The Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race (GCBSR), October 13-19, is a friendly competition that takes majestic schooners and traditional vessels from Baltimore to Portsmouth, VA, approximately 120 miles down the Chesapeake Bay. The race highlights the role that schooners have played in the economic and cultural history of the Bay, but it also encompasses an entire week of activities that focus on education and environmental awareness.
Patrick Smith, a member of the GCBSR board of directors and the brand and vessel relations manager at Pride of Baltimore, says, “From my perspective the GCBSR is a sure sign of fall on the Chesapeake Bay. Along with the usual fleet, this year we have two schooners, Pride II and Denis Sullivan racing with young adults from the Alexandria Seaport Foundation onboard, and Lady Maryland will race with Baltimore City high school students. This all follows another successful virtual race that raised more than $66,000 for Chesapeake Bay nonprofit organizations whose mission aligns with that of the schooner race. We are proud to be producing this incredible annual event.”
The 2026 educational grant recipients are Alexandria Seaport Foundation, the Downton Sailing Center in Baltimore, the National Maritime Heritage Foundation/DC Sail, Norfolk Youth Sailing Association, Pride of Baltimore, Seafarer’s Foundation (the charitable arm of the Seafarers Yacht Club), Special Olympics Sailing Team of Hampton Roads, VA, and the Waterman’s Museum in Yorktown, VA.
The GCBSR also plans to sponsor 11 education sails aboard schooners this year. These are typically two-hour sails with 25-50 students aboard. “It’s a great way for us to support the local community and school system as well as support the education programs aboard the schooners. This year we will have 300 students aboard for educational sails,” says GCBSR treasurer Keith Jones, who adds, “It’s a new record, and we’re pretty excited about it.”
Race and Festivities
- The week kicks off on Tuesday, October 13, with dockside schooner viewing available from noon to 7 p.m. at Anchorage Marina in Baltimore.
- Viewing continues Wednesday, October 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. On this day, students from neighborhood schools will board selected vessels for a special expeditionary learning experience.
- Wednesday evening, the public is invited to watch the Parade of Sail at 5 p.m. The best viewing locations will be from the Canton, Fells Point, Harbor East, and Inner Harbor shorelines.
- On Thursday, October 15, the race will begin at noon, just south of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge near Annapolis. One end of the starting line will be marked by the historic Chesapeake Bay buyboat, Nellie Crockett. Most vessels are expected to arrive in Portsmouth, VA, on Friday.
- In Norfolk, on Saturday, October 16, schooners may be viewed dockside at Freemason Harbor at the Pagoda from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Some vessels may be open for tours.
The GCBSR is a nonprofit organization. Its team works year-round to fulfill its mission to foster stewardship and build community through traditional vessel racing and education on the Chesapeake Bay. Learn more at gcbsr.org.
