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.
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