Chicago Yachting Association

CHICAGO YACHTING ASSOCIATION
3726 North Odell Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60601
info@chicagoyachtingassociation.org

History of Chicago Yachting Association

Early in 1998, the officers of the Chicago Yachting Association recognized the need for one organization whose mission would be to foster greater coordination between the public and private sectors regarding marine activities in the Greater Chicagoland Area. The Association also identified a need for a forum in which to exchange ideas, discuss and resolve common problems, and facilitate effective initiatives designed to further the maritime interests of Metropolitan Chicago.

This realization was the catalyst for a subsequent reworking of the purposes and aims of the Chicago Yachting Association and culminated in the adoption of a broad set of By-Laws in August 1999. Further broadening of the By-Laws in February 2001 resulted in the creation of four categories of membership to serve the diverse organizations in the marine community. (Please refer to our By-Laws, Article 4, for more details.)

The Chicago Yachting Association had its genesis in 1959 when Mayor Richard J. Daley requested that the boating community organize Chicago's First Venetian Night Parade of Boats. Colonel Riley, who at that time headed what is now The Mayor's Office of Special Events, met with representatives from a majority of the Chicago yacht clubs to discuss how this task could best be accomplished. The yacht clubs soon realized that only by working together would they be able to organize and effectively create the kind of event that Mayor Daley had envisioned as Venetian Night. This first parade was held in Diversey Harbor, consisted of over 200 boats, and lasted until past midnight. The Mayor was greatly impressed with the yachtsmen's "spectacular" participation and expressed his appreciation in a letter to them.

Prior to 1959, clubs would have races in which members of other clubs would participate. Winners would have to attend awards dinners at various clubs in order to receive awards won in the individual club races. Thus, one of the first action actions taken by this fledging organization was to inaugurate the Chicago Yachting Association Ball to centralize the bestowing of awards. This gala event has been hosted by the organization for over forty-three years and has been an annual citywide event that is eagerly anticipated by the race participants. Sailors and powerboaters, each participating in their own port-to-port, closed course sail races and predicted log contests salute each other at this unique celebration. Venetian Night winners also receive their awards at this event.

The magazine of the Association, Yachting in Chicago, was created as a vehicle for recording the awards ceremony. The magazine has been printed annually since 1959 and contains information on all the member clubs, as well as the race results and Venetian Night winners. News about the "Boat of the Year" event and "Yachtsman of the Year," is included along with a Special Awards Section and a message from the CYA Commodore.

As time went on, other organizations expressed interest in the activities of the Association. The Great Lakes Yacht Club wanted to award its prestigious "Cutlass Award" at the ball. In time, clubs located outside of Chicago's boundaries but sponsors of Area III races wanted to present awards at the CYA ball, and from time to time, special awards to honor a specific act or occasion were deemed appropriate. All these requests for award presentations were honored and became part of the ball's program.

Over the years, the Chicago Yachting Association grew to include all yacht clubs located within the city's limits. It continued to advise and consult informally with Mayor Richard J. Daley and Colonel Riley on harbor and boating issues. Mayor Byrne was also a supporter of the organization. In the 1980's, the Association was very instrumental in helping defeat the Mooring Tax. The Chicago Yachting Association was gradually becoming the voice of the boating community.

In 1989, the First Annual Inter-Club Frostbite Regatta was formed. This very popular and competitive event has created a healthy rivalry among member clubs. Even some of our strictly-powerboat clubs have participated. Rowing and kayaking gained in popularity, and the Lincoln Park Boat Club became a part of the CYA. In 1990, the Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Foundation was founded. The foundation provides a means for thousands of people with disabilities to experience the joy of boating. In 1999, this group hosted the Independence Cup/North America challenge cup, the national championship for disabled sailors. The Association has always been a strong supporter of this unique private/public partnership with the Chicago Park District.

The Chicago Yachting Association has always had a good working arrangement with the Chicago Police Department Marine Police and continues to support it. We also work very well with the U.S. Coast Guard and have utilized speakers from both organizations in our programs.

In 1996, the Chicago Park District privatized their harbor system and awarded the contract to Westrec Marinas. Over time, the CYA has developed an excellent relationship with Westrec and offers its input and assistance into the many harbor issues that arise.

The new By-Laws allow for the Association to take a more proactive stance on matters affecting the Chicagoland boating community. It allows the Association to more fully interact with government agencies, commercial boating businesses, and marine organizations. It participates in task forces and attends hearings that help influence the formulation of policy.

We hope that you feel your organization will want to be part of the future of Chicagoland boating. Becoming a member of the Chicago Yachting Association will help you attain that goal. We have the opportunity to move forward in the Twenty-First Century. It is now up to us to take that challenge and meet it.