Los Angeles Yacht Club has a long history of competitive racing and was founded with the purpose of promoting sailboat racing of all types.  We are well known for race management and organization. LAYC has been the starting club for the biennial Transpac race for more than 70 years. Club members organize several regattas each year, including the George Griffith Series, the Harbor Series, the intercollegiate invitational Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup to name a few. Members were very involved in running the Olympic sailing events in 1984, and we look forward to helping again in 2028. The Clubhouse collection of trophies and memorabilia proves that big and small the club races them all.

One way the club has delivered on its purpose to encourage the sport of racing was to introduce the George Griffith series in 2014. This series of three racing days, each followed by a party at the club, was introduced at George’s behest to keep alive the Corinthian spirit and comradery of racing sailboats. The series also helps to celebrate and memorialize the many contributions George made to sailboat racing, the club, and boating in general. Perhaps one of the most notable was his design guidance in the development of the now legendary Cal 40’s, which dominated Transpac in the 60’s. George and his brother won the 1941 Transpac race and he was the most senior member of the Transpac Yacht Club when he passed away in September 2012. At that time, he was also the 4th most senior member of the LAYC having been commodore in 1971. Throughout the summer in 2012, George and his wife Mille could be found with family and friends aboard Sarissa at their mooring at Howland’s Landing.