Troy Shantz
An armada of light sailboats from across Ontario dotted the southern tip of Lake Huron over the weekend during Sailfest Sarnia 2017.
Nearly 100 boats and their crews converged on the Sarnia Yacht Club for three days of skills development and competition, with sailors ranging in age from seven to 55.
The Lasers, 420s and even a few Bytes braved the multi-lap courses, bumping their way over the waves and occasionally into each other.
Competitors say they look forward to Sarnia’s regatta because it presents unique challenges.
“It’s different than it is on Lake Ontario… the current is way, way stronger and there’s a lot more wind,” said 14-year-old Robert Nicholson of Oakville, who competed in the Laser Radial class.
“It’s a lot of fun.”
Family members cheered on the seafarers and later camped in ‘tent cities’ formed on the lawns of the yacht club.
Jay Kirkpatrick, of Oakville, watched as his daughter Kimberly competed in a Laser Radial. The regatta is a calendar highlight, he said.
“It’s one of our favourite of the year. The best regatta in the province.”
