The 18th WesMex International Small Boat Regatta Sails to Success
The 18th WesMex International Small Boat Regatta concluded with resounding success, leaving sailors and spectators alike thrilled by the displays of skill and camaraderie on the open waters. Hosted and organized by the Vallarta Yacht Club in Nuevo Nayarit in picturesque Banderas Bay, this annual regatta has become a cornerstone event in the small boat sailing community, attracting participants from around Mexico, the USA and this year, Belize.
This year's regatta, held from February 21 – 25, witnessed 126 competitors and coaches, with skilled sailors showcasing their prowess in Optimists, ILCAs, and C420s. WesMex is part of the Mexican Sailing Circuit and therefore a sequence of qualifying events for the Optimist North American Championship and Optimist World Championship. It was also a qualifier for the ILCA 6 Youth Championships. The regatta offered a diverse range of competitions, creating an electric atmosphere as sailors navigated the challenging courses with finesse and determination.
The success of the event would not have been possible without the invaluable support of our sponsors. Their unwavering commitment to the sport and the regatta allowed for the seamless execution of this world-class event. Their contributions, both financial and logistical, ensured that the WesMex International Small Boat Regatta continued to thrive, providing a platform for sailors to compete at the highest level.
Why Be a Member of VYC?
The Greek philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus is credited with the quote, “The only thing that is constant is change”. Those of us who have been members of Vallarta Yacht Club over the years have seen this bit of wisdom validated repeatedly.
So much has changed at VYC in the the past year: our eviction from our home of 22 years, movement to a new, much larger space, a change in policy that allowed non-members to use the club's bar and restaurant, and the requirement to build out a space much bigger and more flexible than our previous clubhouse. Through all that, our members have done what they always do - stepped up to make our new space a home for our VYC family.
We are reminded of the note penned by past board member Bill Noonan a decade ago, about why he loves being a member of VYC. We think it is as true now as it was then.
Grateful to Be a Member
From Bill Noonan
You know, I’ve been thinking. About Vallarta Yacht Club, to be exact. Cynthia and I have been members since we first arrived on our boat, Crème Brûlée, in 2004. At that time we were happy to find a comfortable, cool place to come, meet new people, relax with a cold beer, and just hang out. And we were really ready to have a place where we felt like we belonged, far away from our home in the Pacific Northwest.
Over that time, the Club has changed, and so have we. The patio tripled in size to become one of the most desirable and pleasant places we know of to spend time, the restaurant fare has improved dramatically, the furniture and décor has been continually upgraded, and the Club has developed an international reputation for being a World Class yacht racing venue. This Club just keeps getting better. And us? We’re 13 years older, we sold the boat, and we’re staying in a condo. What has not changed is how perfect the Club has always been for us.
It’s funny how you can go through life not paying much attention to your many blessings. In this, our thirteenth season in Paradise, we suddenly realized how special Vallarta Yacht Club has been in our lives. The Banderas Bay area has lots to offer in the way of interesting and fun things to do, great restaurants and bars, great shops and markets, endless choices for entertainment, and of course the incomparable Mexican culture. All that in a ridiculously pleasant climate on a beautiful bay surrounded by incredible beaches, with some of most amazing sunsets imaginable. That’s what brought us here in the first place, and what makes us stay around.
Paseo de Los Cocoteros #55
Local 1201 Col. Nuevo Vallarta
Bahia de Banderas
Nayarit CP 63735 +52 (322) 297-2222 office@vallartayachtclub.org Latitude: 20° 41.8867' N
Longitude: 105° 17.7630' W