Eastern Yacht Club shares updates from various sectors of their operations on and off the water.

Sailing Achievements
In sailing news, EYC had a busy and exciting fall season hosting several events in home waters while representing Team EYC at regattas worldwide. On Friday, November 7, we capped off the season by recognizing and celebrating the sailing accomplishments of our members and local sailors at one of the most important events at the Club: the Annual Yachting Awards Dinner. The sold-out event was highlighted by the presentation of the prestigious Charles Francis Adams Award to Commodore Bruce Dyson, recognizing his many decades of exceptional achievement in the sport of sailing. Congratulations to Bruce and all of this year’s award recipients.

The J/70 Worlds hosted by the Yacht Club Argentino wrapped up on Saturday, November 1, with a historic win by Laura Grondin, an American sailing for New York Yacht Club, who is the first female helm to win the event. After a challenging event, EYC’s Jud Smith and his team aboard Relative Obscurity ended up 10th in the 80-boat fleet, while Ian Barrows and the team on Savansana finished 20th.

EYC was also represented by Tomas and Melody Hornos, who provided color commentary and media coverage for the event. You can rewatch all the coverage on the Sail22 Facebook page, including Tomas’s pre-regatta interview with Ian.

The second annual EYC ILCA Slalom event was run November 1 in crisp fall southwesterlies, with plenty of 100-degree shifts and stinger puffs to keep competitors on their toes. Eight sailors competed in a bracket format, with spectators lining the EYC porch to watch the auto-tacks and death rolls.

EYC’s Sailing Committee is comprised of eight subcommittees, which met on November 12 to kick-off planning for the season.

Cruise Cocktail Party
On Friday, November 14, Fleet Captains Stephen and Julie Pitt hosted a cocktail party in the Sailing Center to relive the Summer Cruise 2025 to Southern New England ports of call in Newport, Jamestown, Fishers Island, Mystic, Block Island and Cuttyhunk. We celebrated with Cruise Awards and Recognitions, watching a Cruise video recap, and giving insight into the Summer Cruise 2026. The party was open to all EYC members and was a great opportunity to learn about the EYC Cruise, ask questions, and meet fellow cruisers.

Racquets
EYC’s paddle tennis season is off to a great start with programs starting to get busier as the weather cools down. There are 21 hours of weekly clinics scheduled, with opportunities for everyone to join in. Our kids’ paddle clinics have been a big success so far, with a paddle and pizza night on Friday, November 21. The annual Rough and Smooth tournament took place on Saturday, November 22. The bracket is capped at 32 teams in a mixed doubles format.

Holiday Events
EYC is in full festive mode with a variety of holiday events planned in December before closing for the season. Members will enjoy a Holiday Winter Village on December 5, including gift shopping from our collection of club-branded items, a toy drive, wreath making workshop, beer and wine tastings, capped off by the famous EYC Club Closing Holiday Party on December 13.

Season’s greetings, fair winds and a following sea from Eastern Yacht Club.