April Racing Preview

Because Easter falls on April 1 this year, the coming weekend is light on regattas, but women skippers can still sign up for Island Yacht Club’s Sadie Hawkins Race (full crews, coed OK, this Saturday, on the Estuary, $20 entry fee). The Sadie Hawkins is part of Latitude 38’s Unofficial Women’s Circuit. Folsom Lake YC’s Trans-Folsom Champagne Challenge, a 21-mile pursuit race, will be the same day.

On April 7, the Bullship Regatta from Sausalito to San Francisco will carry adult El Toro sailors across the Gate in what is an annual ritual for many, part of a season series for some, and a bucket-list adventure for still others. Richmond YC is providing the race committee and Sausalito YC is hosting the launch. Awards will be presented on the lawn east of St. Francis YC. Cowships are needed to escort the 8-ft prams.

The little El Toros may once again find themselves crossing paths with the start of the Lightship race. Last year it was the OYRA Lightship; this year it’s IYC’s Doublehanded Lightship Race, headed out the Gate on April 7. Sign up now; after April 2 the entry fee goes up from $50 to $60.

Also on April 7 but 500 miles to the SSE, Silver Gate YC will host the America’s Schooner Cup Charity Regatta in San Diego. "If you are a Schoonerman come join the fun."

StFYC invites J/120, J/111, J/105, J/70, J/24 and J/22 classes to J/Fest on April 7-8.

The South Bay Interclub Series will begin on April 14. This popular series is run by 11 organizations, but you needn’t be a member of one of them to enter. The entry fee will go up $5 as of April 1. Also on that day, singlehanders and doublehanders will sail Round the Rocks in the third race of the SSS season. A skippers’ meeting will be held at IYC on April 11, which will also be the deadline to register. 

Berkeley YC will hold their Rollo Wheeler Memorial Regatta on April 14-15, with buoy races on Saturday and a pursuit race on Sunday. Saturday night’s party will include margaritas, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, low-cost dinner, music, dancing, "lie swapping and other basic rowdiness."

Also on April 14-15 will be SFYC’s Resin Regatta. Melges 24, Etchells, Express 27, J/24, Cal 20, Knarr and Folkboat classes are invited to race on the Berkeley Circle.

FLYC’s Camellia Cup is coming to Folsom Lake the same weekend. "We are expecting 60 to 70 boats to participate this year," says Steve Galeria.

In the South Bay, Sequoia YC’s five-race Summer Series will start on April 14.

The OYRA’s first race of 2018 will be the Lightship on April 21.

RYC will continue their devotion to small boat sailing with the Big Dinghy Regatta on April 21-22.

On April 27-29 StFYC will host their second Women’s Match Racing Clinegatta with coaching by Liz Baylis and Nicole Breault. On-the-water practice and racing will be held in the club’s fleet of J/22s.

The Great Vallejo Race is usually held on the first weekend in May, but this year it will be on the last weekend of April, the 28th-29th. Race up to Vallejo YC on Saturday, race back to San Francisco Bay on Sunday. Raft up in VYC’s freshly dredged harbor, and party in between! StFYC’s  Elvstrom/Zellerbach Regatta for dinghy classes will be on the same weekend.

Long Beach YC will be busy this month with match racing events: the conclusion of the California Dreamin’ Series on April 7-8, the Ficker Cup on April 13-15 and the premier event in West Coast match racing, the Congressional Cup on April 18-22.

That’s a lot and it’s just a small sample! Plus, we haven’t even mentioned Beer Can Series, most of which start in April. We’ll have to save that topic for another post. See the April issue of Latitude 38, coming out this Friday, for much more.