LAKEWOOD’S 30th SHOE REGATTA SLATED FOR MAY 19-20

Lakewood Yacht Club’s Race Committee Chairman Gerhard Wittich has announced that the 30th Annual Shoe Regatta will be held over the weekend of May 19-20. In 1982 Lakewood hosted the first Shoe Regatta which was originally sponsored by Foley’s Department Store and Sperry Top-Sider Shoes. Bay Access, a not-for-profit organization that supports amateur racing, is the organizing authority of the race. Sponsors include Mount Gay Rum and West Marine.

The Regatta, which is open to the public, is a favorite among local racers because, in the past, each crew member of the winning boat in each class was awarded a certificate for a pair of Sperry deck shoes; hence the name of the Regatta.

The Shoe Regatta is for one-design, handicapped, and cruising sailboats over 20 feet in length and with a cabin. There will be three race courses set on Galveston Bay: a windward/leeward course for the One Design classes; a windward/leeward course for handicap rated boats; and a third triangular course to provide a long race for handicap rated spinnaker and non-spinnaker boats. PHRF Certificates are not required for Cruisers.

The Skippers Meeting will be held on Fri., May 18, 7:30 pm in the ballroom of Lakewood Yacht Club, 2425 NASA Parkway, Seabrook, TX. “We urge all skippers to attend this important gathering so that they can take full advantage of all aspects of this weekend regatta,” related Wittich.

The Saturday evening party will feature music by Jeff Lopez’s “Cross Roads” and a dinner of Chicken Fried Steak. The Awards Ceremony will follow the last race on Sun., May 20, and will be held in the ballroom of Lakewood Yacht Club.

Participants can register on line at www.lakewoodyachtclub.com. For questions, please contact Lakewood Yacht Club at lyc@lakewoodyachtclub.com or call the office at 281-474-2511.