For over 85 years, the Balboa Yacht Club has served to encourage yacht racing and cruising, promote the science of seamanship and navigation, and provide a beautiful clubhouse and marina for the educational, recreational and social use of its members, families and guests.
But some of the Clubs most popular sailing programs and events are centered on its children. Families can be found on the sands mingling, playing, picnicking together or just showing their support for each other and fellow teammates.
Kristina A. of Costa Mesa gave the Balboa Yacht Club 4 stars on yelp and wrote:
I have grown up at the Balboa Yacht Club. Through my many years at the club, I have seen it grow as well. From the exquisite dining views to the beautiful facilities, the Balboa Yacht Club cannot be beat. Some other yacht clubs offer fancier decor or more massive yachts, but BYC makes everyone feel comfortable no matter what their price range. The staff really gets to know the members and customers. It’s such a nice touch to be greeted by name every time I visit. I love taking my friends to BYC and showing it off. The regulars are predictable and new faces are always more than welcome. BYC caters to every age group from a fine dining room and classy bar to the kids junior room. Kids will have fun running around the boat racks and playing downstairs as I did as a kid. The dining room and bar both have bay views where you can watch the sunset without any obstruction. BYC is classy, laid back, and one of my favorite places in Orange County.
The Balboa Yacht Club provides many opportunities for youth to become involved in sailing. They offer summer sailing programs open to both members and the public, a strong high school sailing program, a year round Naples Sabot racing program, and a CFJ and C420 racing circuit.
The Clubs Junior Sailing Program provides a wonderful opportunity for children to learn about sailing and to improve sailing skills. The Junior Sailing Program is a year-round operation open to children ages 6-18. The emphasis of their program is fun and safety, based on proven curriculum from US Sailing. They accommodate all levels of experience, from learning to sail to advanced racing.
For more information about the Balboa Yacht Club Junior Sailing Program or to register for Fall 2011 classes, contact Katie Tinder at 949-673-3515×131 or juniors@balboayachtclub.com.
They also offer a fantastic venue for high school sailing. Their High School Sailing program invites students of all ability levels (inexperienced to advanced) from eighth grade to twelfth grade to participate.
BYC hosts practices each week during the school year for Mater Dei High School and San Clemente High School. Teams travel to regattas up and down the West Coast throughout the year as members of the Pacific Coast Interscholastic Sailing Association, the governing body of the West Coast and Hawaii for high school sailing.
For more information on how to start a sailing program or to speak to someone about joining one of Balboa Yacht Clubs existing teams, contact Balboa Yacht Club Junior Program Director and Mater Dei/San Clemente head coach Katie Tinder at 949-673-3515×131 or email at juniors@balboayachtclub.com.
