The Pacific Coast Yachting Association, with the approval and encouragement of the Horder family, will recognize an outstanding youth sailing program for 2017. The trophy is awarded annually to the PCYA member organization whose submission detailing a member club’s youth boating program is determined by a PCYA committee to be the most deserving.

The trophy, a famous Currier and Ives print of the sail/steam vessel “San Francisco”, is over one hundred years old and occupies a prominent mantel location at St. Francis Yacht Club. The original trophy will remain at the St. Francis Yacht Club. Each year an engraved plaque inscribed with the name of the honored program is added to the list of awardees. A “take home” copy of the trophy will be presented to the winning PCYA organization.

Click on the following link to read the Horder 2017 Request for Nominees.

To learn more about the Garrett Horder … (more) →

Margaret Paterson (TYC Jr Sailing Chair) awarded by V/C Winston Bumpus PCYA

The Pacific Coast Yachting Association has chosen the Tacoma Yacht Club Junior Sailing Program as the 2016 recipient of the Pacific Coast Yachting Association’s Garret Horder Memorial Trophy.

There was some pretty stiff competition this year, but our Horder Committee felt that Tacoma YC’s program stood out. The committee found that over the last three years the club has continued to build out and to increase participation and scope for their junior program. They have terrific support from their members and have done a terrific job with outreach to their community and local schools. They also have admirable support for handicapped youth. Given that they have achieved all this with a reduced sailing … (more) →

Vern is a first-generation Dane. Both his parents are from the old country. He grew up in East Chicago. He joined the Marines at age 17 and served 7 years. He served in 4 of the 5 major battles in Korea during the Korean War. After getting out of the Marines Vern put himself through college eventually earning his doctorate in education and becoming Dr. Vern Bendsen.  

He has served as Commodore of the Solano Yacht Club in 2006, the Ben Ali Shrine Yacht Club in 1998 and the PICYA in 2004. He has dedicated his time to supporting the PICYA’s many programs including the PICYA Wheelchair Regatta for 17 years and ‘Make-A-Wish’ fundraisers from 1995 to 2010.  He has also been instrumental as chair of the … (more) →