About fifteen boats showed up today for the Doc Fellows Regatta, the first official NEIYA regatta in two years. We had three teens offering hope for the future of the sport. The plate on Damariscotta lake could safely be a grade 8.75, and with the light winds it didn’t take much to get going. Jeff Kent showed us what was possible again and again. We had three black flag races and one completed two lapper, so the regatta will not enter the books this time.

Nonetheless, there were smiles and joy all around, some skippers getting out for the first time this season. The best racing was at the end of the day, as the sun was going down and the wind coming up. Five boats who were reluctant to go back to the pits, luxuriating in the ice, blue sky and good company, began to run laps around two buoys. Round and round they went, hiking, masts bent, pushing hard, all that pent up competitive aggression hidden behind pleasantries all day coming out.

Thanks so much to Camp Wavus for sharing their access with us. This is the best plate on the lake and launching from Wavus was our only option and was excellent. They also host our web cam, showing the view to the northeast across the north broads.

Forecast shows snow changing to rain and then more ice. Take a day to sharpen runners, fix stuff and be ready for the next round. Winnie shows great promise. And lastly, great thanks to all the skippers who showed up, many from far away, in spite of the questionable forecast. It’s that kind of dedication that keeps the sport alive.