Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit - June 1st is Navy Day across Mexico, commemorating the launching of the first 100% Mexican crewed ship, the Tabasco, on June 1st 1917, from the Port of Veracruz. The first time Día de la Marina was celebrated was on June 1st 1942, when the crews of various ships - torpedoed by German submarines in the Second World War - were honored. Since then every year the Mexican Navy commemorates this date with festivities all around the country.

This year, the Pro-Celebration Committee of the Bahía de Banderas Navy, in conjunction with the governments of Jalisco and Nayarit; the municipalities of Bahía de Banderas, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo Corrientes; SCT and API Vallarta, have organized a series of events open to the public and to the nautical community in the Banderas Bay region.

The full day of celebrations starts on Saturday, June 1st at 9 am with an official ceremony on Pier 3 of API Vallarta, (a.k.a. the Maritime Terminal), and concludes at 10 pm with a fireworks show over the Bay of Banderas. Click HERE for the full schedule of events.

Since Navy sailors have participated in Banderas Bay area regattas, including April's WesMex Regatta and the Copa Mexico Olympic Edition in 2012, the Navy here in Vallarta has asked the Vallarta Yacht Club to organize a regatta as part of the local celebrations.

As such, the Vallarta Yacht Club is proud to present the 2013 Día de La Marina Regatta. This competition is open to all sailors in the Optimist, Laser, C420 and RS:X and Bic Techno-293 classes, with races starting at 1:00 pm.

The race courses will be in front of the Paradise Village Hotel beach, from which the public is invited to enjoy races. Panga service will be provided for those wanting to see the races from the water at a minimum fee, departing from the public pier near the Yacht Club.

A total of 35 boats are expected to be part of this event. Lake Chapala Opti sailors will be traveling here to participate in the Regatta and to help us celebrate El Día de la Marina on Banderas Bay. Join in - volunteer, or head on out to the beach and watch the fun!

For more information about the 2013 Día de La Marina Regatta, call (322) 297-2222 or send an email to ibisdeteresapr(at)vallartayachtclub.org.