An interview with Aaron Hale on the Whidbey Summer Classics Regatta
by David Schmidt 25 Jul 2023 16:00 BST
July 28-30, 2023
Whidbey Island Race Week © Jan's Marine Photography
For decades, Whidbey Island Race Week enjoyed a fine reputation for serving as summer camp for adults on the waters of Puget Sound. For a lot of reasons, the event, which was hosted by Oak Harbor Yacht Club (OHYC), decided to move on to a different location. No matter: A new regatta, with a similarly good reputation for delivering great times afloat, was soon crafted.
The Whidbey Summer Classics Regatta (July 28-30) will be hosted by the OHYC, and it's open to a wide range of One Design and handicap classes. Racing is set to unfurl on the waters of Whidbey Island's Penn Cove, Saratoga Passage, and Crescent Harbor.
I checked in with Aaron Hale, OHYC's sail fleet captain, ahead of the regatta's 2023 edition, via email, to learn more about this exciting—and now-classic—event.
Can you please give us some history and backstory on the Whidbey Summer Classics Regatta, and the kinds of sailors it attracts?
After Race Week left for Point Roberts, Jason and Rachel Polly and Chad Saxton where on Lemonade bouncing ideas about a new race in Oak Harbor. Sail Fleet Captain at the time, Dave Steckman, took the idea and ran with it.
That is how Whidbey Summer Classic Regatta got started three years ago. The regatta has always attracted a wide range of racers. We have many competitive racers and family boats that have done very well in the race.
What kinds of numbers and interest levels are you seeing ahead of the 2023 event compared with recent editions?
We already have 14 boats signed up and we know that most people like to sign up at the last minute. My goal is 40+ boats this year, double from the years past.
We already have a few out-of-town boats signed up. From Seattle to Bellingham, we are [also] expecting racers from the San Juans and Anacortes.
How would you describe the competition levels at the Whidbey Summer Classics Regatta? Are we talking about professional sailors and Olympic hopefuls, or moms and dads sailing with their kids? Or, maybe a blend of all talent levels?
We see such a blend of racers, everything to One Design champions to racers [who have been racing] in [Whidbey Island] Race Week for decades. We also have many racers that just want to race.
It has always been a very friendly and aggressive competition. The family boats are always some of the most competitive boats we have. Don't forget to watch out for the women that race around here.
Generally speaking, what kinds of conditions can sailors expect on the waters of Penn Cove, Saratoga Passage, and Crescent Harbor in late July?
Penn Cove has some of the best westerly winds in the summer. Last two years we have been able to get 12+ races of in the three days of racing. We have [historically had] some perfect [wind] conditions, [which] is why [Whidbey Island] Race Week was so successful for many decades at OHYC.
Do you see local knowledge playing a big or small role in the regatta's outcome?
I see a small role in the local knowledge we have a few tricks in the Cove. But most sailors know how to read the water and the winds. The out-of-towners pick up fast with what is going on in Penn Cove.
Are there any new additions or important changes to the 2023 regatta, compared to previous editions?
Byran Skubi being our PRO we will have a variety of courses.
We have easy sign up with the regatta network and we will be ready for any class race, if we have four or more of the same design of boat, we will make it a One Design race for that group. From the San Juan 23s to the J/105, we will make it happen.
What about onshore entertainment? What can sailors look forward to once the finishing guns have gone silent each day?
The entertainment is going to be amazing. We are having a DJ on Friday night that has done many big events from Arizona to Seattle. The Saturday night show is going to be off the hook.
The band is Soul Siren. They have played in many yacht clubs and have been a band that have been doing gigs for over 15 years. OHYC is very excited to show off our club and welcome all the skippers and crew.
Bastion Brewing Company from Anacortes will be our sponsoring beer for the race, [and] they will have a variety of beer for the variety of people we will have at the event. We will also have sailor games for the old and young in the field with prizes.
Don't forget the big raffle for our youth sailing [program, which] comes with many prizes.
Can you tell us about any recent steps that the regatta has taken to reduce its environmental footprint or otherwise "green-up" ?
OHYC serves drinks from glass. All dinners are being made in the kitchen and served on dinner plates and the breakfast is being served on paper plates. We are not handing out plastic water bottles. We try and preserve our waters in the Puget sound. OHYC loves our Gray whales that visit us every year.
Is there anything else that you'd like to add, for the record?
OHYC enjoys hosting old friends and new friends. We have one of the best places in the Northwest to be sailing/racing in the summertime here in Penn Cove. The community of Whidbey Island has invested to bring back the sailboats and sail racing to Penn cove.
I cannot express the support we have received this year to make such an event for the Puget Sound community. Also thank all the people that are helping behind the scenes. We are looking forward to hosting this event and welcoming experienced sailors and novice sailors. We have a class for [sailors of] all levels.