One of the longest continuous running regattas in Southern California, the "Around Catalina" race held over the Memorial Day Weekend is co-sponsored by the partnership of Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club and Dana Point Yacht Club. The planned new "Qualifier 175 Course" has been postponed for introduction in 2027! The new course at 175 miles will be designed to provide a start line and course angles that Transpac racers experience and a legitimate tune-up course for those racers, as well as a challenging offshore course for all competitive racers. The race began when Commodore, Frank Dair of Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club and Commodore, Barbara McCarthy of Dana Point Yacht Club met and brainstormed the idea of a "Historic Mariners Race" (Richard Henry Dana and Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo) with both clubs participating. CBYC Rear Commodore, Dave Shutte along with DPYC Rear Commodore, Steve Franta pursued this plan. The first "Historic Mariners Race" was held over the Memorial Day Weekend in May 1981. It was a successful beginning with over 60 boats participating. After a few years, the name was changed to the "Around Catalina Race" to preclude the impression that it was an "old classic boat" race.