Lakewood Yacht Club’s Race Committee Chairman Gerhard Wittich has announced that the 31st Annual Shoe Regatta will be held over the weekend of May 18-19.  In 1982 Lakewood hosted the first Shoe Regatta which was originally sponsored by Foley’s Department Store and Sperry Top-Sider Shoes.  Bay Access, a not-for-profit organization that supports amateur racing, is the organizing authority of the race.  Sponsors include Mount Gay Rum and West Marine.

The Regatta, which is open to the public, is a favorite among local racers because, in the past, each crew member of the winning boat in each class was awarded a certificate for a pair of Sperry deck shoes; hence the name of the Regatta.

The Shoe Regatta is for one-design, handicapped, and cruising sailboats over 20 feet in length and with a cabin.  There will be two windward/leeward courses for One Design Classes and PHRF Spinnaker boats and an additional Distance Course.

The Skippers Meeting will be held on Fri., May 17, 7:30 pm in the ballroom of Lakewood Yacht Club, 2425 NASA Parkway, Seabrook, TX.  “We urge all skippers to attend this important gathering so that they can take full advantage of all aspects of this weekend regatta,” related Wittich.

The Saturday evening party will feature music by “Crossroads” and a dinner of chicken-fried steak.  The Awards Ceremony will follow the last race on Sun., May 19th, and will be held in the ballroom of Lakewood Yacht Club. Sponsors who make the Shoe Race possible to be hosted by Lakewood Yacht Club include the following:  Nautic, Bay Access, Little Yacht Sales, Hayes Insurance, OJs Marine, Sea Lake Yacht Sales, Sail with Scott and Mount Gay Rum.

Participants can register on line at www.lakewoodyachtclub.com.  For questions, please contact Lakewood Yacht Club at  [email protected] or call the office at 281-474-2511.