First Ever Nags Head Regatta

Last weekend was our first ever regatta at Kitty Hawk Water Sports and although the turnout was small everybody had good fun. The racers were mostly locals except for the Marines who came in to pick up a new purchase and what better way to give it a shake down cruise than at our regatta.

On Saturday the weather held off and we got in 6 races on the triangular course. Afterwards, we had a great social at Pamlico Jack’s just a block away. If you get the chance to go there they have a great deck bar overlooking the sound.

Sunday morning we woke up to clouds and cool weather. After much debating we decided on a mid-distance race across the sound. The winds were great, around 12 mph, and we were zipping across the water.

Chip Forbes won the regatta on a Hobie 16 with Chris Matthews coming in second on a Getaway. It should be noted that anyone scared to race should take a lesson from Wikey. Who, at 70 years old, capsized both days and each time got back on the boat and kept racing.

During the regatta I ran in to some BABA members who were on their way to Hatteras Island for a week of windsurfing. After talking with them I decided to hold a windsurfing regatta next year on Columbus Weekend. It should be a great time to attract racers from BABA and WET since they are in the neighborhood. Plus, it’s a good time for wind. In addition, I’ll switch the sailing regatta to a weekend in September where there will be more people to participate.

As an aside, we are shutting down the operation for the season except for windsurfing. We are going to try to attract the windsurfers who normally head down to Hatteras Island this time of year so I want to make ourselves more available.