Written by Joanne Aspinall and Marshall Williamson
It’s that time of year – thinking back on the past year and making resolutions for the new one ahead. Do any of your resolutions involve sailing? We hope so! Some of our upcoming events, including our upcoming Open House, will help you get the year started on the right foot! Or, perhaps, on the right tack!
Racing
If racing is in your blood, registration is open for our Spring Series and our annual Birthday Regatta for Charity. Our Spring Series opens at Lake Pleasant on the weekend of January 17-18 and at Tempe Town Lake on January 25th. Registration is on our Racing page.
The AYC Birthday Regatta for Charity, February 13-15th, is our largest event of the year and has something for racers and non-racers alike! Two days of racing, with an optional third day on Friday for the Race for Charity. Bring your sweetie along for a special dinner at our Saturday night regatta party, and maybe you’ll win something at the charity raffle benefitting Blood Cancer United, Soldier’s Best Friend, and Cancer Support Community of Arizona! New to the club and looking for a way to get involved? Volunteering at the regatta is a great way to meet people and help out! Check out the Birthday Regatta page for registration and more info.
AYC Open House
**The Open House has been Postponed. Future date TBD** Come join us at the Spring Canyon Work Party instead!
Is your 2026 New Year’s resolution to learn something new, or have you wanted to get into sailing but are not sure where to begin? Our new Open House event on January 10th can be the perfect place to start! This event is for beginners and experienced sailors to learn more about the Arizona Yacht Club and ways to get involved:
- Seeking to crew, meet prospective skippers for Lake Pleasant and Tempe Town Lake.
- Schedule an introductory sail out on the water to get sampling of the fun, and learn to sail programs.
- Learn about getting involved in racing experience programs on the water.
- Current Skippers can learn more about buoy racing tactics in a classroom setting. Class taught by Neil Theut.
- Learn about safety on the water.
- New to sailing and racing? Learn about Race Committee opportunities, with no experience necessary.
- Volunteering for our mid February charity regatta
- Learn about boat rentals available for the upcoming season at both lakes.
- Learn about the cruising life.
Interested? Sign up on our Interest Form and join us at the Pleasant Harbor RV Resort on January 10th. We’ll email you with details!
Boats for Sale
Disappointed that you didn’t get a boat under the tree this year? Well, take things into your hands and check out the offerings on our For Sale page! There’s a Hobie 18, Laser, Beneteau First 18SE, Martin 242, and a Thistle up for grabs!
Cruising
Think cruising is more your style? Check out our “So You Want to go Cruising” page and keep an eye out for cruising events this summer and throughout the year.
Whatever your plans are this year, fair winds and following seas for 2026!
