Need to Get More Satisfaction

If growing participation is the mission, annual events need to take a long look at themselves. People haven’t disappeared, and people haven’t stopped needing a recreational activity. If people aren’t participating, it’s because they have chosen an alternative that provides more satisfaction.

The recent launch of the Chicago Area Sail Racing Association is eager to bring back satisfaction to sailing, and rather than re-brand an existing regatta, Chicago Yacht Club will host a new event on September 9 with an innovative format to get proverbial “butts in boats.”

The Chicago Regatta features four different kinds of events, all in a single day: CYC will run a buoy race for small one-design boats, a distance race for offshore boats, a casual race for newer racers, and a poker run for power boaters. CYC is offering all four events free of charge to members and non-members alike, with the goal of engaging the entire Chicagoland boating community.

“Through the Chicago Regatta, we’re trying to get as many people on the water, and to build friendships among boaters with varied interests,” explained Leif Sigmond, the Commodore of CYC. “We are especially focused on trying to bring new people into boating, by making the events fun and easy to enter and participate in.”

The Chicago Regatta also has a charitable purpose. Through this event, CYC hopes to raise funds for three different Chicago-area youth centered charities.

The University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital, provides comprehensive and innovative medical care to children. SOS Children’s Villages Illinois is a nonprofit, child welfare agency that serves children in foster care and at-risk youth in communities surrounding its sites. And CYC’s own Chicago Yacht Foundation services to broaden the horizons of youth through instruction in after school programs, sailing scholarships, and sailing clinics.

While all of the Chicago Regatta events are free of charge, CYC is asking participants to become acquainted with the charities and consider making a donation to one or more of them,” explained Greg Miarecki, CYC Past Commodore and chair of this year’s Chicago Regatta. “We are excited to partner with each of these great organizations – they do terrific work for Chicago-area kids in different ways. We are confident that, when our friends in the Chicago boating community learn more about these charities, many boaters will want to support them.”

The Chicago Regatta is not just an on-water event. CYC has planned a fabulous blues-themed dock party at Monroe Station after the event, complete with live music, great Chicago-style food, a silent auction, and awards presentation.

“In order to attract more people to our sport, we need to offer more than just the on-water experience,” notes Miarecki noted. “Part of the experience is enjoying each other’s company afterwards – in a fun and engaging atmosphere, and we’re going to do just that on September 9.”

Details: www.chicagoregatta.com