The Fresno Yacht Club, Home of the High Sierra Regatta
2024 High Sierra Regatta
July 13 - 14
July 20 - 21
Milestones Along the Way...
1945 - In September 1945, a group of sailing enthusiast, with boats on the recently formed Lake Millerton, organized into a sailing club. On October 26, of that same year the Articles of Organization were adopted and the Lake Millerton Sailing Association was born with 22 charter members. James Wyattt, Jr. was elected commodore, Kenneth Craycroft as Vice Commodore, Butler Minor as Fleet Captain, and J. Brooke Lamkin as Secretary/Treasurer.
1946 - The Lake Millerton Sailing Association had grown to 65 members sailing 30 boats by October 1946. There were 17 Mercury’s, 3 Fresno Class, 3 Snipes, 2 Suns, 1 Fattie and 4 other miscellaneous boats. Within two years larger boats were seen on the lake, including the Luders 16, and Inland Scows and International 110. The forerunners of racing, as we now know it, had begun with the Spring and Fall Series and the first Hizenrader Handicap Series.
1959 - The old Lake Millerton Sailing Association was dissolved and the Fresno Yacht Club was formed with a membership of over 100. The largest class had become the Lido 14’s.
1984 - After a strong membership drive the club grew to well over 200 members
1993 - The High Sierra Regatta grew to three weekends.
2003 – The 50th Anniversary High Sierra Regatta was celebrated.
2004 – With the downfall of the Millerton Marina, the Bricker and Fall Series were moved to Huntington Lake.
2014 – 2015 For the second time in High Sierra Regatta history, the Regatta had to be cancelled as there was not enough water in the lake to launch boats due to a severe, multi-year draught. 2016 is looking more promising and we are making all the preparations for a return of the HSR.
2016 – The water returned to Huntington Lake and so did 2 great weekends of racing for the High Sierra Regatta. 2017 looks to be shaping up as another stellar year for the event.
FRESNO YACHT CLUB HISTORY
September 1945, a group of sailing enthusiasts, with boats on the recently formed Lake Millerton, organized into a sailing club. On October of that same year, the Lake Millerton Sailing Association was born with 22 charter members. James Wyatt, Jr. was elected Commodore, Kenneth Craycroft as Vice Commodore, Butler Minor as Fleet Captain, and J. Brooke Lamkin as Secretary/Treasurer.
October, 1946, The Lake Millerton Sailing Association had grown to 65 members sailing 30 boats–Mercury’s, Fresno Class, Snipesm Suns, Fattie and other miscellaneous boats. Within two years larger boats were seen on the lake including the Luders 16, Inland Scows and International 110’s. Racing began with the Spring and Fall Series and the first Hizenrader Handicap Series.
1959 the Lake Millerton Sailing Association was dissolved and the Fresno Yacht Club (FYC) was formed with a membership of over 100. The largest class had become the Lido 14’s.
Today, the club is made up of primarily keel type boats, with the Victory 21, PHRF and San Juan 21 Fleets being the largest.
Our main sailing venues, Millerton Lake and Huntington Lake, are man-made lakes located about 20 minutes and 90 minutes N.E. of Fresno, CA, respectively. Racing takes place on Millerton year round, while racing at Huntington Lake in the High Sierras is restricted to summer only.
Fresno Yacht Club is always open to and seeking new members who would like to join us in the sport we so dearly love!