Still some party in yacht race

June Casagrande

Some say the Newport to Ensenada race’s days of debauchery are long

gone, vanished like the images of pornographic movies that used to be

projected onto one yacht’s sail. Others say that Newport to Ensenada

hasn’t outgrown the wild times, but that they themselves have grown

into a more sober and serious racing experience.

They’re both right. While the 56-year-old race has been working to

polish its image into one more consistent with the Tommy Bahama

target market, there’s still plenty of partying for those looking for

it.

“In the early days, for me, the race was a vehicle to go down and

play,” said Steve Schupak, a Costa Mesa resident who sailed his first

Newport to Ensenada in the 1980s at age 16. His wildest memories

include a certain Sunday in the late 1980s when cruise ship

passengers, Ensenada racers and other revelers “turned Papas and Beer

into ‘Girls Gone Wild.’”

More than 20 years later, it’s as if Schupak were in an entirely

different race.

“It’s truly a family event,” he said.

The essential ingredient for Schupak is family. Now married for

eight years and the father of two boys, 5 years and 10 months old,

it’s no longer about the booze-fueled revelry. Two years ago, Schupak

brought his young son along on the race and, once in Ensenada,

enjoyed a mellow but memorable dinner get-together with the whole

family.

“I think it’s what you make it,” he said. “The wild parties are

probably still there for young people looking for them. But for me,

the more time goes on, it’s more of a pure sailing event than an

excuse to go down there.”

This year, Schupak will be a crew member on Tom Schock’s

Schockalulu, a Schock 40, designed by its owner. If his crew arrives

early enough, he might even jump in the car and head home the same

night.

Still, in Newport and in Ensenada, today’s parties may be a little

more tame, but just a little.

“Sure, there’s plenty of heavy drinking going on,” said Brian

Carlson, general manager of the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, which

hosts the annual pre-race fiesta the night before the race. “But a

lot of skippers and other people who need to be in good shape to sail

often take it easy. They’re thinking about the race.”

The club was expecting about 1,000 people Thursday night for the

party it has been hosting for more than a decade. This year’s fiesta

included a station with tequila shooters, as well as booths set up by

sponsors Mount Gay Rum, Corona and Rolling Rock. A live band

outdoors, a disc jokey indoors and a Mexican buffet also added to the

entertainment.

Of course, the yacht club set likely conduct themselves a little

differently than the Ensenada crowd Schupak witnessed at work in the

late 1980s.

“I think it’s what you want it to be,” Schupak said. “Depending on

where you are in life, you will conduct yourself accordingly.”

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport. She

may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

june.casagrande@latimes.com.