by Jesse Falsone
I am happy to announce that for the first time in its 60+ year history, Severn Sailing Association (www.severnsailing.org) will be running a windsurfing event over Memorial Weekend (May 25-26). For those who aren’t familiar, SSA is a small boat racing club located in Eastport at the mouth of Spa Creek. We have approximately 400 members and over a dozen one-design classes. We routinely run regional, national, and international events. This is a club run by sailors for sailors. BABA members have participated in initial planning and will be assisting with certain aspects of the event.
While regatta plans are still taking shape, expect that we will have multiple long board classes (Kona, Windsurfer LT, race boards). The regatta is about fun and competition, but mostly fun! Depending on wind, there may also be the opportunity to run a slalom event.
Memorial Weekend was chosen because (1) Windsurfers are not a sanctioned class at SSA and we didn’t have many options, (2) Windsurfers will be the only group using the club that weekend which is unusual, (3) local windsurfers wanted a date earlier in the season when there is a better chance for wind. Is there more boat traffic on Memorial Weekend? Yes, but look at it this way – more opportunity for folks to see that windsurfing is still alive and well.
If this sounds like fun, please mark the date on your calendars and plan to attend! Don’t have a long board? We are working on charters. Worried about safety? SSA will have multiple support boats on the water, including RIBs. Is there a party? Absolutely! Know someone who used to windsurf? Tell them about the event. Who am I? A guy who grew up windsurfing in the 80’s and jumped back in last year. I have run numerous national and international events. I want to help #makewindsurfinggreatagain.
More details to follow in the Notice of Race in the coming weeks.
