The Canyon Lake Yacht Club is proud to recognize Dave Colomy as our Second Quarter Deckhand of the Quarter.

Dave is one of those members who jumped into the Yacht Club with both feet. Whether he is volunteering, helping at an event, or simply spending time with other members, he brings an easygoing attitude, a great sense of humor, and a willingness to pitch in wherever he is needed.

Growing Up and a Love for the Water

Dave grew up in the Ontario/Chino area of Southern California and graduated from Chino High School in 1986. Some of his favorite childhood memories are freshwater fishing trips with his dad, or “Pops,” as Dave fondly remembers him.

Those fishing trips stayed with him throughout his life. One of his most memorable was also his last trip with his father, when the two of them spent about a week together fishing while Dave was already in his 40s.

Despite spending roughly 25 years living less than a mile from the ocean in Ventura, Dave admits he rarely took full advantage of it. He grew up fishing freshwater and always felt more at home around lakes. He eventually got into kayaking, usually staying inside Channel Islands Harbor.

That makes Canyon Lake a pretty natural fit.

Finding Canyon Lake

Dave had heard about Canyon Lake years ago through family and friends, but family ultimately brought him here.

His aunt and uncle live in Canyon Lake, along with other family connections to the community. After Dave’s mother passed away in 2023, he spent time visiting her sisters and eventually returned to Canyon Lake.

The more time he spent here, the more he realized this might be exactly where he belonged.

Dave purchased his Canyon Lake home in early 2025 and moved in that April. After years of living in Ventura, he suddenly found himself retired, close to the lake, and surrounded by opportunities to enjoy the water.

As Dave put it, he had gone from living near the ocean but rarely using it to living somewhere where the water was truly part of everyday life.

A Career in the Trades

Dave spent 27 years working in the sheet metal trade, including approximately 22 years as a union sheet metal worker.

Throughout his career, Dave attended various trade and union schools and training programs to continue developing the technical skills needed for his profession.

It was a career built around hard work, craftsmanship, technical knowledge, and years of hands-on experience. After reaching a point where retirement became possible, Dave made the decision to step away from the trade and begin the next chapter of his life here in Canyon Lake.

Retirement, however, certainly hasn’t meant sitting still.

Dave enjoys staying busy and volunteering, although he is careful not to overcommit himself. When asked what other clubs or organizations he belongs to, his answer was simple:

“Just the Yacht Club.”

For Dave, joining CLYC was an easy decision. The activities, time on the water, friendships, and volunteer opportunities were exactly what he was looking for.

Life Away From the Yacht Club

Dave enjoys cooking and picked up quite a few skills during the years he lived in Ventura and Oxnard. He learned to prepare a variety of Mexican dishes and even makes his own homemade tortillas.

His former wife’s family had deep roots in the Oxnard area, and Dave remembers being part of large family gatherings where making dozens upon dozens of tamales around Christmastime was simply part of the tradition.

Today, Dave also enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, who lives in Pomona.

When it comes to hobbies, anything involving the water is usually a good bet. Kayaking remains one of his favorites, along with fishing and simply being outdoors.

Travel memories include childhood trips to the Grand Canyon and Hawaii. One especially memorable trip came when Dave was about 10 years old and visited Pearl Harbor with his mother. That same summer, he had to complete an American history report, so he returned home with photographs he had taken himself at Pearl Harbor. Dave jokes that it was one of the few school projects he ever completely aced.

His brother now lives on Kauai, giving Dave another good reason to make it back to Hawaii someday. 

Dave’s Motto

Ask Dave for a motto he lives by, and the answer comes quickly:

“If you can’t giddy up, giddy off.”

It fits him pretty well.

Dave appreciates people who participate, help out, enjoy themselves, and make the most of whatever they are doing.

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The Sailor Six

How long have you lived in Canyon Lake?
About a year and a half.

How long have you been a Canyon Lake Yacht Club member?
Dave joined CLYC around February 2026.

If you were stranded on an island, where would it be?
“Gilligan’s Island.” And Dave jokingly added that Marianne and Ginger would certainly be welcome.

Which Yacht Club event do you look forward to the most?
Even though he hasn’t experienced a full year of CLYC events yet, Pirates & Wenches is currently at the top of his list. He also loves dressing up, so he has high expectations for the Yacht Club’s Halloween events.

What is your favorite water activity?
Kayaking.

Does your kayak have a name?
Not officially, but Dave already has the perfect one picked out.

His truck’s license plate is “Higher Ride.” His Corvette is “Lower Ride.”

Naturally, his kayak would have to be:

“Water Ride.”

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Thank You, Dave

Dave represents exactly what makes the Canyon Lake Yacht Club special: members who show up, lend a hand, enjoy the friendships, and help make our events successful.

Dave, thank you for volunteering your time, sharing plenty of laughs, and becoming such an active part of CLYC in such a short period of time.

Congratulations to Dave Colomy, our Second Quarter Deckhand of the Quarter! ⚓