Vallarta Yacht Club's signature event is now in the record books and despite the lack of cooperation from the wind on some of the race days it was quite a competition.  The field of competitors was the largest in the 7 year history of this event with   53 Lasers, 77 Optimist, and as an added treat twenty 420 dinghies, crewed by members of the Mexican Navy.  What was really great for the local area was the participation of 19 kids from the club's Junior Sailing Program - 5 sailing Lasers and 15 sailing Optimists. The average age of the young folks participating in the Optimist class was the youngest ever in the history of this race.

Seven of the Laser competitors were ranked in the top 20 Laser racers in the world, including #1 ranked Laser racer Tom Slingsby of Australia.  These top racers not only added to the competitive excitement of the event but added a bit of an "awe" factor that seemed to motivate many of the younger sailors.  A good example was when one of the young competitors asked Tom Sligsby to autograph her life jacket.  When Tom gladly signed the jacket and them kneeled down to allow the competitor's mother to take a picture of the two of them together one would imagine that this young girl's desire to emulate the competitive spirit of someone who was undoubtedly her "hero" was increased many fold.

Come one, come all to the first Vallarta Yacht Club Town Hall Meeting. This meeting will be held at the club, starting at 3pm on April 2.

Come and hear reports from your new club officers, discuss the future of VYC, and maybe say goodbye to some of your fellow members who are leaving for the season.

Got something you want to discuss? Click the "Comment" link below.

Do you know what to do if a person stops breathing? Do you know how to administer CPR?

In addition to his many volunteer efforts, long time VYC member Dr. Jim "Toothpick" Nordstrom continues his work in first aid training. Last weekend, four students graduated from Toothpick's excellent class, which includes CPR, the use of oxygen and the use of Portable Defibrillators (AED). 

The latests graduates are Miklus and Barbara Endroy from the sailing vessel Navigator, and guests Janet and Jim Halliday from the vessel Ozzy. Our heartfelt contratulations go out to these people. To date, Dr. Nordstrom has taught 53 people from the Vallarta Yacht Club, plus ten staff members, and others in condos throughout the Nuevo Vallarta area. Congratulations to all, and sincere thanks to Dr. Nordstrom for freely giving of his time and expertise to communicate such valuable knowledge.

If you would like to thank Toothpick for all the great work he does, click "Comments" below.

Vallarta Yacht Club is gearing up for WesMex, and this one is going to be huge! Our signature event typically attracts competitors from all over Mexico and the world - this year is no exception.  While WesMex usually includes Laser and Optimist Class sailors, this year we have an extra treat.  The Mexican Navy has agreed to participate with their newly acquired 420 fleet of 2 person dinghys. Competition between the twenty boats will begin March 11 with an opening ceremony that will include the Navy band with local and national dignataries. Crewed by Mexican Navy cadets and officers competing against each other, we expect exciting racing.

The Navy 420s will compete from March 11 to 15, then competitions for Laser and Optimists begin.