My kind of club challenge event

by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News
I admit to being a bit conflicted about club challenge events in the USA. What purpose do they serve?

There is expense to participate, often by the club. There is ego for prominent clubs. But friendships get formed and ideas shared, perhaps on how more clubs can host more challenge events. “I’ll come to yours if you come to mine.”

I’ve won a couple, and they’re fun, but often for only a handful of members. Are they needed for clubs to survive? Do they bring in new members, or help retain current members? There had been fewer events, so perhaps growth provides more opportunity.

As host, they do foster membership community more so than an open regatta. That’s a good thing, and they elevate the club’s profile in the world of clubs. With so many clubs owning keelboat fleets (Sonars, J/22s, etc), they further justify that expense.

This all comes to mind after participating in a challenge event between San Diego Yacht Club and Club de Yates de Acapulco. What began as a friendly match following an offshore race to Mexico is now two clubs continuing a unique tradition that sets this event apart in the best of ways.

This was the 72nd edition, and goes well beyond rivalry. The event alternates each year between the clubs for keelboat racing, and there was 52 of us that made the 3.5-hour flight to this resort city in Mexico. We footed the bill, and it was as much summer camp as competition.

The host provided two 4-boat fleets – each club had one Club Swan 42, one turbo Farr 40, and two standard Farr 40s. We got our sombrero handed to us, but this trip was more about meeting new friends and continuing enduring relationships. My thirst for victory was replaced by flowing cocktails and comradery.

Opened in 1955, the club served as host of the sailing events for the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. It has now grown to provide remarkable services, with full-service boat yard (including travel lift), accommodations, restaurant, gym, spa, tennis court, and expansive pool.

Two years ago, the club and region were decimated by Hurricane Otis, and we celebrated a recovery which has far outpaced what could occur in the USA. Their resilience and hospitality stood out, and I’m flattered the Scuttlebutt Sailing Club burgee flies amid others in the rebuild at Club de Yates de Acapulco.

With less focus on winning and losing, it was an opportunity for an extensive group of my club members to participate in this historic bond. We all got to know each other better and further connections with our Mexican neighbors. This was my kind of club challenge event.