Yacht Club invites community to COVID-19-friendly events

BY Amanda Martilla

While many community events and activities are being cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines, the Canyon Lake Yacht Club has been able to adapt their plans so that club members as well as anyone else who is interested can continue to enjoy time on the lake with other boat enthusiasts.

The Yacht Club has organized eight new events that will take place throughout the rest of the year, as well as two simulcast dinner meetings.

“We had to regroup this year after the onset of the virus,” Dave Dain, Commodore of the Yacht Club, said. “After several months, we realized we could still have plenty of events and activities to engage the community…we just needed to think of how we could help protect the safety and health of all participants.”

Gyan Barringham enjoys a night on the lake as a participant in the Summer Cocktail Cruise Series. The next Cocktail Cruise will be hosted by the Yacht Club tomorrow (Saturday) and all Canyon Lake boats are invited to attend the free event. Photo provided by Ron Wilbur

The Yacht Club will be continuing its Summer Cocktail Cruise Series tomorrow (Saturday). Interested boats should gather at the Lodge Courtesy Dock at 6:15 p.m. for a 6:30 p.m. departure. The event lasts approximately two hours and Yacht Club membership is not required for participation. All Canyon Lake boats with current registration are welcome and there is no charge for this event.

After departure, participating boats will follow the lead Yacht Club boat on a slow cruise around the main lake before tying up in Catfish Cove for fun, conversation, food and libations. Participants can bring their own appetizers and beverages, but unlike previous years, food and beverage will not be shared between boats. There is limited seating for interested walk-ons and the club encourages all participants to bring a mask and follow public health guidelines during the cruise.

The new events that are being introduced this year are The Mid-Summer Blessing of the Boats (Aug. 22), five Concerts on the Water (first on Aug. 29), two simulcast dinner meetings (first on Sept. 1), Fall Lake Clean-Up (Sept. 12) and a holiday tour of waterfront displays.

“The remaining events for 2020 inject some fun for friends, families and new members, while following public health guidelines,” Dave said. “Many of our events are open to public participation, which is introducing a lot of Canyon Lake residents to the Yacht Club.”

The “Mid-summer Blessing of the Boats,” is inspired by the century-old tradition that originated in Mediterranean fishing villages to protect captains, crews and families and to ensure a bountiful catch. It was originally planned for April, but was postponed due to the pandemic.

Pastor Pete Van Dyke of the Canyon Lake Community Church will join boaters in a ceremony that starts at 2:00 p.m. to offer a benediction to each craft and crew for a safe and fun remainder of boating season.

Any boat with current Canyon Lake registration is welcome to assemble at 1:30 p.m. at the cove on the main lake side of the boat tunnel to East Bay. Yacht Club boats will be there to provide instructions and to escort the boats for the blessing ceremony. At the conclusion of a brief ceremony, captains will form their boats into a single line parade following the Yacht Club lead boat. The flotilla will then pass close to the pastor’s boat and continue on a slow parade throughout the main lake.

The Yacht Club invites participants to decorate their vessels with ribbons, flags and flowers, but states that in keeping with the tradition of boat and fleet blessing events, political signs and flags will not be permitted. Canyon Lake residents and guests are encouraged to watch the event from Holiday Harbor, the Lodge or any other spot on the water.

The first of five scheduled Concerts on the Water will take place on Aug. 29 on the main lake and will feature music of the Eagles rock band. After departing from the courtesy docks at 5:30 p.m. for a leisurely cruise around the lake, boats will tie off in Catfish Cove around the “concert boat” for a 60-90 minute concert. Other scheduled Concerts on the Water will feature the music of Jimmy Buffett, the Zac Brown Band, Chicago, Tower of Power and the Best of Motown.

On Sept. 10, the Yacht Club will meet at the Rock Garden on Big Range Road for a socially distanced dinner meeting, which will also be simulcasted on Facebook live so that at-home attendees can participate as well.

The Fall Clean-Up will take place during the afternoon on Sept. 12 and is open to all registered boats who are willing to help keep the lake clean. Boaters should bring the necessary tools to gather debris from the water and shoreline as well as garbage bags so the trash can be stored on their boats. At the end of the day, everyone will bring their “treasure bags” back to the courtesy dock where the Yacht Club will be giving awards for the collected trash.

The Yacht Club has over 125 members and continues to grow as it attracts boat-lovers who enjoy fun and social events.

“We have enjoyed a great increase in new members this year and we are grateful for all of the enthusiasm,” Commodore Dave said. “Now we’re going to bring on the fun! Come out to participate and stay tuned for more updates and details!”