I'll be heading to Shell Point at the end of April for the regatta (getting back on that raceboard horse!). This is a super chill weekend with the emphasis on all things not racing– Classes include: Leisure, Party Animal, Beer Truck, Bonfire Watching, Dancing on the Beach, Telling of Lies and others TBD... yep, it's pretty fun alright! Wind there is fairly reliable, usually with an afternoon sea breeze. Debi loves going too. She re-learns to windsurf every year, sails in the Beginner's fleet and gives the Dancing on the Beach thing her best shot. There will be Windsurfer™ LT charters on site for the regatta curious... or those who just want to focus their energies on the aforementioned classes.
We've stayed up the road at a motel, and once at the historic Wakulla Springs Lodge where Creature from the Black Lagoon was filmed. Pretty cool. Or you can camp right at the race site (very convenient for Party Animal / Beer Truck entrants).
There is also an online auction (live now) with the finale Sunday, 4/30, at the event site. Get some bargains* on windsurfing gear and lots of other miscellany. You can also donate auction items via the link. (Space available, I can take donations with me). 100% of proceeds from the auction and net from entry fees benefit the American Cancer Society. As "good causes" go, this one is special. Benefits go to needy patients and their families in the big bend area.
* More info and photos coming for the sails listed on the auction site, but I know these are well cared for and very low mileage. Score a deal & do some good!
Our sister club In Tallahassee: https://www.spsc20knotsnob.com/sailing
Auction: http://www.smithregatta.com/auction/auction_silent.cfm
1. Sunrise at Shell Point
2. Light wind race, beach start
3. The Shell Point Club (note the undies on the flag pole– Party Animal Runner Up)?
4. The venue
5. Debi Baber, Queen of the Waves, demonstrates half of her very impressive wingspan
zzholt
webguy
The Shell Point Club has a surprising number of very talented musicians coming together this Saturday, 3/25, for their annual Wind Ceremony on the beach. Swami and the Festoons! Write your windwish on a stick for the bonfire.
Speaking of Creatures from the Black Lagoon (Swami is also their T-shirt artist).
webguy
The Lodge at Wakulla Springs, built in 1937. We recommend the Jungle Cruise at the springs also! Really!
rgenet
I got a message from Bob Graves:
"If you know any folks up there interested in sailing LT, we have a really good fleet shaping up down here with 9 that I know of right now, including some really good sailors like Mark, Cody, Steve Campbell, and a friend of Marks.
Hopefully some of the guys might be interested. The yacht club is allowing people to tent camp on their property and use their showers and facilities during that weekend."
Early registration is open now (saves $10). Update from Bob:
"This is in case anyone coming from Atlanta wants to register early:
http://www.smithregatta.com/SCSMRregistration/index.cfm
Currently, we have 10 people for LT, and 7 for Unlimited. We could use a few more folks for Longboard Limited (7.5) and Sport (still learning 7.5 limit). Always room for novices and Cody has LTs for charter. No Kona fleet."