Opening Day on the Bay promises an entire weekend of unforgettable maritime excitement that you and your family can experience from ship or shore.
The 112th Great Vallejo Race takes place on Saturday, April 30 & Sunday, May 1. Here competitors exit the Mare Island Straight in Vallejo where it meets the Carquinez Straight as they head into San Pablo Bay on their way back to San Francisco. Photo by Joel Williams
By Lacey Todd
Published: April 1, 2011
On Saturday, April 30, you can begin your weekend at the Treasure Island Sailing Center (TISC) to enjoy free boat rides, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. On-shore activities will include games, crafts, music, and concessions for the entire family. TISC is a large-scale, year-round sailing school that does not have membership requirements and emphasizes full community involvement through offering unlimited scholarships. TISC provides a positive, skill-building experience to help children develop important life skills of responsibility, respect, communication, leadership and teamwork.
Another Saturday event is the 112th Great Vallejo Race, sponsored by the Vallejo Yacht Club. Everyone is welcome, including racers and non-racers. The race begins Saturday morning; the after-party includes entrainment, dancing, drinks and food from 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. The race concludes on Sunday, May 1.
Sunday also brings the Blessing of the Fleet and the Decorated Boat Parade, two famous Opening Day events that are also discussed this month in Captain Ray’s column on page 8. Hosted by the Corinthian Yacht Club from 10:30 a.m. to noon in Raccoon Strait, the Blessing of the Fleet is an ancient religious tradition that carries on with modern Bay Area twists.
Immediately afterward, the 95th Annual Decorated Boat Parade will kick off. Hosted by the Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association (PICYA), which represents over 100 yacht clubs in Northern California, the parade is the official beginning of the 2011 boating season on San Francisco Bay. This year’s theme is “Giants of the Bay,” celebrating the many people and things that have made San Francisco so unique. Emperor Norton IV is the grand marshal.
The parade will feature over 120 historic workboats, fireboats, towboats, and other classic and contemporary craft decorated to the theme. There will be both power and sailboats competing for best decoration honors. These boats can be viewed by the public along the San Francisco waterfront from Crissy Field, which is west of the Marina Green to Pier 39, from noon until 3 p.m. The occasion will be a unique opportunity to see these special boats, sailing close to shore where land-based spectators can enjoy the event.
As a bit of background, PICYA also publishes the Yachting Yearbook, an important annual directory of member clubs and information, and created Recreational Boaters of California, a governmental advocacy organization committed to promoting the enjoyment, protections, and responsible use of our waterways. PICYA has coordinated Opening Day since 1917.
If you don’t have a boat, there are plenty of other ways to get involved. You can decorate a yacht club-sponsored boat, visit restaurants with great views of the parade route in Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39, or hop aboard charter boats such as the Potomac, Mazapeta, Alma, Adventure Cat, and various sailboats and Bay Tour boats.
On a more long-term level, you can get involved by learning to sail at one of the many sailing schools around the Bay, including Club Nautique, J-World, Modern Sailing Academy, OCSC, Spinnaker Sailing and Tradewinds. Or, you can visit some of the local nonprofit sailing centers for affordable sailing such as Cal Sailing Club, Call of the Sea and the TISC. Disabled sailing is offered through the Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors at South Beach Yacht Club and TISC.
Lacey Todd has been the Operations Manager for Treasure Island Sailing Center for over 3 years. She specializes in fundraising, marketing, and operations. She loves working with the kids and seeing them grow into strong sailors and individuals.
The Treasure Island Sailing Center is a large-scale, year-round sailing school that does not have membership requirements. They emphasize providing positive sailing experiences for children helping them develop important life skills. Photo courtesy of Treasure Island Sailing Center
