More Than 70 Boats Competed in the 87th Annual Flight of Newport Beach on July 16

By Jim Collins – July 19, 2023

Source: Newport Beach Independent www.newportbeachindy.com/more-than-70-boats-competed-in-the-87th-annual-flight-of-newport-beach-on-july-16/


The 2023 Flight of Newport Beach / photo by Jim Collins

The 2023 Flight of Newport Beach / photo by Jim Collins

More than 70 boats competed in the 87th Annual Flight of Newport Beach, presented by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce with assistance from the Balboa Yacht Club.

Initially known as the Flight of the Snowbirds and later the Flight of the Lasers, the Flight of Newport had three different classes of boats racing to circumvent Newport Harbor.

The 2023 Flight of Newport / photo by Jim Collins

The 2023 Flight of Newport Beach / photo by Jim Collins

Among the winners: Lynn Acosta from Dana Point Yacht Club (Top Female), Leela McClain from Balboa Island Yacht Club (Top Youngest Girl), Tucker Strasser from Del Ray Yacht Club (Top Radial), Alden Morales from Balboa Island Yacht Club (Top Youngest Boy), Rod Turner and Ashley Turner from Newport Harbor Yacht Club (Top Parent/Child), Rich and Karen Luttrell from Balboa Yacht Club (Top Married Couple), and David Tingler from Lido Isle Yacht Club. For more information, visit https://flightofnewportbeach.com

The 2023 Flight of Newport / photo by Jim Collins

The 2023 Flight of Newport Beach / photo by Jim Collins


By Jim Collins – July 19, 2023

Source: Newport Beach Independent www.newportbeachindy.com/more-than-70-boats-competed-in-the-87th-annual-flight-of-newport-beach-on-july-16/

The Balboa Island Ferry, one of our most iconic Newport Beach tourism experiences, could be no more.

If that sounds dramatic, it is. I can’t imagine our city without the ferry, but unless something is done, this treasured piece of our city could be gone in less than two years.

Thousands of locals and visitors use the ferry every year and it’s a vital part of our culture and history. It is part of what makes us Newport Beach, and in my mind, it is as important as our beaches. But all of that is now threatened and could be lost.

Representatives from the Surfrider Foundation North Orange County Chapter recently presented the City with a generous donation of $12,415 toward the purchase and installation of a new marine trash skimmer for Newport Harbor. The donation will be used to offset the $18,000 cost of a new trash skimmer that will replace an older, broken skimmer located at the Rhine Wharf public dock.

City leaders gathered at Marina Park on Sunday to remember the first anniversary of the death of Huntington Beach Police Officer Nick Vella off the Lido Peninsula.

“The city of Newport Beach is honored to celebrate the life and sacrifice of Officer Pilot Vella. His bravery and valor shall be remembered forever.” – Newport Beach Mayor Noah Blom