The Westlake Yacht Club 2010 Opening Day will be Sat., April 17 at 32123 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village.

Registration begins at 11 a.m. and the ceremony at 12:30 p.m.

Those attending the ceremony will include commodores, vice commodores and rear commodores from across Southern California, members of the WestlakeYacht Club and local dignitaries, including Thousand Oaks Mayor Dennis Gillette.

The ceremony officially opens the sailing for the year as well as pays tribute to past commodores and the armed forces.

Vocalist Kristin Peterson Wat will sing, and Gary Dickey will play the bagpipes. The Marine Color Guard will present the colors.

The club began 41 years ago. Its sailing program is open to the public. The club’s program has produced an Olympic gold medal winner and sponsored Zac Sunderland in his solo journey around the world last year. 

This year’s bridge officers are Commodore Ed Jefferson, Vice Commodore Rob Schaefer and Rear Commodore Brian Rackohn.

Although the club is private, members need not live in Westlake Village to join nor do they need to own a boat. The board of directors recently increased the membership to 230 members.

For information on joining, call Bob Hanratty at (818) 879-9901.