King Harbor Yacht Club’s “Opening Day” for boating season was held Sunday, April 2.
The event is modeled after traditions in the northeast, where boaters must wait for the ice to melt to begin boating.
“With our 365-day SoCal season, local boaters joke that the only ice is in their drinks,” said Mark Hansen, King Harbor Yacht Club staff commodore.
Opening Day members and guests enjoyed appetizers and champagne, followed by a barbecue and dancing to a live band.
A row of hospitality boats, flying decorative signal flags, invited guests aboard for refreshments. The event was chaired by the club’s outgoing Commodore, Francie Hope, who was inducted into the ‘International Order of the Blue Gavel,’ for her service to yachting.
This year marks the 74th boating season for KHYC, which was formed by the 1960 merger of Win’Ard Yacht club (1949), and Redondo Harbor Yacht Club (1956).
The Commodore for 2023 is Dorian Harris, who previously taught sailing for the City and now races her 20-foot sailboat in local regattas.
Opening Day included commodores from various sister yacht clubs, as well as regional boating associations and angler clubs. City councilmember Todd Loewenstein represented Mayor Bill Brand and the City of Redondo Beach, providing updates on planned harbor improvements.
The City’s proclamation congratulated the club for winning the Senior Yacht Club of the Year Award, from among 88 boating clubs in the Southwest.
Three individual club members were acknowledged: Staff Commodore Jerry Martin for serving regional boating with distinction, Julie Coll for supporting women’s sailing, and Kerala Alexander-Zitzke for sportsmanship within a youth program.
Fire Chief Pat Butler, and Deputy Public Works Director Mike Klein were applauded for their efforts to protect and then repair the harbor area during the recent winter storms.
L.A. County Representative, Jessalyn Waldron, represented Supervisor Holly Mitchell,
presenting a proclamation, acknowledging the club’s support of recreational boating.
The offices of Congressman Lieu, State Senator Allen, and Assemblyman Muratsuchi
all sent certificates recognizing the club’s contributions to regional boating activities.
Water safety professionals were represented by the city’s Harbor Patrol, the
county’s Baywatch Lifeguards, and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.ER
