Vallarta Yacht Club

If you just happened to be on a spectator boat watching the WesMex International Dinghy Regatta that happened last month off of the Nuevo hotel zone, you wouldn’t be surprised to hear the news.  Two of our Vallarta Yacht Club sailors are now considered among the best in all of Mexico! 

Adrian Varela, son of Ana Barba and Juan Varela, will represent Mexico at the Optimist Worlds Championship to be held at Lake Garda, Italy in July.   This is a tremendous honor, as only the top five sailors in each country receive an invitation to this event. 

Also in July, Carlos Sainz, son of Carlos and Pony Sainz, will travel to Bermuda with a team of 10 sailors to represent Mexico at the Optimist North American championship.  Again a tremendous honor, and with Carlos just barely missing appointment to the World’s Team!

Both of these sailors are being sponsored by our club members  Janet and Jess Coburn who own Todo Vela Mexico.  Todo Vela has donated two Winner Boats (the top rated Optimist boats in the World) for Adrian and Carlos to sail as they train here in our VYC.  They have also contributed racing sails and held racing clinics for the sailors at no charge. Janet is heading up a major fundraiser challenge to help the sailors meet their funding goals of $9000 US dollars in order to attend the events.

You can follow the progress of our award winners on the Facebook page set up especially for them.  https://www.facebook.com/OptimistNayarit

Last evening's second annual Commodore's Gumbo was a great success. The 40 or so last hold-outs here in town gathered to share bowls of Louisana goodness and say goodbye to a few who have yet to depart for the season. It was great to see folks sitting around a huge table, smiling and laughing with old, and new, friends. Thanks to everyone who showed up.

And what a season it was. Under the guidance of people like Randy Hough, Ricki Williams, Dee Cockerham and several others, we had some great times together. We packed the house repeatedly in events like Cheeseburgers in Paradise and Luau Night (thanks Dick!). Our first-ever Porque No? auction was incredible. Thanks Dee! We enjoyed concerts by entertainers like Miki Prost, Kasianno and our good friend Tom Coster. I am so thankful for Tom's never-ending support of our club with his donations of his amazing talent year after year.

Our signature events, Banderas Bay Regatta and WesMex International Regatta will be talked about for years to come. WesMex had record numbers of participants, with many saying “this is the best run event we have ever attended”. Thanks Linda! I won't soon forget Banderas Bay Regatta participants excitedly saying, “This is the best ever! I'm coming back next year!” Thanks Randy!

Just when we thought we would be able to rest for the season, the state of Jalisco asks us to host the sailing events for the Mexican Youth Olympics. Again you stepped up to help. Thank you.

We have great memories of every one of these on-the-water events thanks to Jay's tireless efforts both on the water and off, creating and donating amazing images. Thanks Jay!

Of course, the greatest debt of gratitude goes to those members who support VYC in so many ways. From standing waist-deep in water helping kids with boats, to banging on doors to get that donation for an auction, to just making a point of coming down to the club for dinner every so often. It is you who make the club what it is – not four walls with a bar and a kitchen, but a family that shares and helps out in good times and bad.

Thank you.

It's Spring, and that means, Commodore's Gumbo Night! If you missed it last year, you won't want to miss it again! Andy will be treating members to gumbo and a few extras! 

There will be a no-host bar, and hopefully we'll be able to locate a little cajun music!

Since this is Commodore's treat, this is a member-only event. Come on down and enjoy some great gumbo and some great music. Friday, May 3. We'll start serving at 6pm. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Even the whales are excited about WesMex!

We're not sure what sailing class this baby whale wants to compete in, but it looks like he's hot on the trail of the 420s.

Our whale is just one of 250 young sailors being hosted by the VYC in WesMex 2013.  Youths from across Mexico have arrived to compete in this qualifier for the Mexican  Sailing Team.  The upcoming Jr Olympics is being held next week - also hosted by the VYC.  Entrants from Canada and the US have also traveled here to compete and test their skills on Banderas Bay, the best sailing venue in Mexico.

Classes include Optimist, Laser, 420s, and Windsurfers with sailors as young as 8 years old competing.  Check out the daily results, see photos of the races, and join the excitement!  Click here.

When the Wind Blows – Volunteers are Needed!

We all know that WesMex is one of our two signature events here at VYC. And this year, VYC has the distinct honor to be selected to be one of the four National Regattas for all of Mexico. Two more classes of sailboats have been added, so now we have Optimist, Lasers, Sailboards and 420s. All of this means that we expect to have 200 or more boats!  WOW!

Why is this so important?

It confirms that we are the premier regatta location for Mexico.The real news for the VYC is the dates. In order to provide the best and most consistent wind for the competitors, the national classes asked us to host WesMex in April. This can be a challenge for our volunteer pool, as many of our members plan to return to their homelands around Easter. Please email Linda Green if you can volunteer.

We are asking you for your help to reserve these dates if at all possible:

WesMex:     Pre-event racing clinics: 16-18 April, 2013
                    Regatta: 19-21 April

Keep an eye out for more news on the WesMex website and Facebook as we know the details. 

Please join us April 6 at 6:30pm for what is guaranteed to be a night of fun and adventure: Tango in Paradise, 2013. Hosted by the Vallarta Yacht Club, located in the Paradise Village Marina in Nuevo Vallarta.

Whether you like to dance, or prefer to watch the energy and color on the dance floor, there is enjoyment for everyone, and you will surely love the Tapas and Sangria.

While sipping your ice-cold drink, you will enjoy Beautiful Christina and Handsome Hugo spin in the air, both incredible accomplished dancers from HBoss Entertainment. After the short Tango performance, group and individual Tango lessons will follow, music playing into the night as participants get to practice, show off and just have fun.

If you are over 12 years old, your entrance fee of $300 pesos will include tapas dinner and a welcome drink of Sangria, all the tango you can dance and access to incredible raffle and silent auction items, donated by incredibly generous companies around the Bay who care and enjoy contributing to the community. Tickets for children under 12 are half price. So it’s a family fun night, open to the public Please join us!