our first reaction, even if you live in Arizona, might be, “Wait, what? Arizona Yacht Club? Where do you sail?” Let’s start there.

We sail at two venues. Dinghies race at Tempe Town Lake, an urban oasis central to Phoenix and a relatively short drive from Tucson. Bigger boats race at Lake Pleasant, a five-mile long gem bordered by the Bradshaw Mountains and saguaro-studded hills northwest of Phoenix.  No boat? No problem. Crewing is a great way to get time and experience on the water.

When we’re not sailing, there are monthly meetings: a great opportunity to meet other members, make new friends, and connect with other skippers and crew. The meetings also feature speakers from the highest levels of sailing. Past speakers have included Dave Perry, Peter Isler, Annie Gardner, Sharon Green, Stephanie Roble, Tom Ehman, Bill Hardesty and Tom Leweck.

AYC is a 100% volunteer club, which means it’s all about members. There are 220 member families who live across the state. The members who get the best return on the modest membership fee are the ones who participate. They race, attend, volunteer.

It is an honor and a privilege to be Commodore of Arizona Yacht Club. I hope you will help me make this an outstanding year.