1st female commodore

The Lido Island Yacht Club is all about tradition.

From the club’s exclusivity — only members’ children and island residents are eligible to join — to seating arrangements at club functions, four generations’ worth of ceremonies and sailing remain a source of pride for club members and the island.

On Saturday, when more than 25 former commodores will be seated behind the group’s new leader to open up the sailing season, one thing will be distinctly non-traditional.

They’re being led by a female commodore for the first time in the club’s 81-year history.

Mary Cappellini, a club member for nine years and lifelong sailor who grew up in Newport-Mesa, will announce the beginning of the summer sailing season as the first female commodore.

“I’ve had a lot of women really thrilled and really pleased, and the men have been just as nice as well,” Cappellini said. “It shows we’re going into new times and still honoring the history of the club.”

Cappellini grew up in Costa Mesa and graduated from Estancia High School. Since childhood, sailing in Newport Beach has been a part of her life.

Cappellini started her journey toward the commodore seat five years ago when she was named director. From there, she moved into the rear commodore seat and eventually to her new position.

As commodore, Cappellini oversees all club activities. Many people, including women, have been approached with the job before and have passed on it, members said. Commodores at the Lido Island Yacht Club do not get paid.

“No one before has been willing to take on the responsibility and the time,” said staff commodore Steve Sutherlen. He said Cappellini’s new role, which she officially assumed in December, shows times are changing.

“It’s 2008 now, and the kind of barriers people assumed in society like in a yacht club just don’t fit anymore. It’s refreshing,” Sutherlen said. “Once you break the ice then it’s not such an unusual thing anymore.”

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at [email protected].