About WYC

Westlake Yacht Club

Founded March 11, 1969 — Westlake Yacht Club (WYC) is a private club owned and operated by its Members. Membership is open to everyone. Most Members live in the surrounding communities of Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills and Calabasas. WYC is a sailing club with strong and varied social activities. It is not necessary to live on the lake or own a boat to become a member. Westlake Yacht Club offers reciprocity with other recognized Yacht Clubs in the US and abroad. WYC was the Southern California Yachting Association, Senior Class Yacht Club of the Year in 1998.

WYC is a member club of:

United States Sailing Association
Southern California Yachting Association (Senior Class Member)
Yacht Racing Union of Southern California
Southern California Youth Yacht Racing Association
Association of Santa Monica Bay Yacht Clubs

The Clubhouse is located at the Landing on the Lake in Westlake Village.

Sailing: WYC promotes sailing and racing for adults and children. There is a Summer Sailing Academy for young adults ages 9 - 17. Regattas are held at least once a month on a Sunday afternoons. Open sailing is available outside of scheduled regattas and events.

Social Activities: The Clubhouse and Bar are open to members and guests on Friday evenings, on Sunday afternoons during scheduled regattas and for parties, meetings and social events. Barbecues occur most Friday evenings April through October. There are dinner dances and theme parties including the annual Commodore's Ball, New Year’s Eve, Sweetheart Ball and Halloween.

WYC is organized into fleets: The fleets host events based upon the fleet’s special interest. Currently the fleets of WYC are: Sailing Fleet (C-18s and C-14s and Lasers), Blue Water Fleet, Nautical Fleet, Friendship Fleet and the Kayak Fleet. For a brief summary of the activities of each fleet CLICK HERE.

From the Archives:

More Info

Special thanks to WYC member Bob Coutts for the use of many of his captivating photographs throughout this website.

Olympic GOLD Champions

By S/C Franklin Cofod

One of the most historic and memorable events in Westlake Yacht Club history will always be members Allison Jolly and Lynne Jewell winning the Gold Medal at the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea.

Their "Road to the Gold" began in 1987 when I was Commodore. Allison and Lynne had two 470 Olympic Class boats. Their logistical challenge was moving them from major regattas all over the country a few times a month. That challenge was solved by Catalina Yachts owner Frank Butler. Catalina was one of the largest boat manufacturers in the world with their factory on Victory Boulevard in Woodland Hills; every day they shipped boats all over the country and was able to assist moving the two boats so all Allison and Lynne had to do was sail.

At the US Olympic Trials in Newport, Rl, in June 1988,they started poorly but rose to the top and won the privilege of representing the United States at the Olympic Games. Their Olympic Trials medal lives in our trophy case.

At the Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, Allison and Lynn were considered a long shot. They placed third in their first race. In the next race they capsized twice, but remained in contention They finished strong in the remaining races and won the gold medal convincingly. The Washington Post wrote they "blew the competition out of the water."

Every year we celebrate their victory with the Olympic Gold Cup Regatta. Staff Commodore Larry Warner made a huge replica of the Gold Medal which hangs on a wall in the club.

ADDED NOTES: Allison Jolly and Lynne Jewell Shore became the first women to win an Olympic gold medal in sailing at the 1988 Olympic Games in South Korea.

The sailing competition of the '88 Games was the first time that a separate event was created exclusively for women athletes. The inaugural women's 470 Olympic competition featured teams from 21 nations. This historic performance earned them the Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year honors.