Feature
n Jeannine
Mendoza, Ed.D Photo by Luke George
The popular and beloved Benicia Yacht Club will once again celebrate Opening Day on Saturday, May 14th from 10:00 am until 10:00 pm. The Club promises more than twelve hours of music, water activities, vendor booths, and food and drink as well. Last year’s Opening Day was canceled due to the pandemic, and in response, BYC has outdone itself in organizing this event. This is a great opportunity to explore all the amenities the club has to offer, as the usually private facilities are open to the public all day.
BYC History Founded in 1977 by Russ Blanchard, the first Commodore, Benicia Yacht Club sits in the Carquinez Strait, midway between San Pablo Bay and Suisun Bay. Blanchard wanted to support sailing, yachting, and all types of water sports. He helped to create a platform for sea otters with the help of the Sea Bees, who were part of the Navy construction crew sent to Benicia. At first BYC’s meetings were held in members’ living rooms, in barracks in the Industrial Park, and at the Clock Tower. In the early 1980s, their building, an old army office structure, was purchased from the military and moved to its current location at 400 East 2nd St. In 1985 the clubhouse was formally dedicated. Forty-one years ago, founding members Veronica and Dick Tipton organized the Benicia Yacht Club’s first Opening Day with dingy/ rowboat races in the marina. This is a far cry from the jam packed agenda promised for May 14th. The Benicia Yacht Club, along with many other yacht clubs in the Bay Area, maintain a Cruising Program where BYC hosts visiting yacht clubs and in turn, BYC is hosted by other yacht clubs as well. The Cruising Program allows members to enjoy different clubs’ facilities while practicing the fine art of seamanship. This popular PYC custom affords members the chance to visit other seaside locations and meet like minded and fun loving individuals who enjoy boating as well.
16 • Benicia Magazine
“I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying. And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the seagulls crying.” — Sea-Fever by John Masefield
