‍ Summer 2025

‍Commodore's Corner

‍

Summer of 2025 Has Been a HOT One! And we’re not just talking about the temperatures!

Hola Amigos!

By many measures, the summer of 2025 has been one of the most successful in recent memory for Vallarta Yacht Club. Summer is always a challenge, with so many members traveling or returning to their northern homes, but thanks to the enthusiasm and participation of those who remained in Nuevo Vallarta, the club exceeded expectations.

Our events, marketing, and membership teams kept the momentum going all summer long, ensuring VYC and all we offer stayed front and center with members and the surrounding community. The restaurant was busier than usual, thanks to steady event planning and the reminder that VYC is open, air-conditioned, and a fun place to be. Club Manager Rudy and his staff deserve special recognition for providing excellent service while carefully managing expenses.

The results speak for themselves: since May, VYC has welcomed 14 new fun-loving members into our community!

Our Junior Sailing program also had an outstanding summer, running four camp sessions with 92 young sailors. Even more exciting, the program began “growing our own” coaches by training two advanced youth sailors as instructors—a fantastic investment in the future of sailing at VYC.

Thanks to the combined efforts of so many, VYC is heading into the 2026 season stronger than ever. Congratulations to all involved!

Planning is already well underway for next season’s regattas, social events, and the camaraderie that makes us the amazing “Little Club That Can.”

We can’t wait to welcome back our “up north” members and continue the fun together.

 In This Issue 

• ‍Welcome New Members!
• Summer Fun at VYC
• ‍ What's that you hear?
• ‍Banderas Bay Regatta XXXIII
• ‍Members on the Water
• ‍Junior Sailing Camps again a HUGE Success
• Member Spotlight: Tim Palmatier
• ‍All Eyes on Lucas Jack  

‍Welcome New Members!

‍Elizabeth Baggs & Alan Stretcher

Nalasa Cutler & Anthony Ogley

Scott Hodgson & Karina Meraz Lozano

Adriana Gonzales

Bettina Atley Johnson & Terry Johnson

Manuel Barrientos Arriaga & Magdelana Garza 

  Orozco Pareja

Click members' name to read more about them!

Summer Membership Promotion Ignites a New Wave of Members 

This was no lazy summer at VYC! The club was hopping with activities, and new members joined in to be part of the fun. I’m happy to share that a dozen new people are now part of our VYC family!

A big thank-you to everyone who helped make this promotion such a success. And special recognition goes to our Membership Committee—the team behind the idea—Lisa Reyes, Jeffrey Kopczynski, Greg “Goyo” Dotsch, and Annie Bloomquist.

- Charity Palmatier, Director of Membership

Summer Fun at VYC

From Movie nights to Games - what a blast!

This summer at the Club has been nothing short of unforgettable! From the very first Dinner and a Movie night to our lively Game Days, the spirit of fun, friendship, and community has been shining brighter than ever.

‍ What's that you hear?

It's a new sound at Vallarta Yacht Club—literally! Thanks to the installation of a brand-new A/V sound system, the club is sounding better than ever.

Just in time for the busy sports season, members will enjoy an upgraded experience with screens capable of showing up to eight different events at once. Whether you’re following your favorite team or keeping tabs on multiple matches, you won’t miss a moment.

A special shout-out goes to Andy, who engineered the system and made this upgrade possible. His expertise ensures that whether you’re here for sports, movies, or special events, the experience will be a notch above.

Much of what makes the club so enjoyable comes from the generosity of its members. From dart boards and TVs to speakers and amplifiers, these contributions have helped shape VYC into the vibrant gathering place it is today. The new sound system is the latest example of members working together to make the club even better.

‍Banderas Bay Regatta XXXIII

Tales from Margaritaville

Join the Tradition: Banderas Bay Regatta XXXIII – March 17–21, 2026

For more than three decades, the Banderas Bay Regatta (BBR) has been the centerpiece of the sailing season on Banderas Bay. Blending spirited yacht racing with unforgettable shoreside fun, it has grown into one of Mexico’s premier cruising events. Each year, BBR delivers exhilarating sailing by day and legendary parties by night.

‍Members on the Water

‍‍Karina and Scott learning the ropes - literally!

‍

Many of our members, old and new, took to the bay this summer - some to learn and some to show them how it's done. 

‍Bart and Charity show Manuel and Adriana how to sail a 420 - you go!

‍Adriana Gonzales takes the helm of s/v Hey Ya - she looks right at home!

‍Junior Sailing Camps again a HUGE Success

Almost 100 kids participated this summer!

What a summer it’s been on Banderas Bay! Our Junior Sailing Camps were a HUGE success, running for four weeks with strong participation, great energy, and plenty of smiles on and off the water. From first-time sailors to returning kids eager to sharpen their skills, the camps were filled with learning, laughter, and adventure.

We caught up with our Junior Sailing coach, Keya Hernandez, to hear her perspective on what made this summer so special.

Member Spotlight: Tim Palmatier

Let’s start with your sailing story — how did you first get into sailing, and what brought you to Vallarta Yacht Club? How long have you been a member?

I’ve been interested in Boats since I was a kid. I didn’t have easy access to the water

until I got to Hawaii in my early 20’s and got involved in racing out of the Hawaii Yacht club. While I was in Hawaii I owned a series of boats that I lived on, the last one Charity and I raced a bit. While I lived in Hawaii I worked occasionally on charter boats, beach cats and dive boats doing maintenance, crew or captain. In the late nineties I had an opportunity to work for

Southern Spars, and I spent a few years with them in Minden Nevada building Carbon Spars for superyachts and racing boats as a rigger/project manager. I ended up in Portsmouth Rhode Island working at New England Boatworks and working with Southern Spars as they were

developing some of the first carbon standing rigging. I had a real cool 5 or 6 years working near the top of the international sail racing industry, with some travel to across the US, New Zealand and the Mediterranean.

‍All Eyes on Lucas Jack  

‍Young Sailer with big deams!

At just 12 years old, Lucas Jack is chasing a dream: to represent Mexico at the upcoming Optimist South American Championship.

Lucas began sailing at the age of 8, and in just a few short years he has already made waves across some of Mexico’s most iconic sailing waters — from Cancún to Chapala, Acapulco, and Yucatán. His results speak for themselves: a 2nd place finish in the Copa Aarón Sáenz in Acapulco and an impressive 3rd place overall out of 50 competitors in the same event. These triumphs are proof of his commitment, focus, and natural talent.

‍Teresa and Bart representing VYC at Copa Cummins!

‍Paseo de Los Cocoteros, 55 Local 1201

Nuevo Nayarit, Bahia de Banderas

Nayarit, Mexico 63735

Email: office@vallartayachtclub.org            ‍  

Phone: +52 329 116 0647