2025 SCCYC Awards recognize outstanding members
Vincent Paternoster | Published on 12/9/2025
The SCCYC Awards were presented by Stephen Vincent, Master of Ceremony, on Saturday December 6 following at the Annual Installation Dinner.
The club house was packed with nearly 50 members and guests who were treated with cocktails followed by an italian dinner.
Special thanks for the donated desserts from Larry Nocerino and Pamela LeVault!
BUBBLE AWARD
The Bubble Award recognizes SCCYC member(s) who have unintentionally gone swimming from a dock or boat, in an unexpected, humorous, or unique mishap. Capsizes don’t count!
We have two Bubble Award recipients this year.
Rear Commodore SHAWNA MCLEAN.
Staff Commodore JEN KITCHEN.
COOK OF THE YEAR
Purpose: Most meals cooked for SCCYC from Dec–Nov.
Our club runs on volunteers, and nowhere is that more deliciously obvious than in the galley. The Cook of the Year award celebrates the member who has prepared the most meals for the club over the past season
This years winner has done several dinners and the membership dinner with her legendary lobster quiche is a hot ticket.
This year’s Cook of the Year is: ELISE DORAN
Newport to Ensenada – First to Finish
A little history about SCCYCs connection to the race. Back in 1947, when the Newport–Ensenada race was first being organized by what became the Newport Ocean Sailing Association (NOSA), SCCYC didn’t just send boats — we helped build the race. Our own Harold Adams was among the founding officers of NOSA and he was appointed the very first handicapper for the Ensenada race, designing and maintaining the system that we now know as PHRF
In addition, Adams and several other SCCYC members served as Race Committee Chairman for many Ensenada races during the 1950s and early 1960s.
So this race is in our DNA, and this award is too.
The 2025 SCCYC Newport to Ensenada First to Finish is: ROB DEKKER and Chucullain (koo koo layn)
Campbell Cup
The Campbell Cup is named for Phil Campbell, a legendary early sailor in Marina del Rey. Before the marina was even officially opened, Phil famously hauled his boat over the sand berm, launched it into the unfinished harbor, and went sailing — all while being chased by security. He not only got away with it, he became known as the first person ever to sail in Marina del Rey.
This is an intra-club race (only SCCYC) with an inverted handicap start (thats a pursuit race). That starts in the Marina, then goes to the imaginary spot where the santa monica bell buoy used to be.
The winner of the 2025 Campbell Cup is LENNY GORDON on SUNSHINE
RACE COMMITTEE BOAT OF THE YEAR
Our Race Committee boats are absolutely essential to everything we do on the water. Without a reliable RaceCommittee platform, we don’t have races — it’s that simple. These boats are our starting line, our finish line, and the foundation that lets our Race Committee run safe, fair, and fun events.
We are incredibly fortunate at SCCYC to have members who generously volunteer their time, their fuel, and their vessels so that the rest of us can enjoy a full season of racing. Their contribution is often behind the scenes, but it is vital to the success of every regatta we host.
Race Committee boat of the year is presented to the boat that serves the most days during the season as a committee boat for SCCYC events.
The Race Committee Boat of the Year is:
COMMODORE ELECT TINA ROMAIN on MARIAH
MARK SET BOAT OF THE YEAR
Mark set and safety boats are the quiet heroes of every race we run. These crews head out early, set the course, reset marks as the wind shifts, sometimes chase marks that make a break for it, and are there stand assist sailors in need.
Their work is often demanding, invisible, and absolutely vital and it relies entirely on those who generously volunteer their time, their boats and their backs. Without our mark set boats on the water, races just wouldn’t happen.
This year we’d like to recognize the 2025 MarkSet Boat of the Year: TONI THORNTON
CRUISER OF THE YEAR
The Cruiser of the Year award celebrates the SCCYC member who has spent the most days out on the water participating in our club-sanctioned cruises throughout the year.
Cruising is about more than just miles — it’s about showing up, supporting our club events, exploring our local waters, and helping build the camaraderie that makes SCCYC special. This award recognizes the member whose enthusiasm, and love of being out on the water truly embody the spirit of cruising at SCCYC. This years winner is all those things and has even dragged me out on an occasional cruise.
Our 2025 Cruiser of the Year is: CRUISE CHAIRMAN CHRIS KITCHEN
PRO OF THE YEAR
The Principal Race Officer — PRO — is the person who makes our races happen. They set the course, run the starting sequences, make the tough calls when conditions change, and ensure that every competitor has a fair, well-run, and safe experience on the water.
The PRO of the Year award recognizes the SCCYC member who has served the most days as Principal Race Officer in club-sanctioned events. And she also has the, as far as I know that most races ever run during a tsunami.
The PRO of the Year for 2025 is: JEN KITCHEN
RACER OF THE YEAR
The Racer of the Year award recognizes the SCCYC member who has spent the most days at the helm in club-sanctioned races throughout the season. This award isn’t about winning every start or taking home the most trophies — it’s about showing up, race after race, and being a dedicated part of our racing community.
The sailor honored tonight has logged more time on the course than anyone else this year, demonstrating commitment, passion, and a true love of being out on the water competing under the SCCYC burgee. And it doesn’t hurt that he’s almost always out in front.
The 2025 Racer of the Year is: OLE EICHHORN
YACHTSMAN OF THE YEAR
Purpose: the SCCYC flag member that has best demonstrated service to the yacht club by performing outstanding service(s) to the sport of yachting. It is the intent to elect an individual for, but not limited to, service in race management, teaching, mentoring and in areas other than as a racing skipper.
The 2025 Yachtsman of the Year is: ROB DEKKER
CORINTHIAN SPIRIT AWARD
The Corinthian Spirit award is one of our most prestigious awards that honor the flag member who has continuously demonstrated the Corinthian spirit by serving the yacht club over and above expected duty and who excels in promoting the volunteer spirit throughout the year.
This year's recipient showed her fighting spirit as she continued to show up and contribute to club, bringing her positive spunk and fire, despite a grueling recovery from a serious car accident.
She is a constant presence in the club and always steps up when needed.
This year’s Corinthian Spirit Award goes to: SHAWNA McLEAN
Chuck Livergood Award
The Chuck Livergood Commodore’s Award is a special honor personally selected each year by the Commodore. It recognizes a member whose dedication, service, and spirit have made an exceptional impact on SCCYC.
This year’s winner is a constant presence at the club, always here to greet members and new friends alike, he works constantly to keep the clubhouse clean and stocked. His music choices are on point and his bear hugs are legendary.
The 2025 Chuck Livergood winner is: Michael Cooper
Installation of Club Officers
Finally, the new officers were sworn in.
Below is the 2026 Bridge
Lynette LaScala Jr Staff Commodore
Tina Romain Commodore
Shawna McLean Vice Commodore
Hester Taylor Rear Commodore
