The waters surrounding 麻豆社国产will be filled with sailboats, kiteboards and (hopefully) a lot of wind for the 2011 麻豆社国产Open Annual Regatta (SOAR).
For the first time in the history of the event, the sailing community has teamed up with kiteboarding enthusiasts for the weekend, in what could be the biggest SOAR event of all time.
"I think they took notice that we're finally getting organized out here," said Colin Ernst, the race director for the National Kiteboarding Championships, which were moved up to coincide with SOAR. "Scott Shaw-Maclaren of the 麻豆社国产Yacht Club (SYC) contacted us and we agreed to have a combined event and we're really honoured to be a part of SOAR. It's had a long legacy and has been around for years and I think it should help us establish credibility."
Ernst said it's a logical partnership and several other cities, including San Francisco, which is one of the world's hotspots for sailing and kiteboarding, have done the same.
"I think the big change for us is that it will be a bigger party," said Shawn Gosnell, SYC fleet captain. "The SOAR brand is well known in sailing circles in the Lower Mainland but it often doesn't have a big spectator draw. I think the Kiteboarding National Championships are something that can bring in the average non-sailor to the beach to see what both of our sports are all about."
The event kicks off on Friday (Aug. 5) with the inflow race from Porteau Cove to Squamish.
Weather permitting, the 麻豆社国产Windsports Society (SWS) will put on a slalom and freestyle kiteboarding event at Nexen Beach. However, if the wind is soft, it's likely they will move back to the 麻豆社国产Spit, which features more consistent winds. Once all the boats have arrived in Squamish, the SYC will put on the annual Adults Behaving Badly dinghy race. Participants take to the Blind Channel in training boats and battle in a round-robin elimination tournament for prizes. The day concludes with a party Friday evening at the Howe Sound Brew Pub.
The SYC will present the distance race to Defense Islands on Saturday (Aug. 6), followed by a video presentation of Friday's race at the club headquarters that evening. Meanwhile, the National Kiteboarding Championships will officially kick off on Saturday, with six to eight races planned. Ernst said some of the top kiteboarders in the world will be here to compete.
"We've got, I think, seven out of the top 10 guys in the world showing up," he said. "We've also got the current world champion Johnny Heineken and former champion Adam Koch. These are huge names in kiteboarding and these guys are both probably going to the Olympics."
The kiteboarding races will continue on Sunday (Aug. 7), with another six to eight races and more than $4,200 in prize money up for grabs. Sunday will also be the final day for SOAR, with boats taking part in the Hangover Race, which sees participants travel from 麻豆社国产back to Porteau Cove.
The event is free for spectators and Ernst said there will be several random draws for fans who come to check out the action in person. Pacific Brewing will give away a trip to the Bahamas in a draw. As well, a kiteboard and kiteboarding lessons will be raffled off to a lucky fan.
The best viewing areas are at Nexen Beach for yacht racing and at the 麻豆社国产Spit for Kiteboarding Course racing. The best viewing times will be at around 4:30 p.m. on Friday and about 11:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Kiteboarding races will happen all afternoon on Saturday and Sunday until 4 p.m.
For more information on SOAR and the SWS, visit www.squamishyachtclub.com and www.squamishwindsports.com.
