Overview
Vallarta Yacht Club (Vallarta Club de Yates, A.C.) is a non-profit civil association founded in 2002 by cruisers on Banderas Bay; since 2023 its clubhouse has been on the second floor of the Centro Empresarial in Nuevo Vallarta, with the Picante Grill restaurant. It is a member of the Mexican Sailing Federation and runs two signature regattas: WesMex (since 2006), a key event for Mexican youth sailing, and the Banderas Bay Regatta, Mexico's best-known cruiser regatta. It has hosted the J/24 (2007), Laser (2016) and ILCA (2022) world championships, the sailing of the 2011 Pan American Games and several Optimist North Americans. Its junior sailing programme (ages 6–18) and a fleet of more than 30 sailboats, pangas and RIBs are available to members.
- Founded
- 2002
- Federation
- Federación Mexicana de Vela
- Phone
- +52 329 116 0647
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Regattas and series
Run or hosted by the club, per the club website. Dates and notices are on the club site.
- WesMex Regattasignature small-boat regatta since February 2006 (Optimist, ILCA, iQFoil); qualifier for the Optimist North Americans and Worlds and the ILCA Youth Worlds
- Banderas Bay RegattaMexico's premier cruiser regatta for more than 30 years, from Hobie 16s to traditional schooners
- Vallarta Cuptwo weekends of racing in January
- Banderas Bay Blastcruising regatta in December
- New Year's Day Race1 January race
- J/70 Paradise CupJ/70 fleet regatta in June
- J/70 Mexican Nationalshosted in 2019 and 2026
- Regata de la Revoluciónyouth regatta
- Beer Can Racesweekly club series, November to May
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Boat classes
History and achievements
- 2002Cruisers found the club on Banderas Bay.
- 2006First WesMex regatta (February).
- 2007Hosts the J/24 Worlds and the Optimist North Americans.
- 2011Hosts the sailing of the Pan American Games.
- 2016Hosts the Laser World Championship.
- 2022Hosts the ILCA Men's and Masters Worlds.
- 2023Moves to its new clubhouse in Nuevo Vallarta's Centro Empresarial.
- 2024Hosts the J/70 North Americans.
Location
- Position
- 20°41.89′ N 105°17.76′ W
20.69811, -105.29605 - Address
- Paseo de los Cocoteros 55, Local 1201, Centro Empresarial, Col. Nuevo Nayarit
Frequently asked
Can I learn to sail here?
Yes. The club lists these courses: Junior Sailing Program and Pacific Puddle Jump Seminars.
When was Vallarta Yacht Club founded?
In 2002.
Which regattas does the club run?
According to the club website, among others: WesMex Regatta, Banderas Bay Regatta, Vallarta Cup and Banderas Bay Blast.