SAUSALITO, Calif.  April 2, 2009 -- A celebration marking the official beginning of the new boating season, “Opening Day on The Bay,” is slated for Sunday, April 26.  A flotilla of nearly 250 recreational vessels of every size and shape will parade along San Francisco Bay’s northern shoreline from Crissy Field to Pier 39 starting at 12 noon.

With this year’s theme “Legends of the Sea,” viewers can expect to see famous pirates, sea serpents, Greek gods and creatures from deep under the sea aboard the parade of power and sail boats competing for best decoration honors. Some vessel owners take weeks to prepare elaborate designs.  Fireboats, historic work boats, classic and contemporary craft also participate.

Organized by the Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association (PICYA) and sponsored for the last eight years by Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), Opening Day is Northern California’s premier boating event. PICYA members representing over 20,000 boating families and 100 yacht clubs from around the Bay and Delta region will compete for an array of awards, including the BoatUS Ward Cleaveland Memorial Trophy for best decorated boat. The Empress Hornblower will serve as the official committee boat.

A Blessing of the Fleet will take place prior to the parade at 10:30AM and will be located at Raccoon Straits in Marin County. The event also coincides with additional Opening Day festivities taking place at dozens of PICYA clubs across the region, such as BBQ’s, flag raisings and other social events.

“This event signals the official start of a new boating season. For PICYA families and boaters from all walks of life, our passion for spending time on the water is renewed. Boating with loved ones and friends is a wonderful escape from these troubled times,” said Richard Schwartz, founder and chairman of BoatUS.

PICYA Commodore William Needham said, "BoatUS has been an important supporter of PICYA and has been a great advocate for all California boaters. We are especially pleased that Richard Schwartz will be with us again to witness this great event that heralds the beginning of the new boating season.”

For more information, go to http://www.PICYA.org .

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About PICYA:

The Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association was formed in San Francisco in 1896 to improve communication between yacht clubs, provide uniform racing rules, and encourage yachting. Today it is the only organization in Northern California that supports the promotion of recreational boating through the coordination and dissemination of information for the benefit of boaters.  It publishes the Yachting Yearbook, the annual directory of member clubs and information, and created Recreational Boaters of California, a governmental advocacy organization committed to promoting the enjoyment, protection, and responsible use of our waterways.  PICYA has coordinated Opening Day since 1917.

About BoatUS:

BoatUS – Boat Owners Association of The United States – is the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its 600,000 members with government representation, programs and money saving services.  For membership information visit www.BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628.