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by Susan Buckley
Our kids were vibrating with butterflies in their stomachs, and a slight fear about their ability to perform and compete at Family Regatta in front of a crowd of over 100 people!
It was another glorious and hot summer weekend. The water was warm and the wind not so daunting as the families arrived at Family Regatta on Saturday in all sorts of vessels, many towing canoes.
I’m sure that it was the same on many islands. While parents prepared snacks, packing nutritious foods for their athletes, the kids traded stories about what they remembered about last year’s regatta. It was already time to do it all again. They were ready.
Once again, the set up on Chocktaw Island in Bayfield Inlet was perfect. Tables displaying the trophies gleamed in the sunlight and the registration table was peopled with friendly volunteers who took the participants names and wished them luck.
Sitting on shore watching the families come in from all directions made the whole day feel real. The people were ready.
Photos by Morgan Smith
There was a good flow as the events were announced drawing in the eager and the nervous. The competition was on! We all cheered for our individual family members and everyone else who was participating.
Notably, the jousting has become a very popular event. This year they included a 13 and under category which garnered great participation.
It was a long and full afternoon, with the awards being handed out at 4 pm. We came away with a real sense of having shared a marvelous day, in which it was hoped, all felt accomplished because they tried, and laughed at each other and at themselves.
A big thank you to this year’s volunteers and especially the new Family Regatta organizers, the Hansuld family. Great job — you were helpful, flexible and supportive. And now, we wait for next summer!
Overall winners Heidi Buckley (left) and Desmond Lynam
Category • Winner
Trophy • Winner
by Kathleen Kidd
We couldn’t have written a description for a more perfect day for the Paddling Regatta — sunny and calm on Saturday morning in Nares Inlet.
That’s probably why we had almost 40 craft participate! That’s more than twice as many as last year, and possibly our largest ever. With perfect conditions, the race was also one of the fastest.
Kayaking appears to be the main paddling focus these days. Most of the canoes in the race contained more than two paddlers and some aslo included dogs and babies. It’s so great to see entire families participating! We also had a large contingent of wave kayakers and paddle boarders.
Thanks to the Ash family for hosting the event and providing water for the participants. Volunteers this year included John McMullen, Tim Ash, Anne Stewart, Alex Kidd and Cassie Smardenka. Thanks to all who made it a day for the ages.
Anne Stewart photos
by Angie Ursel
After many hot and still cottage days, wind finally arrived in Nares Inlet just in time for the Sailing Regatta on Aug. 4. We divided the 12 boats into two classes this year: windsurfers/prams, and Lasers/catamarans.
First Category (four prams and two windsurfers)
Second Category (five Lasers and one catamaran)
This year the Morris Trophy drew from the prams and windsurfers. Harvey and Wesley Cornish were the winners. The Patrick Thompson Trophy for promising young sailors was awarded to Kyle and Ada Lafrance.
This year’s turnout was encouraging with lots of children and their enthusiastic parents and grandparents, hopeful to pass on the love of sailing in Bayfield and Nares. Thanks to all for another great afternoon of sailing and catching up!
Julie Ursel photos