Scenic Elm Grove Beach will be home to the Lake Elsinore Yacht Club. (Photo courtesy of City of Lake Elsinore)
The Lake Elsinore Yacht Club is coming to Elm Grove Beach this May, bringing a range of water recreation activities to the city’s south shoreline.
The yacht club will have activities such as sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, wakeboarding and community events. City officials say the yacht club will turn Elm Grove Beach into a more active area and will provide new opportunities for people to get out on the water.
“This is a game-changing investment in the future of Lake Elsinore,” said Mayor Bob Magee. “We are transforming the south end of the lake into a lively hub that will attract visitors, support local businesses, and create new experiences for our community.”
The yacht club is led by founder Daniel Penning, who previously helped organize Lake Elsinore’s first annual regatta in 2025. Penning said the idea for the yacht club came from spending time at the lake and noticing its potential.
“I noticed the beautiful winds in the afternoon, and that they kind of went to waste,” Penning said. “I barely saw any boats at the lake, and I realized that it’s the perfect place to go wakeboarding in the morning and sailing in the afternoon when the wind picks up.”
This realization led Penning and others to start testing different boats on the water and eventually approach the city with an idea.
“We started to talk to the city and said, ‘Hey, maybe we can use a part of the beach and organize some activities,’” he said. “And they were very receptive to that.”
Elm Grove Beach was chosen in part for safety. Penning said its location on the leeward side of the lake means wind and currents tend to push people back toward shore.
“If anything happens, you’re being pushed back up on the beach,” he said.
Once it opens, the yacht club will offer lessons, rentals and group activities. Penning said the goal is to make it accessible for everyone.
“Even if you can’t sail, we can help you get sailing,” he said.
Penning added that the yacht club is a community effort, supported by volunteers and local members helping organize events and activities.
“I’m just a small part in it,” he said. “There’s a whole lot of volunteers and other people helping out.”
City officials say the yacht club aligns with larger plans to make Lake Elsinore more of a destination for outdoor recreation and tourism, including the Dream Extreme 2040 plan and the city’s Action Sports Growth & Attraction Plan.
“We’re excited to partner with the City to bring sailing and a wide range of water activities to Lake Elsinore,” Penning said. “Our goal is to create a welcoming environment where families, youth, and first-time participants can experience the lake and build a stronger connection to the water.”
