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ver 40 Optimists and Sunfish sailboats, the largest fleet in memory, took to the waters of Oriental to participate in Saturday’s Croaker Regatta. The Sunfish Fleet A sailed on the Neuse River off Lou Mac Park. Less experienced and younger sailors, sailing in the Sunfish Fleet B and Optimist Dinghy division, sailed the protected waters of Greens Creek.

Out on the river, the Sunfish Fleet A encountered steady 10 to 12 knot breeze and a light chop.

Crossing tacks before the start

Hiked out

The anchored Oriental Dinghy Club committee boat surrounded by regatta participants

Rounding the mark

The view from atop the Oriental bridge.

Brisk on-course conditions let sailors plane their vessels – with mixed results.

Down wind run: a racer heads down wind with her Sunfish’s centerboard raised to reduce drag.

Heading back to town.

While the breezy conditions proved perfect from some competitors, for others, they proved overwhelming. The occasional inverted hull proved it was a day when a heftier crew would have an advantage. In all cases, the capsized craft were quickly righted and resumed the race.

Knocked down by a gust

Spectators follow the regatta from the Lou-Mac Pier.

Sunfish “Black Pearl” moments before sailing under the Oriental bridge.

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While brisk conditions ruled the Neuse River, the sailing was calmer on Greens Creek. Here, on the sheltered water upstream from the Oriental bridge, younger sailors gained confidence and experience – along with suffering the occasional capsize.

Running down the creek

Thinking

And the flag is up….! The Silo Restaurant Optimist makes a final tack before the yellow flag drops, starting one of the three races sailors competed in.

Close pursuit (Paul Jester photo)

Hard on the wind: a Sunfish skipper drives her vessel to weather.

Capsized: 11-year old Juliet Caffrey of Berkeley Heights, NJ successfully righting her capsized Sunfish. According to her father, Matthew Caffrey, Juliet and her sister Genevieve insisted on returning to Oriental for the sailing camp this year.

Watching: Matthew and Lee Anne Caffrey watch the race from the bridge with their cousin, Madison Scott, and Oriental residents and long-time sailors Art and Elise Tierney.

Pull! One rule of thumb holds that 110 pounds of weight is needed to right a Sunfish – so friends come in handy. (Jim Edwards photo)

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This year nearby Camps Sea Gull and Seafarer participated by sending 10 Sunfish sailboats, 9 campers and 3 counselors. The boats were towed to Oriental by motor launch where they were rigged for racing. While the camps have their own racing program, camp staff noted racing in Oriental was good for campers because it gave them “real world” racing experience. They also said they would look forward to participating in other races before camp closes for the season.

Mathew Hubbard with Sunfish in tow

Ten Sunfish waiting

This year’s regatta was organized by Paul Jester. Assisting Paul on race day were numerous volunteers including folks from the Oriental Dinghy Club and Jim Edwards of Bow to Stern Youth Sailing Camp. Jim says the regatta had “one of the largest turnouts in a long, long time”. Awards, including water bottles donated by Triton Yachts, were presented to competitors following the race.

Trevor Bonarth took the blue ribbon in the Optimist Dinghy division by winning all three races.

Billy Larson, third place winner in the Optimist Dinghy division

Proud Optimist sailor

Zach Bruno, overall Sunfish B fleet winner.

Ben Bruno displaying his third place finish in Sunfish B fleet.

Sunfish A Fleet winner Rob Eberle shakes Paul Welles’ hand. This year Paul took a break from organizing the Croaker Regatta, allowing him to race in it. He placed 4th overall out of the 20 starters.

George Sechrist shows off his prizes – a second place ribbon in the Sunfish A fleet and a water bottle.

Race Results

Optimist Dinghy
1. Trevor Bonarth
2. Katie Bonarth
3. Billy Larson
4. Joye Tracey
4. Caroline James
6. Emma James/Kayla Alzauer

Sunfish B
1. Zach Bruno
2. Katie Van Der Eerden
3. Ben Bruno
4. Genevieve Caffrey
5. Kayla Young
6. Skye Tracey
7. Sara Corley
8. Julliete Caffrey

Sunfish A Fleet
1. Rob Eberle
2. George Sechrist
3. Justin Lewandowski
4. Paul Welles
5. Zak Matthews
6. Ted Odell
7. Stewart Long
8. Sterling Sipp/Sarah Parker
9. John Sipp
10. Sophie Lovett/Harper Robinson
11. Emma Wheeler
12. Larry Mass
13. Matthew Hubbard
14. Kevin McNamara
15. White Yellow
16. Henry Wallace/K.B. Ali
17. Jim Zatiradka
18. Elizabeth Sligh/Ausin Wallace
19. Cal Pearce
20. Tim Poole Jr

Related Links:

• Triton Yachts
Triton Yacht Sales is the area dealer for Sunfish, Laser and Optimist sailboats.

Posted Monday July 5, 2010 by Bernie Harberts