On Saturday, August 15, Sail Georgian Bay sailing school, located at Meaford’s Harbour, hosted its annual Ironside Youth Regatta, with sailors from Meaford, Collingwood, and for the first time, Wiarton. Two classes of dinghy sail boats were raced: C420s and RS Zests.
Named for SGB’s founder, Rhoda Ironside, the Ironside Youth Regatta was created as an introduction to regatta structure and racing for young sailors, and to foster a sense of community among sailors in the region. Saturday’s event was lively, fun, and served as a friendly racing and social event, with many local spectators watching from the harbour pier.
In the C420 class, Adam Bogobowicz and Xavier Desormeaux of Sail Georgian Bay won first place. Owen Maish and Timothy Shyrnin of Sail Georgian Bay won second place, and Wynn Green and Grady Green of Collingwood Sailing Academy won third place.
In the RS Zest class, Lukas Hall of Wiarton’s Brakewinders Sailing Club won first place. Owen Gils of Sail Georgian Bay won second place and Veniamin Mendanov of Sail Georgian Bay won third place.
“Congratulations to all of the sailors; it was an awesome day of racing on Georgian Bay!” said sailing school organizers. “Sail Georgian Bay is a not-for-profit organization and is very grateful for the help and dedication of its volunteers, coaches, sailors, and their families, who made the regatta so special. SGB is also thankful to Collingwood Sailing Academy and Brakewinders Sailing Club for travelling to Meaford to attend the Ironside Regatta. SGB greatly appreciates generous support from the Municipality of Meaford, Cliff Richardson Boats, Gyles Marine, Reef Boat Club, Georgian Bay Regatta, Thornbury Yacht Club, Connect the Dots, Subway, and others.”
Summer is coming to a close, and Sail Georgian Bay’s summer sailing program will end soon. Sail Georgian Bay teaches adults as well, and you may want to consider joining this local learn-to-sail program next year, if you feel the wind and waves of Georgian Bay calling you.
