Beach boating
Yacht clubs celebrate opening day
Yacht club opening days began on the East Coast to celebrate the day the waterways began to melt. A canon was traditionally fired to help break up the ice. Despite year ‘round sailing weather on the west coast, the opening day tradition at King Harbor’s three yacht clubs is as strong as at any East Coast club.
This year’s Sunday, April 10 opening day was a typically breezy blue sky day, despite a forecast for rain. The Redondo Yacht Club began the ceremonies with three trumpeters from Redondo High Jazz band, under the direction of director Ray Vizcarra, performing “The National Anthem.”
King Harbor’s Yacht Club ceremony followed with performances of “God Bless the USA” by Dave Barrette and “Amazing Grace” by Michael Forbes. The ceremony was attended by U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Halibut Commander James Hurtt. Following the ceremony, Commander Hurtt and his crew led tours of their 87-foot cutter, which was docked at the club. In the afternoon Port Royal Yacht Club began its opening day ceremony with the “Pledge of Allegiance” led by Boy Scout Troop 966, followed by “The National Anthem” sung by director Russell Densmore.
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