What is PICYA?
The Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association (PICYA) was formed by five charter clubs in San Francisco on May 12, 1896, to improve communication between yacht clubs, provide uniform racing rules and encourage yachting. Today there are 105 member clubs in Northern California with a combined membership of approximately 15,600 boating families.
In 1928, the US Yacht Racing Association and Yacht Racing Association of San Francisco were created to assume guidance of most major sail races.
Ongoing PICYA gatherings include Monthly General Delegates Meetings, Spring Leadership Conference, Fall Management Seminar and safety conferences. PICYA publishes The Yachting Yearbook, which serves as a directory of member clubs, boat owner listings and association activities, as well as a repository of San Francisco Bay sailing history, guidelines, awards, burgees, trophies and more.
Major PICYA events are Opening Day on the Bay in April, which is the largest annual PICYA event and has been coordinated since 1917, and the Margo Brown Wheelchair Regatta in September. PICYA Clubs compete annually for 26 prestigious perpetual trophies, including keel boat, youth, predicted log, over-the-bottom, leadership, newsletter and participation competitions. Youth scholarships are also available through PICYA.
PICYA $2500 Scholarship Program
PICYA offers scholarships of $2500 to graduating high school students or college students wishing to continue their education in approved institutions of higher learning. To be considered, applicants must be students whose parents, grandparents, guardians or mentors are members of a yacht club belonging to PICYA. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors of the current year, or college students continuing to pursue educational goals.
To apply for a scholarship: Scholarship Guidelines
For a printable application: Application Form
Scholarships will be presented at the PICYA Delegates Dinner in August.
THE APPLICATION MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE CHAIRMAN NO LATER THAN JUNE 14, 2025
PICYA Annual Management Conference
March 29, 2025 | Encinal Yacht Club
Open to All Club Members. Registration at 9:30am, conference begins at 10:00am, continental breakfast served at 10:00am and lunch served at noon. Conference agenda will cover a host of current yacht club topics and speakers to be announced shortly.
SailGP
March 22-23 | PICYA Discounts available
PICYA has procured a discount for grandstand tickets using promo code S5SG010.
Select your day, ticket type, and then add the promo code to your shopping cart. Act now for best options!
Hosting more boat-on-boat racing action, capsizes and close calls than any other SailGP location, San Francisco boasts epic racing conditions, with gusty winds and a strong current challenging even the most experienced SailGP teams.
107th PICYA Opening Day on the Bay
April 27, 2025 | Theme: Generations on the Bay
CLICK HERE for parade categories, Committee Boat reservations for the Committee Boat (the BEST way to see the parade) and more.
April Delegates Luncheon Meeting
Village West Yacht Club Stockton
Menu and Price TBA – all club members are welcome
11:30am-12:30pm Social Hour
12:30pm Luncheon
1:30pm Meeting Commences
3:00pm Meeting Adjourned
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