Ship Ahoy

The Santa Barbara Yacht Club (SBYC) was all decked out in its nautical garb in honor of Opening Day Ceremonies and so were all the members. It was the 147^th Opening Day. SBYC is the second oldest club on the west coast of North America. The morning began with mimosas and coffee, followed by a yummy, more than you can eat, buffet. With everything you could wish for including blintzes and crispy bacon we pigged out.

Cub Scout Mesa Pack 11, Dylan Seawards, Max Lorenz, and Sean Birchall presented the colors. No problem. Dylan led the pledge of allegiance and Teen Star Winner Jackson Gillies sang the national anthem. It was just announced he gets to audition for American Idol. What a thrill with thousands vying to do that. Lauren Cantin, who is a 2019 Teen Star finalist and a mudslide survivor, sang God Bless America.

Judith Muller blessed the fleet. In her prayer she mentioned, “A sailor’s heaven, where nothing ever rusts” besides wishing for a fair wind and following sea. Commodore Scott Deardorff, vice commodore Garry Pawlitski, and rear commodore Andra Escolla were there to greet members and all the visiting dignitaries who came from Yacht Clubs as far away as San Diego to San Francisco.

Scott told us, “We moved to this location in 1950 leasing the land from the city for $1 a year. The building cost $118,000 to build.” They are proud of the Youth Sailing Foundation, which trains young sailors and is for all the community, not just SBYC member’s children. Sigrid Toye was praised for spearheading the flag project on the breakwater. The women’s auxiliary has been around since 1989. Lil Nelson is the current president.

After close inspection of all parts of a boat the judges finally chose Taxi Dancer for the Jefferson Canon Award. Eight bells were rung for those members who went to sailor’s heaven this year.

There was the parade of fleet and Casper’s trophy race in the afternoon. Guests could go onto a boat if they chose. And the SBYC was officially opened for another season.