Wicomico Yacht Club sees expansion in memberships since reopening

Hundreds of spectators gathered around the Wicomico Yacht Club's dock Sunday afternoon to watch the Chesapeake Cowboys compete to see who is the best boat docker.  This comes after the recent reopening of the beloved Wicomico Yacht Club, which was rebuilt following a devastating fire that happened back in 2016.

We're told this competition proves the yacht club is back and better than ever before.

"It's been fantastic, our membership has been up 20 percent.  Our membership has been the foundation of our club anyway, and they forged ahead and here we are today," said yacht club commodore Peter Hanulak.

Beyond that, Sunday's boat docking contest was the perfect opportunity to show off everything the new building has to offer.

"They have opened it up to more public activities, which I think that of itself will invite people to become members, and it helps bring in revenue for the community and for the yacht club," said Salisbury resident Amy Swanger, who was a frequent visitor before and after the yacht club was shut down.

At Sunday's event, about 600 people watched as captains aimed to get their vessels from the starting line to the boat dock in the quickest time possible.

"It isn't easy, and they've gotta come in at full speed ahead and tie up their boats within these pylons.  They've done it for quite some time, but the fastest time wins the prize money," said Hanulak.

Even though locals will still have plenty of chances to see the Chesapeake Cowboys compete on Sunday's throughout the summer, nothing quite compares to having the competition held at the new and improved Yacht Club along the Wicomico River.

"It's an opportunity for people to come down to eat in Maryland, and we're on the water.  We're turning into a destination spot down the Wicomico River," said Hanulak.

We're told the yacht club is close to meeting is maximum for memberships, and the decision for whether or not to raise that limit will be up to the club and board.  If they don't raise the max on memberships, we're told there will eventually be a waiting list.

The Chesapeake Cowboys have nine more competitions this summer, including in Pocomoke, Hurlock, Crisfield, and at Brew River in Salisbury.