California Yacht Club was established in
1922 and boated its first competitive rowing team back in the 1930's. In 1977,
after a long hiatus, Stan Mullin, Ken Jacobs and Charles Hathaway reactivated
rowing at the Club and it has grown since then.
Charles Hathaway’s Birthday Catalina Crossing, 1976
For many years California Yacht
Club hosted the 32-nautical mile open water rowing regatta, the Catalina
Crossing. This race was between the Isthmus of Catalina and California Yacht
Club's guest dock in Marina del Rey. The race began the year after Charles
Hathaway rowed his 300-pound fixed-seat dory Fritz across the Catalina Channel
in celebration of his 50th birthday.
In current times, CYC rowers now number
more than 75, and represent all abilities, ages and motivations. Our rowers
range from recreational to retired National Team/Olympians and Juniors. Most of
our rowers scull on a day-to-day basis. In addition to flat-water rowing, we
have a dedicated group of open-water rowers who enjoy the entire Santa Monica
Bay. For those interested in competing, CYC crews have done extremely well in
all types of competitions around the country and have even competed internationally.