Ahoy!  Summer is in full swing at the Brigantine Yacht Club.  Members enjoyed a Fourth of July weekend packed with activities for sailors and landlubbers alike.  Diners at Friday night’s Sunset Grille enjoyed watching the Friday Night Race Series with a pirate twist.  All of our younger sailors received an award and lots of pirate loot for their participation, while our older sailors enjoyed racing around the marks in hopes of bragging rights for the night. 

The official Fourth of July regatta was held on Saturday.  Overall winners in the Optimist Class were Jack Corbett first, Connor Murray second, and Cole Murray third. In the Opti Blue Fleet (ages 11-12) Connor Murray placed first, followed by Paul Faherty in second, and Sean O’Connor in third.  In the White Fleet (ages 10 and under), Jack Corbett placed first, Cole Murray second, and Maeve Faherty third.  Sailing in his first regatta in Green Fleet (new Opti sailors), Christopher Harris was awarded the first place flag.   

 Saturday night the club welcomed back past members with a BYC reunion party.  Past and current members spent the evening mingling and reminiscing.  On Monday, July 4 members packed the club for an old-fashioned Fourth of July party that began with a selection of patriotic tunes played by the BYC Band.  Tributes were given to our current and retired servicemen and women, and to Naval Corpsman Cameron Walker who returned from his first tour of duty in Afghanistan.  Limbo and pie-eating contests followed the barbeque and all enjoyed the view of the Atlantic City fireworks to cap off the evening. 

During the week, BOLT, the BYC travel team, headed north to Haven Beach Club on Long Beach Island to kick off the summer Wednesday LBIYRA series.  Brigantine sailors did not disappoint.  In the Optimist Blue Fleet, Connor Murray finished in fifth place (10th overall out of 90).   In the White Fleet, Jack Corbett took home top honors (and 12th overall), Cole Murray finished third, and cousin Patrick Murray finished fifth.  Brendan O’Connor, Sean O’Connor and Paul Faherty also sailed well in the Optimist class.  In the Laser Class, Margot Murray finished second on her first outing in the Laser 4.7 division.  Marissa Murray sailed in Laser Radial. 

On Thursday, July 7, the travel team headed south to Avalon Yacht Club to participate in the Thursday MAYRA series.  Connor Murray finished third in Optimist Blue.  In Optimist White, Jack Corbett was first (third overall), Cole Murray third, and Patrick Murray fourth.  Margot Murray was second in Laser 4.7 and Marissa Murray placed first in Laser Radial.  Brendan and Sean O’Connor and Paul Faherty rounded out the team.

While our sailors were ready to compete at the Friday night intraclub series, tornado warnings and heavy rain grounded the fleet.  Despite the lack of a sunset, the Sunset Grille was open and members enjoyed a cozy evening of food and friendship. 

Snooki and the Situation look-alikes invaded BYC on Saturday, July 9 when Kelly and Steve Cordasco and Vicki and John Bilotta hosted a boisterous Jersey Shore party.  While there were many fist-pump-worthy costumes, Janet and Justin Long and Deb and Howard Schlesinger sported prize-winning ensembles, with shout-outs also going to Carolyn and Mike Harris and Lara and Shay Caherly.  A home-style Italian buffet was enjoyed by all.  In true Jersey Shore style, the celebration continued late into the night. 

The weekend culminated in a New Member Brunch on Sunday, hosted by Ellena and Nick Vaganos and Joe and Sue Tedeschi.  Current members welcomed our newest additions to the club and all feasted on a delicious brunch, featuring Ellena’s famous eggs benedict.  

On Saturday, July 16, Brigantine Yacht Club will host an art auction at 7 p.m.  Reproductions, numbered and limited-edition prints, as well as original works of art will be auctioned.  This event is open to the public.