Junior Sailing News
Kids coaching kids creates excitement and connection!
On Saturday, June 14, Vallarta Yacht Club hosted a Junior Sailing Demo Day, welcoming local kids and their parents to learn more about what our youth sailing program is all about.
What made the day extra special was that our junior sailors were the ones in charge—acting as coaches and guides for the day. They demonstrated how to rig and launch the boats, answered questions, and then took the prospective kids out for a short sail around the marina. For many, it was their first time on a sailboat, and the smiles said it all.
It’s not every day you watch a 10-year-old grow into a national champion, world traveler, and inspirational coach—but that’s exactly what Vallarta Yacht Club witnessed with Cris Ortiz. Cris has been part of the VYC family since she was just 10 years old. Her mother, Marie Elena Vivas, moved the family to the area after recognizing that her three children were exceptionally talented sailors who needed regular training in Banderas Bay to reach their full potential.
Cris grew up in the Junior Sailing program at VYC and, along with her twin sister Andrea, was a force to be reckoned with. The two dominated WesMex Regattas, often leaving with three trophies apiece. Early in her sailing career, Cris earned spots in several prestigious international competitions during her Optimist (Opti) days.
Rising Star: Lyn Salgado’s Passion for Sailing
Vallarta Yacht Club’s Junior Sailing program is home to some incredible young talent, and among them is Lyn Salgado, a rising star whose dedication and love for the sport continue to impress. With the support of generous VYC members, Lyn recently competed in the Mayan Wind Fest in Cancún, where she secured an impressive third-place finish in her ILCA sailboat.
Vallarta Yacht Club's summer program offers kids an unforgettable experience learning to sail on Banderas Bay and so much more! Since its inception in 2007, the VYC Summer Program has introduced hundreds of children to the exhilarating world of sailing aboard our club’s fleet of sailboats.
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.