Ya Gotta Regatta Celebrates the Season and Honors DSC’s Founding Director
The Downtown Sailing Center (DSC) will host the 24th Annual Ya Gotta Regatta (YGR) on Saturday, September 26, bringing together racers, cruisers, adaptive sailors, Young Mariners, camp families, instructors, and volunteers for a full day of racing and community celebration on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, followed by an afterparty at the Baltimore Museum of Industry (BMI) parking lot pavilion.
Now in its 24th year, Ya Gotta Regatta is more than a day of racing; it is DSC’s signature annual event, showcasing the people and programs that make the organization one of the region’s leading centers for accessible, inclusive sailing. This year’s regatta carries special significance as DSC honors the memory of George “Kirk” Culbertson, the organization’s first executive director and creator of the inaugural Ya Gotta Regatta. Culbertson’s vision that sailing should be available to everyone helped shape the programs, traditions, and values that define DSC today.
“Everyone belongs. Everyone is welcome,” said DSC of this year’s theme. “Come sail with us. Celebrate with us. Support the programs that make it all possible.”
The Ya Gotta Regatta 2026 features racing across multiple fleets and skill levels: adaptive racing aboard Hansa 303W and Sonar 23, J/22 One-Design, and a PHRF Pursuit Race. Volunteers are needed both on and off the water, with roles available for all experience levels.
This year’s Ya Gotta Regatta carries a fundraising goal of $200,000 to support DSC’s adaptive sailing, youth scholarship, workforce development, and community engagement programs, as well as critical waterfront improvements. Supporters can get involved by making a direct gift, joining or starting a fundraising team, becoming an event sponsor, or making a tax-wise gift through appreciated securities, a donor-advised fund (DAF), an IRA qualified charitable distribution (QCD), or planned giving.
Sponsorship packages from $500 to $10,000 are also available.
Sponsorship dollars raised through this year’s event will help fund two key accessibility upgrades: an accessible washroom trailer to replace DSC’s existing facilities and improvements to the organization’s waterfront storage and education space.
DSC’s impact over the past year underscores the stakes of this year’s campaign. In 2025, more than 180 people with disabilities sailed with the organization. Volunteers logged more than 840 hours supporting adaptive and accessible programming, and 387 community members were introduced to sailing through outreach programs. Sixty percent of DSC members volunteered their time to the organization.
Following the race, the community will gather for the Ya Gotta Regatta Afterparty, held from 4 to 7 p.m. under the pavilion in the BMI parking lot (1425 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD 21203). The celebration is open to racers, volunteers, and supporters, and will feature live music from a local band, catered dinner from Mother’s Cantina, appetizers, dessert, and a cash bar. Purchase your meal tickets ($30 per person) in advance, as a limited number will be available on the day of the event.
The Downtown Sailing Center is an award-winning, accessible, and inclusive community sailing center and sailing school located on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Through adaptive sailing, youth programs, workforce development, community outreach, and a full slate of racing, cruising, and educational offerings, DSC works to ensure that sailing is available to everyone, regardless of ability, background, or experience.
Find details at downtownsailing.org/ygr.
