Tucked away in beautiful Point Loma, the San Diego Yacht Club is consistently ranked among the top 5 yacht clubs in the Nation and is recognized by the Club Leadership Forum as one of the finest facilities of its kind in the world.
The history of the San Diego Yacht Club in many ways parallels the remarkable growth and global prestige of the City of San Diego. International racing events have focused the world’s attention on the accomplishments of local sailors since the late 1930s when San Diego won its first Star championship. In recent years, San Diego yachtsmen have attracted national media coverage in a variety of events.
Throughout its existence, the San Diego Yacht Club has evolved from a small gathering of boating enthusiasts joining together in 1886 to a world-renowned yachting community recognized for its success in bay sailing, ocean racing, predicted log racing, cruising, angling, and its support of youth programs at all levels. Competitions have ranged from Major National and World Championships to the Lipton Cup, from Junior Regattas to the Olympics, and from Classic yachts to the America’s Cup. Training and racing programs are available for adults as well as juniors.
The story of the San Diego Yacht Club is also the history of boat design and sail making by such great names as Kettenburg, Driscoll, DeFever, Eichenlaub, Peterson, Nelson/Marek, Reichel/Pugh, Sharp and North Sails known world wide. San Diego-designed boats sail regularly and successfully in local, national and international competitions.
Whether it be across the bay or across the United States, San Diego Yacht Club sailors participate in sailing and racing events throughout the year and have excelled in local, regional, national and international competition. SDYC has made a commitment to the Junior Program and has successfully recruited the highest level of instruction available anywhere. Instructors and coaches are certified by the United States Sailing Association (US Sailing) complete with CPR and First Aid Certificates.
Our Mission
The Mission of the SDYC Junior Program is to develop knowledgeable youth sailors and to instill in them a love for the sport of sailing that will serve as a foundation for the future of the Club.
Commitment
This means setting goals and taking responsibility. For example, you have to show up on time at the starting line. They are not going to wait for you.
Dedication
It takes perseverance – you must work every day to excel, be it family, business, or sailing.
Hard Work
The winners in yacht racing today have been at it for some time. When I was growing up I did all the sanding, painting, and rigging with my own hands.
Teamwork
It’s important to spread the load. I have never accomplished anything favorable or positive in my life by myself. I have always been part of a team. Sometimes I have been the head of a team, other times the middle, and even the caboose.
Follow Through
You have to put things in motion and keep going until you are successful.
Playing By The Rules
One of the most important things in life is playing by the rules, and not cutting corners. We have so many ethical problems in the world today, in our own society, in our business. Ethics is very important. This should be taught up front so it stays with us our entire lives.
Planning Ahead
You must have both short and long term goals. Once I got out of junior sailing I had to think ahead, what I wanted to do next. I think it is just as important to think out the next 20 minutes, as it is to plan out the next 10 to 15 years. I picked that up in sailing.