Shoreline Yacht Club of Long Beach, California
Celebrates 20 Year Anniversary With New Club House
Review by Sean Downey

The new clubhouse at 386 Shoreline Drive.

Long Beach, CA (June 28, 2003) - While the second day of racing at North Sails Race Week kicked off, another just as important event was taking place in the dowtown marina. Today marked a special occassion for the members of Shoreline Yacht Club of Long Beach; their 20th opening day ceremony.

Under the usual marine-layer, members and guests including dozens of representatives from yacht clubs from all along the Southern California coast gathered at the newly completed club house located at 386 Shoreline Drive South in the heart of the downtown Long Beach marina. The two-storied club boasts a layout of 7,000 square feet and a 3,000sqft deck with the best view in the marina.

As Commodore Steve Anderson took the podium he summed up the feelings of all in attendance. "Take a good look around. Shoreline Yacht Club has finally arrived."

The club was founded in 1983 by a group of shoreline sailors and powerboaters eager to share with each other the joys of life on the water.

In 1996, the Shoreline Management LLC was formed to raise funds for a new clubhouse. This group has worked tirelessly since then to make the dream of an independent, free-standing clubhouse a reality. Plans began to take shape two years ago with the initial plan to set up residence in the same spot where the marina operations office currently stands.

The official ribbon cutting ceremony.

After lengthy negotiations and engineering tests, it was determined that the location was unsuitable for a new clubhouse. Plans were immediately drawn to relocate the facility to the end of "Y" dock. Many organizations pooled their talent, including the Coastal Commission to facilitate the construction in a timely matter, which was completed in less than one year.

Paul Tardie, the individual in charge of overseeing the construction of the new facility was asked how it felt to have the project 'completed'. "I'm extremely pleased with the finished product, but I am also so happy to be done with it!"

Shoreline Yacht Club, a volunteer club, is actively involved with promoting 'boats on the water' which is their slogan. They host a multitude of regattas including the Queen Mary Regatta, a 23nm race from Redondo Beach finishing off the stern of the Queen Mary in Long Beach, the Long Beach to Dana Point race, and the Platform to Queen Mary Single-Handed Regatta a 24nm race. They also are a founding member of the Annual Yacht Clubs of Long Beach Charity Regatta, benefitting The Children's Clinic of Long Beach.

Members of the Long Beach Police Department color guard present the colors .

Prior to this day, the club was stealthily located on top of a restaraunt in the Shoreline Village, where they still found a way to host some of the greatest events of any club in the area. To date, their membership has grown to 250 regular memberships comprised of about equal parts sail and powerboats. The size diversity ranges from smaller trailerable boats to yachts exceeding 60 feet. Most of the members have boats falling in the 30 to 50 foot size.

Their Angling Program is extremely active providing education and charters. Their Cruiser Navigation Program has held the Southern California Cruiser Association’s first place ranking for two consecutive years. The Shoreline Young Sailors Program, a new edition has grown exponentially since its inception.

Shoreline Yacht Club has been the recipient of the Southern California Yachting Association’s “Associate Member Club of the Year” in 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2002. They also participate in the "Panters at sea" program putting long beach teens on the water for the first time.

For more information about Shoreline Yacht Club you can visit them online at www.shorelineyachtclub.com

A look at the interior of the bar area.	A look at the interior of the bar area.	Frank Ross prepares to indicate officers on deck with a shotgun blast.
2002 Commodore Dick Chilson introduces 2003 Commodore Steve Anderson	The plaque which resides next to the spot where the donated 1984 Olympic Yacht Racing Flagpole will be placed.	A lone bag-piper plays "Amazing Grace" after the invocation by Fleet Chaplain Monsignor Gualderon
Right to left: Commodore Steve Anderson and wife Lisa, Vice Commodore Jill Calhoun and husband Dave.	The SYC burgee is launched on a temporary pole. The absence of the donated flagpole was the only hitch in the day.	Paul Tardie, who managed the construction of the new clubhouse admires the "Facility Award" a new trophy donated by Commodore Steve Anderson and wife Lisa for members who are instrumental to the clubhouse. Paul is the first awardee.