SEQUIM — The Sequim Bay Yacht Club will host free boat rides and rowing tryouts during its opening day celebration from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 5, as space and weather allows.
Signup for rides will be at the boat launch at John Wayne Marina, 2577 W. Sequim Bay Road.
The club will offer rides in its Flying Scot sailboat and in members’ power boats; life jackets will be provided and children younger than 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Adults may try rowing the club’s training shell out in Sequim Bay after a quick introduction on the rowing machine under the direction of Guy Lawrence, the club’s rowing coach.
Prospective rowers should wear athletic or water shoes.
Games and goodies for children will be available near the docks.
Club members will serve light refreshments and share and information about the club’s boating, social, education and philanthropic programs inside the club room until 1 p.m.
There will be a flag ceremony at 2:30 p.m. at the marina flagpole followed by the blessing of the fleet and the Last Call for members who died during the past year.
The ceremony will conclude with a concert by bagpiper Eric Evans, who will march to Pitship Point by 3 p.m. to play as members’ decorated boats leave the marina for a parade on Sequim Bay.
The parade can be viewed from Pitship Point, the marina building balcony, from the Mud Bay beach or from your own boat.
For more information, visit www.sequimbayyacht.club.