Dear Fellow Newport Harbor Yacht Club Members,

With great pleasure, we invite you to participate in Newport Harbor Yacht Club’s 108th Opening Day Weekend. Please join us in celebrating the rich yachting history of our Club.

The weekend starts at 1800 hours (6:00 PM) May 3rd with the Commodore’s Cocktail Party. This is a Members Only event, the dress is coat and tie, cocktail attire for the ladies. Hosted Cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres will be served until 1900 hours, followed by the traditional Commodore’s Dinner Dance featuring Tony Guerrero Quintet. Please register to let us know if you plan to attend the Commodore’s Dinner, which will ensure our staff are prepared for this wonderful event. You can RSVP online via the club website or call the Front Desk. Registrations are not required for the Cocktail Party.

Saturday, May 4th begins with the traditional Opening Day Race from Long Beach to the Newport Pier. The competitors always feature many of the Club’s deep fleet of heritage racers. It is always magical to make that last starboard tack clearing Angels Gate and set a kite for the spinnaker run down the coast. Post-race activities will commence immediately following the yachts arrivals at our docks. As we have done since the days of Commodore Dr. Albert Soiland in 1917, we will recognize the competitors and toast the winners at the compass rose on the flag deck. From there, we can proceed directly to “Bushwood Yacht Club”. The Skipper Board Party as they have put together what promises to be a scream featuring plenty of food, drink and dancing. Live performance by Nightshift and dress into the theme of Caddy Shack Chic. 

Sunday, May 5th will be the formal opening ceremony for the 2024 yachting season. Historically, we have approximately 70 to 80 member boats docked at NHYC on Opening Day. Members wishing to have their boats at the Club for Opening Day are required to complete the ONLINE registration in advance on the Club’s website, which will commence April 1st, at 0900. With the goal of accommodating as many boats as possible, the docking committee uses this information to carefully piece the docking jigsaw puzzle together. It is not uncommon to have more applications than space, so please get your application in very early. 

Admission to the Club on Opening Day will once again be limited. To ensure an enjoyable and safe celebration, this year’s admission will be granted to the following: Members and their Dependents with membership cards showing proof of membership. Up to 4 additional wristbands for additional immediate family members may be purchased for $40.00 each by registering online no later than May 3rd. This is limited to a member’s parents, son and daughter in-laws, grandparents and grandchildren, siblings of members along with their spouses or significant others. OD boats participating will have additional passes given. The extra passes must be picked up at the Front Desk no later than 1700 (5:00 PM) on Saturday, May 4th. There will be NO will-call arrangements at the entrance.

The shoreboats will be in operation again this year, please refer to the enclosed schedule and map. Parking will be limited at the Club. Carpooling, Uber or bicycles are strongly recommended. Further details for the weekend will be posted on the Club’s website. Thank you in advance for making reservations for all the events you plan on attending.

We look forward to seeing you throughout the Opening Day Weekend!