Lots of big races are happening on the Chesapeake over the next couple of weeks, giving you no excuse to sit on your couch. And I'm just going to say it: the beach is overrated. This is where it's at.
The East of Maui Boardshop/Eastport Yacht Club Stand Up Challenge happens tomorrow morning. This is an open water race in Annapolis Harbor and the mouth of the Severn River, with two courses - a 6.5-7 miler and a 3-3.5 miler. This is an awesome race with one of the better post-race parties out there. Do note that there is no race day registration, so if you're still hemming and hawing about signing up, do it TODAY.
Later, at 6 p.m. on Saturday, the EYC Boomerang is going to take off from Annapolis Harbor. The Boomerang is a new distance race on the Bay, following in the retirement of the Solomons Race, but coming from the organizers we have very high hopes and expectations that this will be a killer course and set up. Plan on showing up at EYC in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 10, to a party catered by Grumps Cafe, Annapolis Smokehouse, and many others. If you don't have a boat for the race, there is a crew board set up here. There's no reason to miss out.
Screwpile kicks off a week from today, if you can believe it. If you're still looking for a boat, definitely post your name on our Crew Finder. Skippers, remember that this is a great place to find active crew.
In the northern end of the Bay, the Baltimore City YA's Race to Baltimore starts Saturday, July 16. Rendezvous at the mouth of the Magothy at Baltimore Light, then head up the Bay and into the Patapsco to Bawlmer Harbor. This is a great race with a killer, inner city party at Harbor East Marina. The ticket is a ridiculously cheap $25 for what you get. The BCYA also has a crew call page that allows you to find a boat or crew very easily.
July 23, the Annapolis YC is hosting their Summer One Design regatta, with a first warning set for 2pm. Expect some of the best OD action of the summer to happen here. AYC does have a Crew Connect page up as well, but we would recommend you use the SpinSheet Crew Finder just for a greater number of active members.
If you're down on the southern end of the Bay, the Cruising Club of Virginia hosts their Moonlight Triangle Race that same day. The course could be anywhere from 14 to 30 nautical miles and is open to all PHRF boats. There is a crew signup on the home page of the CCV, but also check out their Facebook page because it's pretty active.
