers Yacht Club was organized in 1941. It is the host club of the

“Humphrey Bogart” and “Hot Rum” race series.

The newest club in the harbor is the Newport Beach Yacht Club. NBYC is

growing rapidly, very cost-effective, has a great facility and already

has sponsored several races.

The Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club has a wonderful facility, very social, as

well as developing a great sailing tradition.

The Lido Island Yacht Club requires that you live on Lido Island and has

that close, neighborly feel to it.

There are a few other smaller organizations that also function as yacht

clubs. Each provides its own unique service to the boating community and

as the interior decorator would tell you, “not everyone likes the same

color.” There is something for everyone, and every yacht club is

different.

For information about becoming a member of one of these fine

organizations or more about their Opening Day ceremonies, please review

the following list:

Saturday, May 7:

Newport Harbor Yacht Club (949) 673-7730

Saturday, May 13:

Newport Beach Yacht Club (949) 760-0221

Voyagers Yacht Club (949) 760-0221

South Shore Yacht Club (949) 646-3102

Balboa Yacht Club (949) 673-3515

Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club (949) 644-9530

American Legion Yacht Club (949) 673-5070

Lido Island Yacht Club (949) 673-5119