BBYRA - Black Bear Yacht Racing Association

BBYRA - Black Bear Yacht Racing Association In the early 1980's, our founders started out as a group of people who loved to sail and were loosely organized as the Brigadoon Yacht Club.

The Black Bear Yacht Racing Association is a non-profit Minnesota corporation formed in the early Spring of 1984 for the purpose of offering the Keel boater the opportunity to compete in organized regattas. But just loving to sail wasn't enough to keep them satisfied. So, under the sponsorship of the Brigadoon Yacht Club, the first Bent Nail Regatta was held on White Bear Lake on August 27, 1983.

And that regatta got the juices flowing. So over the winter of 1983/1984 the Brigadoon Yacht Club changed its' name to the Black Bear Yacht Racing Association and put out an invitation to White Bear sailors that said, "The Black Bear Yacht Racing Association is a non-profit Minnesota corporation formed in the early Spring of 1984 for the purpose of offering the keel boater the opportunity to compete in organized regattas." In early 1984, the White Bear Press ran an article under the headline "New Racing Association To Begin." In that article our first Commodore, Bill Ecklund, was quoted as saying, "The time is right. Though pleasure sailing is what we're mostly interested in, the excitement of testing one boat against another is something that has caught everyone's attention." The first meeting of the BBYRA was held at the North Oaks Oak Room on Sunday, April 15, 1984. 41 people were present. Officers were elected and the first slate of 3 races was presented to the group. At that meeting, Doris and Don Furlong indicated that they would be interested in joining as Social members. It was also suggested that perhaps others, not interested in racing, might like social memberships. The minutes of that meeting indicated, "This is to be taken under consideration, and realistic dues will be determined." In 1984, 37 boats joined the association. The emphasis from the very beginning was on having fun. A festive atmosphere was apparent after every race as members exchanged stories of daring and bravado while waiting for race results on the porch of Tally's. On one occasion, Rich Pogue's band played, and everyone danced. Since then the number of boats and fleets has grown, the race schedule has been expanded, and a formal educational component has been added, but the emphasis on having fun hasn't changed.

Today was very windy but after our race started at 6:30 the wind dropped off quickly, making for a frustratingly slow se...
06/17/2026

Today was very windy but after our race started at 6:30 the wind dropped off quickly, making for a frustratingly slow second half. However, look how beautiful the evening was!

Our 2026 sailing season kickoff was today at the Boatworks Commons. Our speaker, Jay Rendall, gave a presentation about ...
04/26/2026

Our 2026 sailing season kickoff was today at the Boatworks Commons. Our speaker, Jay Rendall, gave a presentation about the history of boat building in White Bear Lake.

Heading out to the race course on the last Saturday race of 2025. Iceberg series results:1st place: PY23, a Paceship 2nd...
10/01/2025

Heading out to the race course on the last Saturday race of 2025.

Iceberg series results:
1st place: PY23, a Paceship
2nd place: Sitta Vite, a Capri 22
3rd place: das Boot jr, a Cape Dory Typhoon

Tuesday September 30, our last race of 2025 😮 A lovely evening. All boats in September race PHRF. The final results for ...
10/01/2025

Tuesday September 30, our last race of 2025 😮 A lovely evening.

All boats in September race PHRF.

The final results for Tuesday Frozen Fingers are:
1st place, License To Chill, a Harmony 23
2nd place, Sitta Vite, a Capri 22
3rd place, das Boot Jr, a Cape Dory Typhoon

No big news on the water today but here is one photo of Swamp Critter and Echo Too, and one photo of some cool cloud for...
08/20/2025

No big news on the water today but here is one photo of Swamp Critter and Echo Too, and one photo of some cool cloud formations.

Das Boot jr is decked out for the Ordway Cup race!
07/20/2025

Das Boot jr is decked out for the Ordway Cup race!

Before-the-race action shot. Swamp Critter is helping to move one of the marks so our race doesn’t conflict with the WBY...
07/19/2025

Before-the-race action shot. Swamp Critter is helping to move one of the marks so our race doesn’t conflict with the WBYC’s race.

07/12/2025

Makeup races were canceled today due to air quality issues from Canadian wildfires ( dare I say, it STINKS outside)!

An unfortunate start to the 2025 season. We were able to complete 3 out of the 6 Saturday races. ☹️

First place in the Capri 22 class is Swamp Critter, owned by Charlie Helmes.

First place in the PHRF class is License 2 Chill, owned by Eric Hegland.

Fingers crossed that we can sail more often in the second half of our season!

07/09/2025

Our Tuesday evening Summer Series 1 race is complete.

🥇 First place in the PHRF division is Tom Bain and crew, PY Paceship sailboat.

🥇First place in the Capri 22 sailboat division is Echo Too, Mark Berens and crew.

⛵️⛵️⛵️⛵️⛵️⛵️⛵️⛵️⛵️⛵️⛵️⛵️⛵️⛵️⛵️⛵️⛵️

On the way back to the city of White Bear Lake docks after tonight’s race. So beautiful to race tonight. Decent wind, lo...
07/09/2025

On the way back to the city of White Bear Lake docks after tonight’s race.
So beautiful to race tonight. Decent wind, low humidity
It’s the last race of Summer Season 1. Already.

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White Bear Lake, MN
55110

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