A Preview of Beer Can Series and April Regattas

By Christine Weaver | April 1, 2026 | California |

Roll Out the Beer Cans

Although some beer can series begin as soon as possible after we spring forward for Daylight Saving Time (lookin’ at you, Berkeley Yacht Club), most Bay Area series begin in April.

The J/99 Shark on Bluegrass 2 — The J/99 *Shark on Bluegrass 2* sailed in BYC’s first Friday night race of the season. (This is not the Olson 25 *SOB*.) We like her spiffy paint job.
© 2026 Laura Garfein

Corinthian YC writes: “Springtime not only means the weather is getting warmer and extra daylight in the evenings, but it also means Friday Night Races are back! What could be a better way to unwind from the stresses of the week than beer can racing on the Bay? The racing series starts on April 3 and runs through September 4. After the racing, join us back at CYC for dinner and drink specials, and more. We’ll also have daily trophies and first-half and second-half series winners. PHRF, non-spinnaker and one-design fleets will be set based on registrations. Registration is open.”

Marie Cunningham, Island YC’s rear commodore, notes that their Island Night races on Fridays will again participate in the Boss of the Estuary competition. IYC, Oakland YC and Encinal YC all run beer cans series on the Estuary.

Richmond YC’s usual beer can races will begin tonight and run every Wednesday through the end of September. In addition, starting on April 3, the club will host Fun Friday dinghy races every other week. “Club boats will be available, including El Toros, Lasers, Teras and more,” says RYC. “A small usage fee applies, which goes directly toward boat maintenance.”

More in Northern California

SFYC will run their PHRF all-female Anne McCormack Women’s Invitational Cup again, this year on April 4. They’re planning on two races in the Knox area.

“Oysters will be served,” at Berkeley YC’s “signature regatta” on April 11-12. Some details:

Saturday’s racing is also #2 in the YRA’s new San Francisco Bay Series. BYC is planning two races on two courses for two perpetual trophies.
Entrants are welcome to raft up at the BYC guest dock Friday and/or Saturday.
On Sunday there will be a pursuit race.
Learn more and register here.

On the same weekend, St. Francis YC will welcome Alerion 28, Express 37, Folkboat, J/24, J/88, J/105, Knarr, Star and ORC/PHRF classes for Spring Fest.

“The Rogue Rigging ACSC Spring Dinghy Regatta is happening April 11-12,” says Ryan Nelson. (ACSC stands for Alameda Community Sailing Center.) Lasers, 5O5s and Vanguard 15s are invited. Learn more and sign up here.

Corinthian YC will host a regatta in conjunction with Sailing4Parkinson’s on Sunday, April 12. Check out our preview of the weekend’s events in March 25’s ‘Lectronic Latitude. Then register to race here.

Moore 24 Roadmasters visit their city of origin (Santa Cruz) for a regatta on April 18-19. See https://scyc.org/regatta/hQFhAm0wzz.

Folsom Lake YC will hold their big spring regatta, the Camellia Cup, on April 25-26.

The Ocean Racing Season Opens This Month

The 47th Doublehanded Farallones Race is coming up on Saturday, April 11. The race will start early in the morning off Baker Beach, round Southeast Farallon Island in either direction, and finish off Golden Gate YC for a distance of 54 miles. “AIS transponders are required for the race, but we have alternate solutions to several equipment requirements specifically aimed at allowing smaller boats to race, such as the Moore 24 and Express 27 fleets (see the NOR for details),” says Bay Area Multihull Association commodore Truls Myklebust. “That addresses things like boats without compliant lifelines, or trailerable boats. The Moore 24 is the most-winning boat design in the history of the race, and there is often a separate Moore 24 fleet for scoring.

“Conditions vary for this race; no two years are alike, but it’s always a great adventure, and we usually have plenty of breeze for the fleet to make its way around the course. Racers have until midnight to finish, and there is a wooden spoon perseverance award for the final finisher each year. Registration and all race docs can be found here: https://www.jibeset.net/BAMA000.php?RG=T006164790. For full information on the race and its history, including race records, see https://sfbama.org/double-handed-farallones. If anybody has any questions about the race, they can reach the race committee at [email protected].”

Two weeks later, on April 25, the Yacht Racing Association will open their Offshore Series with the Lightship Race.

In Southern California

The ILCA Pacific Coast Championships sail out of Coronado YC, with a clinic on April 16 and races on the 17th-19th.

The America’s Schooner Cup will sail out of San Diego Bay on April 17. Check out our preview of that photo-worthy event in a March 6 ‘Lectronic Latitude post.

Schooner Spike Africa sailing — An image of of the schooner *Spike Africa,* shot on film back in the day. She has returned to San Diego permanently and will sail in the America’s Schooner Cup. Future plans of her new owner, Wade Hall, include youth sail training and charter work.
© 2026 Bob Greiser

NOSA’s Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race has a green light to start on April 24. See www.nosa.org.

The Etchells Orca Bowl, the final event in the Etchells West Coast Spring Series, will also serve as a Pre-Worlds regatta in San Diego on April 25-26. (SDYC will host the Worlds in May.)

Don’t Be Fooled — There’s More…

As usual, we don’t have room on the space-time continuum to preview all the worthy regattas and series in our region. You’ll find gobs more maritime events in our Calendar, starting on page 12 in the April issue of Latitude 38 and on our Calendar web page, including Northern California beer cans. As ever, you are welcome — nay, encouraged — to call out your favorites in the Comments section below. Also check out the annual Sailing Calendar for long-range planning and colorful ads from event organizers.