The first Lasqueti Island Regatta organized by Schooner Cove Yacht Club (SCYC) was held in 2013. Prior to this, the annual SCYC regatta was known as ‘Race Around the Rocks’ with the first trophy awarded in 1986.
The yacht club wanted to try a longer, all-day event which would attract both large and small boats, rather than the shorter, inshore ‘Race Around the Rocks’ event. And so, following a trial with both a Lasqueti race and ‘Race Around the Rocks’ in 2012, the Lasqueti Island Regatta was born in 2013.
With the generous sponsorship by BMW Nanaimo beginning in 2014, the regatta became known as the BMW Lasqueti Island Regatta in 2017.
Since 2013, the regatta has been held every year except 2020 and 2021. Due to COVID-19, the 2020 event was cancelled, the 2021 event was scaled down and was known as the “Lasqueti Lite” race, returning to a full regatta in 2022.
Sailboats participating in the regatta are divided into divisions based on their PHRF handicap rating and prizes are awarded to the winners of each division. The first boat to finish receives “line honors” and is awarded the Fairwinds Trophy.
The regatta generally attracts approximately 35 sailboats from various yacht clubs throughout Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. It is recognized by the BC and Pacific Northwest sailing communities as part of the annual keelboat racing calendar. The regatta features social events at Fairwinds Marina at Schooner Cove, Nanoose Bay. The kick-off event is often attended by 200+ racers and SCYC non-racing members.
The regatta offers Nanoose residents and non-racers many vantage points on the Nanoose Peninsula to see the start of the race: at Schooner Cove as well as Oak Leaf and Moorecroft Parks.
We would like to acknowledge that we are grateful to be here today on the traditional territory of the Snaw Naw’As First Nation sailing the Salish Sea
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