Redondo’s King Harbor Yacht Club marks 77th Opening Day
by Garth Meyer
King Harbor Yacht Club celebrated Opening Day 2022 last Sunday with a reception, hors d’oeuvres and champagne, hospitality in open boats, a live band and barbecue.
Local members attended as well as those from sister yacht clubs such as Marina del Rey, Cabrillo, Port Royal, Portofino, Santa Monica Bay and Long Beach.
As part of the day’s ceremony, outgoing King Harbor Yacht Club (KYHC) Commodore Tom Polizzi was inducted into the “International Order of the Blue Gavel,” for his service to yachting.
Soon after, the club’s cannon fired.
“That’s the start of the party,” said KHYC member Rafael Fernandez.
The boom was accompanied by sirens, lights and water cannons from Harbor Patrol and Baywatch boats.
Two dozen hospitality boats in the marina invited guests aboard.
The full schedule of Opening Day followed a reduced version last year and cancellation in 2020 due to the pandemic.
The Opening Day tradition comes from cold climates, where boaters wait for melted ice and warmer temperatures to get back on the water.
“With our 365-day SoCal season, local boaters joke that the only ice is in their drink,” said KHYC Staff Commodore Mark Hansen.
Additional guests at Opening Day included Mayor Bill Brand, District Two City Councilman Todd Loewenstein, and a representative from the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Halibut, based in Marina Del Rey.
Proclamations in honor of the day were brought by field representatives of the offices of Redondo’s congressional representative, state senator, assemblyman and county supervisor.
The event marks King Harbor Yacht Club’s 73rd boating season.
The new commodore is Francie Hope.
The U.S. Naval Sea Cadets provided the Color Guard for Opening Day while the Sea Scouts handled parking and the King Harbor Youth Foundation acted as ushers. ER