On January 12, 1985, a group of 40 sailors/racers got together at the Pelican Point Yacht Club to further sailing activities on Smith Mountain Lake.  This group formed a steering committee to see if there was enough interest to form a new sailing club.  The steering committee consisted of: Mark Bittle, Howard Chilton, Eddie Hornick, George Konizer, Charlie Manning, Dale Poe, and Jeff Powell. The steering committee members contributed $22.00 each to get the club started. Ralph and Ginny Zahn contributed $100.00 and offered the use of Pelican Point Yacht Club to help get us started.

We began to talk about an open membership racing association for Smith Mountain Lake. The Virginia Inland Sailing Association (VISA) already existed here, but was a private club with a long waiting list, and there were no other organized activities elsewhere on the lake.

Our goal was to have another racing and sailing organization that would be simple, low cost, and anyone could become a member without waiting lists or initiations.

On February 23, 1985, the first BYRA meeting was held in Pelican Point’s service shop. The following people were nominated to be BYRA’s first officers:

George Konizer, Commodore

Barry Moss, Vice Commodore

Joyce Firing, Rear Commodore

Jack Chamberlain, Secretary-Treasurer

Mark Bittle, Fleet Captain  

With the name settled, Blackwater Yacht Racing Association (BYRA), club officers elected, by-laws drawn up, dues paid, racing schedule approved, and socials scheduled -- We were ready to go!

Charter Members