Celebrate 109 Years of Opening Day on the Bay This Sunday

Opening Day on the Bay is just around the corner. To be more precise, it’s only a few days away, taking place on Sunday, April 26. We know many of you are already out on the Bay, sailing as if it’s summer, but Opening Day — the official kickoff for San Francisco Bay’s sailing season — is a great tradition to take part in, regardless of how often you’ve had your boat off the dock this year. This year marks the 109th Opening Day, along with host Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association’s 130th anniversary.

Celebrating to the theme “Myths and Legends,” the day kicks off at 10:30 a.m. with the Blessing of the Fleet in Raccoon Strait, hosted by the Corinthian Yacht Club. Decorated sailboats, powerboats and youth vessels will embrace the folklore, mythology and storytelling of maritime history while passing by the the “God Squad” — a minister, a priest, and a rabbi — who will bless your boat for the coming season. This tradition follows in the the footsteps of fishing fleets being blessed at the start of their season.

At midday, the boats all launch off the shores of Crissy Field just north of Anita Rock, to sail along the San Francisco Cityfront from the Golden Gate Bridge to Pier 39 in the Decorated Boat Parade. Underway the boats will audition for trophies and prizes in the categories of Classic and Historic Yachts; Sailboats Decorated to Theme; Powerboats Decorated to Theme; Power or Sail Decorated by Juniors; Flags & Streamers by Yacht Club; Decorated Not to Theme; and Non-Decorated Boats. Winners will be decided by the PICYA officers and appointed community judges, led by PICYA vice commodore Michael Proctor, aboard the official committee boat Cabernet Sauvignon.

With Sunday forecast to be a pleasant and possibly breezy day, you’d be crazy to stay at home and miss out on the fun. Plus, you can join the official afterparty at South Beach Yacht Club, where a celebratory oyster bar opens at 5 p.m.

Register your boat and crew here. Or for more information go to picya.org.

If you want to join the fleet but don’t have enough crew, or maybe don’t even have a boat, check out the Latitude 38 Crew Lists; you might find the person or boat you need, just around the corner!