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Newport Beach Harbor,
prior to development, was a shallow tidelands bay, semi protected by a
sandspit, with low areas on either end. Developed first as a shipping port in the
1880's by James McFadden and his brother after a federal survey showed a
deep area off the sandspit, the bay itself was
dredged in 1936 to make mooring possible. "Islands"
were either improved upon or man-made and are lined with pricey,
beautiful homes, even if they do have their own docks. Yacht Clubs
sprang up, giving home to the Corinthian spirit shown by yachtsmen and
their penchant for bigger and faster toys, even in the early
1900's. Newport Harbor is also home to 2 very good sailing
centers, located along PCH. The Orange Coast Sailing Center, which
incorporates the UCI sailing programs as well, and the Boy Scout Sailing
Base both offer a multitude of instructional programs and the
opportunity for all to access the waterways and the life of the
oceans.
Newport Beach Harbor is famous for its week-long lighted boat parade
during the Christmas holidays. The parade originated in 1908 when Venetian gondolier, John Scarpa
illuminated eight canoes and his gondola, the humble beginnings of what
is now an intense competition, costing thousands of dollars. It
was officially sanctioned in 1919.
One of my first sailing memories is of Newport Harbor and the main
channel where the ferry crosses. My father decided that, after
many years of too much to do, he had the time to resume his sailing and
that it was time to introduce his rather flighty 14 year old daughter to
wonders of boating. We rented a little boat and zipped around the
harbor under his tutelage for about 45 minutes when he decided it was
time for me to take the helm. I quickly sailed through a Junior's
sabot race and loudly learned that this was bad form from the nearby,
observers, the parents. Then I proceeded to get in the way of the
Balboa Ferry and learned the rules of the road. Driving home, I
told my Dad that it was exciting but I thought I'd rather focus on
boys. I didn't take my next lesson again until I was 38 years old
and in a much quieter, little harbor. But, thanks to my dad, my
son is now the son of a daughter of a sailor man. And does he
laugh now when he looks down from the calm seas above as he sees me
living aboard my own boat? |
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