THE HEART OF BOATING IN THE NORTH OKANAGAN
Boating at The Vernon Yacht Club
Founded in 1953, the Vernon Yacht Club has been a long-standing mainstay for the boating community and its members in the North Okanagan as it provides secure moorage, a social atmosphere, series of events, and the opportunity to share experiences of the boating lifestyle. Not-for-profit and membership-based, the Vernon Yacht Club is operated by a team of incredible staff, a volunteer board and many member volunteers who maintain the clubhouse, grounds, docks, as well as the breakwater to offer an enjoyable place for members, their guests and visitors.
Popular Vernon Yacht Club Events
When members are not enjoying Okanagan Lake, they are active with the series of club events. Pam St. Pierre, the yacht club’s Staff Captain, works with Ken Hodgson to organize a variety of live music to each dance event. Yacht club dances are commonly held once a month, in addition to 15-plus annual events throughout the year. In fact, in 2017, St. Pierre put together a successful, sold-out, Canada Day celebration.
Additionally, volunteer member, Debbra Butler, organizes a popular monthly Ladies Night throughout most of the season, while Publicity Director, Pamela Miller, added two community events that included the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce’s Business After 4 Trade Fair on April 17 and a Water Stewardship Open House with the City of Vernon June 9.
The club’s largest event of the year, the Boat & Watersports Show, held May 5 and 6, is chaired by Fred Haight and run by a six-member committee. Up to 90 volunteers make this event a success and we would like to thank our sponsors; KAL Tire, Okanagan Spring Brewery, Vantage One CU, KingFisher Boats, The RCMP, The Sandman Inn and partners; 105.7 SunFm, 1075 Beach Radio, OASISS, Salvation Army and UnPlug & Play. Show attendees can also view the boat show vendors’ list at vernonyachtclub.com/boating/vernon-yacht-club-boat-show or visit UnPlug & Play’s website at www.unplugandplayvernon.com or their Morning Star Directory to view the list of the Vernon Yacht Club’s family events.
VYC Sailing News
Keith Danielson is the 2018 VYC Sailing Fleet Chair and the club’s weekly sailing races kicked-off April 18, while The VYC Women’s Weekly Race Series has been changed this year to Tuesday nights – from April 24 to July 3. This year’s Okanagan Women’s Regatta takes place at the Kelowna Yacht Club July 6 to 8.
Pam St. Pierre is also chairing the annual Vernon Sailing Regatta July 1 to 3 and the Vernon leg of the End to End Regatta will be held September 14 to 16. The “End to End Regatta” begins in Vernon with overnight stops at the Kelowna Yacht Club and ends with a dinner/awards ceremony at the Summerland Yacht Club.
To learn to sail or gain insight in the sport, simply inquire about volunteering as a crew member in the VYC Sailing Fleet at the weekly Wednesday night’s races or the women’s Tuesday night races. You can also take lessons at the Kelowna Yacht Club, learn to sail on dinghies at the North Okanagan Sailing Association, or take courses through BC Sailing.
For membership inquiries or more information about the Vernon Yacht Club visit www.vernonyachtclub.com For more details about the 2018 events visit www.vernonyachtclub.com/events.