From the Commodore's Cabin: April Events

And just like that it’s April. The fabled San Francisco Bay sailing season has just begun and Berkeley Yacht Club’s Wheeler Regatta is right around the corner. If you haven’t enjoyed the oysters, margaritas, or camaraderie of a Wheeler Regatta, you’ve missed out and you should definitely plan on coming down for this year’s event on April 12-13. It’s arguably the most “Berkeley Yacht Club” event we have all year and usually one of the best attended. In addition to fresh raw oysters on the half shell, baked Oysters Rockefeller, piles of cooked shrimp, and plenty of zesty margaritas, we’ll have a live band as well! Come on down, try your hand at shucking some oysters, then sit back and relax with old friends and new as the racers do their thing. And don’t leave before taking in that magnificent sunset!

And now that chowder racing has gone the way of those early sunsets, we’ll be experimenting with Sunday Soundz once more. Look for these casual afternoons of live music on the first Sunday of the month. If you missed the first one, on April 6, there will be more, usually once a month, and our goal for booking artists is to find folks that are entertaining without being disruptive for those just hoping to enjoy the clubhouse. Please feel free to let us know how this is going.

Looking to the end of April, Staff Commodores Steve Crawford and John Danielson are hosting the traditional Waffle Breakfast to celebrate Opening Day on the Bay on Sunday, April 27. Keep your eyes on your inboxes for details, but it will be in the morning to allow time for anyone hoping to depart Berkeley in time to have their vessel blessed by the God Squad (a priest, a minister, and a rabbi) in front of the Corinthian Yacht Club in Raccoon Strait or to participate in the parade of vessels along the cityfront. More info for those activities can be found at www.picya.org.

And then, on Sunday May 4, mark your calendars for a fascinating and exclusive look inside the tall ship L’Hermione as BYC sponsors a fundraiser and educational presentation on the 32-gun Concorde-class frigate. As a fundraiser, the presentation will be open to the public, but BYC members will get a discount on their admission, and we’ll have a bartender scheduled for those who would like to enjoy the bar after the presentation concludes.

I hope our members find value in engaging with some of the different types of events we’re experimenting with, but as always, feedback is welcome. Let us know how we can make your experience with BYC better!