Silly Regatta Names: Bi-Sex Classic, Michigan (USA)
Asked about silly regatta names, Dawn Riley, the Executive Director at Oakcliff Sailing Center on Oyster Bay, Long Island, says, “Back when I was the commodore of the Michigan State Sailing Club we created a regatta and named it the Bi-Sex Classic. Social activities included a pig roast and a slip-and-slide set-up to go down the front lawn of the house where I lived with seven other sailors; that building was essentially the sailing fraternity house.”
“Collegiate sailing usually sends an A and a B team. Often, and even more so at that time, the skippers were male and the crew included 110lb. women. Our concept, due in part to the fact that I was a skipper (and with full disclosure have never weighed 110lb.), was that each team had to have at least two women on their team and one had to be a skipper. Simple, fun and for the times, pushing the limits.” www.dawnriley.com/creative-names-of-regattas/
No Fooling Around at the Screwpile Lighthouse Challenge, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland (USA)
It sounds kinda kinky, but the funny regatta names origin comes from a historical building—to honor the Drum Point Screwpile Lighthouse which originally stood at the entrance to the Patuxent River off the Chesapeake Bay.
Challenging sailors since 1993, participants see three to four races a day for both speedy boats and cruiser boats (to be held on separate courses). For 2017, the fun runs July 14 to 16 near Solomons Island, Maryland. Solid race action and get this—also a few parties. Regional sail publication SpinSheet once again steps up to host the Friday evening fete, and then Mount Gay takes charge Saturday to toss out stacks ‘o red hat collectables and offer tall pours. If that ain’t enough, Sunday has prize giving and a “last chance to use your drink tickets.” Thank you for the details L.G. Raley, Screwpile Lighthouse Chairman, www.screwpile.net/
Sippy Cup, Turkey Point, Maryland (USA) Silly Regatta Names
The tagline sounds intriguing and frisky for a funny regatta name: “A big race for little boats—come play in the dark!” so Renegade Sailing reached out to Facebook Women Who Sail group member Karen, especially after she said she’s planning to win the Big Gulp division. “I participated in 2016 with my husband and some of his Thursday night race buddies. I realized I could assemble a better crew, so I kicked my husband off the boat and rallied an all-ladies crew.” Karen’s game strategy: consume caffeine, howl at the almost-full-moon and ensure there’s rum punch and champagne for the celebration at the dock.
Since we’re already getting tangled in the sheets, we might as well find out if a negligee is sanctioned apparel, seeing that it’s an all-nighter. The moon phase forecast for the evening says waxing gibbous, so remember that any fore(deck) play may be visible to peers. Looks like this one is hosted by Walden Rigging. Were they hoisting beers when this got invented? www.waldenrigging.com/id8.html
Mt. Tam Run, Sail on San Fran—yes ma’am! Mount Tam Wham Bam, Northern California
Hey, we just report on things; we do not make up the names. Continuing to suggestively run with this theme, we give you a boat race combined with a hash. Just north of the Golden Gate Bridge in Northern California is the county of Marin, where Mount Tam is located. Marin is a land of prime real estate and prime sailing immediately at water’s edge within the San Francisco Bay. Why not pair up and wham bam with your mates in this part of the world? Thanks to Bay Area Multihull Association (BAMA) liaison Bob for being so suggestive. We’re trying to track down a URL for this affair.
Royal Escape Race, Sussex (UK)
This year marks the 40th annual Royal Great Escape race. Of all things, the host is the Sussex Yacht Club and sailors must last 67-miles (just shy of 69)—making this the second largest offshore race on the South Coast. Thank you Facebook Foredeck Union member Elisa, who says this was her favorite regatta when she lived in the UK. “The race celebrates the escape across the channel of Charles II in 1651 aboard the 34 ton coal brig Surprise. Being a man who held a party in high regard, we think he’d enjoy the spirit of camaraderie and laughter enjoyed by attendees of this historic event.”
A little tidbit about Charles II: upon his return from exile in 1660 and after he secured the English throne, Charles II commissioned a British-designed and built boat named Katherine in honor of his bride-to-be Catherine of Braganza. Soon thereafter a near identical lady, Anne, was commissioned by Charles’s brother James. That’s a winning pair of kings and queens with hands being kept in the family. www.royalescaperace.co.uk
This adds another flirtatious funny regatta names to our growing list of the most silly regatta names. Events like these are happening in every dark corner of the world. If you hear of one let us know—even if it turns out to be an only child. Missed part 1 of the silly regatta names list? View it here. Harden up and sail fast!
