The Great Vallejo Race: best party or best race?

April 28, 11:44 AMSF Sailing ExaminerEdward Killeen

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Roshambo heading downwind upriver.   © Peter Lyons, Lyons Imaging

All discussions of this race migrate to the party.  You start off talking about the weather forecast and it inevitably turns to what brand of rum there will be.  The Vallejo Yacht Club prints out Sailing Instructions AND race/party activities.  That's how you turn a regatta from "The Vallejo Race" into "The Great Vallejo Race."

Let's start with the race since you have to race on Saturday to get to the party.  So far almost 250 boats ranging from Bill Erkelens' Adrenaline (PHRF -84) to Can O' Whoopass, a Cal 20 rated 255, are entered.  These 250 boats will start at YRA 8 by Pt. Blunt, head upwind over to YRA 21 and then dash downwind and upriver to Vallejo.  That's 21.5 nautical miles of hopefully downwind gybing fun.

21 miles of downwind gybing fun through shoal-infested waters tends to leave a racer thirsty.  That's where the party aspect of this race comes in.  Vallejo Yacht Club puts on quite a show.  They have multiple bars set up, the main one has mixed drinks and beer, with "auxillary" bars set up for Ramos Fizz and Bloody Mary's.  They also have Johnny Nitro & the Doorslammers playing in the club all night.

In the past, a certain anonymous Moore sailor has brought a blender to add spice to the raft-up; it will be interesting to see what racers are willing to carry the extra weight on their boat to keep that party going.  I'm guessing incriminating details will be found at Latitude 38 or Norcal Sailing next week.

All good things must come to an end and that's why Sunday was invented.  The boats participate in the second part of the racing, usually an upwind bash back up to San Rafael.  Graciously, The Great Vallejo Race powers that be cut 7 miles off of the second leg of the race so that racers can finally get some sleep Sunday night.

The Great Vallejo Race is actually a great race and a great party.  Most importantly, it's a great way to start off the Spring/Summer sailing season.  If you're going, bring a blender.