The Key Biscayne Yacht Club’s history has always been intertwined with the sea, but in the 1990s, that connection took on a distinguished naval dimension. We invite you to explore our permanent collection on display, which honors the USCGC Key Biscayne, an Island-class patrol boat that carried our island’s name across the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico for nearly a quarter-century. The beautiful painting on your right serves as a vibrant rendition of the cutter in its eleme

Every great institution has a milestone that marks its growth from a volunteer effort to a professional community. For the Key Biscayne Yacht Club, that milestone arrived on August 31, 1957, with the hiring of Norman Riddle. While our founding members had spent the previous two years doing the heavy lifting to establish the club, Norman became our first staff member. A former Navy petty officer and World War II veteran, Norman brought the discipline and spirit of the sea to h

To understand the heart of the Key Biscayne Yacht Club, one must look to those who have walked our docks and graced our halls for decades. Past Seabelle Captain Ann Taintor is one of those essential keepers of our flame. Ann’s legacy at the Club began in 1969 alongside her late husband, Past Commodore James Taintor. For over half a century, she has not only witnessed our history but has been instrumental in documenting it. A veteran of our editorial past, Ann was a key contri

Vickie Gaston, Past Club Secretary and Past Seabelle Captain, is the curator of our visual legacy. Building upon the foundations of our 25th and 50th Anniversary books, Vickie is currently standardizing the format for our upcoming 75th Anniversary issue. This image-rich design is an important milestone; for it will serve as the permanent template for the Club’s next grand publication: our Centennial in 2055. To ensure our story is complete, Vickie is continuing the vital effo

As we look toward our future, we must ensure the voices that built our foundation are never lost. Past Commodore Rosemary Sala-Rifkin, of the 63rd Watch and Vice-Chair of the History Committee, is leading the vital charge to capture the "living history" of the Key Biscayne Yacht Club. Rosemary’s connection to our Club is deeply personal. As the daughter of the late Past Commodore Juan Sala of the 46th Watch, she  possesses a profound understanding of the stories, traditions,

Nora Camejo, a dedicated member of our History Committee, has captured this 71-year journey by developing a comprehensive timeline that charts our evolution into the award-winning institution we are today. Her work highlights the pivotal milestones that earned us our designation as a 5-star private Club within the prestigious Platinum Clubs of America, and the 2024 Distinguished Club award by Boardroom Magazine in partnership with Forbes Travel Guide. By synthesizing archives