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Highlights From Lake Dillon’s “Relaxed” Beer Can Racing

We know this isn’t technically about California sailing, but the photos …! In July we shared pictures of a beautiful summer evening sail on Lake Dillon, CO. California sailor Bob Mimura, from Marina del Rey, was reminded of this story when he traveled across the country last month, and stopped in to get his own view of the lake sailors in action. He visited the Dillon Yacht Club and later sent us the following report, along with a few stunning photos that he’d taken from shore.

“During a trip through Colorado this month I visited the club when they had one of their regular Thursday beer can races. Speaking with a club member, I was told that the racing would be very relaxed and informal. There were only three rules, he said. ‘Don’t hit anybody; don’t protest; and don’t fall in.’

“The racing was relaxed all right … but only until the first preparatory flag.”

Lake Dillon race
Bob captured the race start in three consecutive images.
© 2023 Bob Mimura

“The start was surprisingly intense and a blast to watch as a mix of J/22s, J/24s, Etchells, and a bright-yellow Schock 40 fought for advantage.

“In addition to hosting numerous one-design national regattas, Dillon Yacht Club has a really active local racing calendar featuring both one-design classes (J/22, Etchells, J/24, Melges 24) and PHRF.

“Dillon Lake is a beautiful venue,” Bob writes, “and definitely worth a visit if you can time it with [a] racing event.”

Thanks Bob, for sharing your on-the-road story and beautiful photos!

Sailing

1 Comments

  1. Orlando Duran 1 year ago

    Hey Bob, do you still sail the Catalina?

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