48th Annual Summerset Regatta
Organizing Authority: Caloosahatchee Marching and Chowder Society
“Sail The Tradition” at Fort Myers Beach
October 11-13, 2013
Benefiting Youth Sailing in South West Florida
- Offshore Sailing School Buoy Races
- West Marine Coastal Race
- Up to 8 Racing Classes
- WFPHRF BOTY Event
- Friday Skippers / Crew Meeting and Party
- Saturday Cocktail Party
- Fantastic Prizes and Awards
- Youth Sailing Benefit Event
“Sunset Finish” – the 2012 Award Winning Artwork for the Summerset Regatta (click to enlarge)
Summerset – The Tradition Continues
Forty-eight years ago, some local sailors placed a classified ad in the newspaper looking for “anyone interested in racing sailboats from Fort Myers Beach to Naples”. That first race led to a yearly event that all southwest Florida sailors look forward to – the end of the summer celebration known as the Summerset Regatta.
The CMCS Summerset Regatta has a grand history as the oldest continuous regatta in Southwest Florida. Over the years, we have raced and partied in Naples, Marco Island, Burnt Store Marina and Fort Myers Beach. Although the venues have changed, the traditions have been the same: buoy and distance race competitions, banquet dinner with special trophies and door prizes, lots of racing yachts, supportive cruising boats and sponsorships, all working together to make a great regatta. Summerset has always been a collaborative effort, with the goal of making a contribution to youth sailing and marine activities for young people. Recent years have seen a very nice increase in our awards, so that CMCS has been able to contribute over $30,000 to youth sailing programs up and down the coast. Locally, in the Fort Myers/Cape Coral area, we have instituted a Grant Fund whereby we have awarded grants to over thirty children each year who might not have had the opportunity to learn to sail. Thirty-two children will be recipients of grants to the award-winning Edison Sailing Center for summer sessions in 2013.
Summerset – 2012
Last year, sailors from Charlotte Harbor to Marco Island joined in the fun, both racing and cruising, as yachts in seven different classes raced in Saturday’s buoy races and Sunday’s distance race off of Fort Myers Beach.
In 2013, The Caloosahatchee Marching and Chowder Society (CMCS) is proud to present the 48th annual Summerset Regatta. The weekend of October 11th, 12th & 13th is full of fun events for the entire family including racing, happy-hour events, outdoor poolside cocktail party, fabulous door prizes, and the awards banquet dinner.
Saturday’s buoy racing is sponsored by The Offshore Sailing School and Sunday’s Coastal Race is once again sponsored by West Marine.
The regatta’s shore-side activities will be headquartered at the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina on Fort Myers Beach, with a beautiful beach and view of the Gulf of Mexico sunset. The proximity to restaurants and shopping promises even more convenience and opportunities for the participants and their families to enjoy during this fun-filled weekend. The addition this year of the Pink Shell’s newly renovated marina facilities will make it even more convenient for sailors to enjoy the festivities.
We welcome you to our website and hope you will join us for the 48th Summerset Regatta organized and hosted by U.S. Sailing’s award winning Caloosahatchee Marching and Chowder Society (CMCS).
Respectfully submitted,
. Beverly Duff – CMCS Commodore
. Steve Romaine – CMCS Vice Commodore of Summerset
. the entire 2013 Summerset Regatta Committee
