The 44th annual Summerset Regatta is due to set sail the weekend of Oct. 3 and 4, and for the first time in its entire history, all events encompassed within the races will be held on Fort Myers Beach. This is also the first year the race is not running Labor Day weekend. If interested in competing, it’s not too late to sign up. Read on for further details of how to register and what events are taking place when. Photo by VANDY MAJOR.

For the first time in its 44 years of history, all of the events for the annual Summerset Regatta will be taking place on Fort Myers Beach, due to set sail Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3 and 4.

“We are so enthused to hold the regatta on Fort Myers Beach this year,” said Steve Romaine, vice-commodore of the local Caloosa Marching Chowder Society (CMCS) sailing organization, organizing authority of the regatta. “This is the first time in history that all events will be held at Fort Myers Beach, with Pink Shell being the headquarters for most of the events.”

As the regatta is taking place at a more centrally-located location, sailors from all around Southwest Florida have been diving in to become a part of the action.

“Being at the beach, many participants are also coming to race from as far as Charlotte Harbor, which is great, because we usually sail to Naples, which is too far for them,” Steve said. “But since we’re sailing from Fort Myers Beach, we’ll have more participation.

“We are also enthused that the regatta is being held in October, instead of traditionally over Labor Day weekend, being that there should be better wind for sailors, and we’re moving away from hurricane season.”

Participants are still being sought to compete in the race and it’s not too late to join.

“The last day for entries in the regatta is Thursday, Oct. 1, prior to the Skipper’s meeting,” Steve said.

As there will be several prizes and giveaways during the many activities and functions before and after the regatta, the vice-commodore mentioned how kind and generous the Fort Myers Beach community has been with sponsoring the race and offering donations.

“Preparations have been moving along marvelously,” Steve said. “Sponsors and local businesses alike have been extremely cooperative for our regatta both with cash contributions and with door prizes and raffle items. Thank you so much.”

The races

The schedule for the 44th annual Summerset Regatta will go a little something like this:

Sailing race: Saturday (buoy racing)

Distance race: Sunday

Friday night will be a Skipper’s meeting for those competing, at Bonita Bill’s private lounge, 7 p.m.

Saturday, buoy racing will begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by the poolside cocktail party with hors dourves and door prizes at Coconuts in the Pink Shell Resort at 6 p.m. (cash bar, complimentary beer).

Sunday, distance racing will begin at 9:30 a.m., and the banquet and awards ceremony will be held at the Pink Shell Resort’s Captiva Ballroom at 6:30 p.m.

To compete in the race, an entry form is available for viewing and printing on the CMCS website. Anyone interested in sailing and becoming a crew member in the regatta should look up the “notice to race,” CMCS-Sail.org.

To compete, the cost is $80 for racers, $40 for cruisers (non-competing vessels).

If still interested in sponsoring a part of the regatta, Thursday, Sept. 10 is the deadline for cash contributions, which include a business name and logo on the sponsor T-shirts.

If interested, call Vice Commodore Steve Romaine at 482-6280 or email sromaine294@yahoo.com.