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Lakefest News
TEXOMA LAKEFEST REGATTA RAISES $20,000 FOR MAKE-A-WISH
Herald Democrat
Sherman, TX (July 6, 2010) – For the past 24 years, the community minded sailors of the Texoma Sailing Club have hosted the Texoma Lakefest Regatta. The Regatta, held each April at Grandpappy Point Marina on Lake Texoma, was the first charity regatta in the United States. The mission of the regatta is to hold world class sail boat racing to raise money to benefit children's charities in the Texoma area [more].
CONGRATULATIONS TEXOMA SAILING CLUB ON ANOTHER GREAT YEAR!
The Texoma Sailing Club presents a check representing the proceeds from the 2010 Texoma Lakefest Regatta to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North Texas. The donation will grant wishes to children in the Texoma region with life threatening medical conditions.
Front row from left: Chuck Flanagan of the Texoma Lakefest Foundation, Erin Michel and Claire Christensen of the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North Texas, and Grandpappy Point Marina General Manager Jason Cottingame.
LAKEFEST 2010 FINAL RESULTS POSTED!
COLLEGIATE CUP RESULTS POSTED!
Denison, TX (April 21, 2010) – Approximately 20 collegiate sailors from Texas and Oklahoma came to Lakefest 2010 to participate in the inaugural Lakefest Collegiate Cup. The Collegiate Cup was created by the Texoma Sailing Club as a way to forge friendships between collegiate sailors and sailors from area sailing organizations in an effort to keep students active in sailing once they graduate.
For the students, they were able to step up – WAY UP – from the small dinghies they race in college to large 30'-43' keelboats. For those racing in Lakefest, the collegiate sailors provided much-needed, knowledgeable and enthusiastic manpower to augment the crews on nine boats.
Congratulations to Texas A&M University who brought a large contingent up from College Station and based on the strength of that group were able win the inaugural event. Southern Methodist University (SMU) and the University of Oklahoma (OU) were also well-represented and won 2nd and 3rd (respectively).
LAKEFEST GATHERS CROWD DESPITE DREARY WEATHER (video here)
by Heather Sahr KXII-TV First 12 News
Denison, TX (April 15, 2010) – Nearly a quarter century old charity event is taking place at Lake Texoma this weekend and participants aren't letting a little rainy weather get in the way of their plans.
Last year, the Texoma Lakefest Regatta changed their charity recipient to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North Texas. Hundreds gathered at Grandpappy Point to take part in the event. Weather was a little better for the first day of the competition but captains, skippers and first mates say what's most important is what's at the heart of this event, a fundraiser for children with life threatening medical conditions.
A few boaters sat out Saturday as the clouds hung overhead. "We decided it was to icky to go out there and do it, we're fair weather sailors and today wasn't fair weather," Boat Captain, Steve Parry, said. Although boaters like Parry didn't take part in Saturday's race, they still gathered at the marina to watch the competition from a distance.
"Texoma's so big that we can set up and run very good quality races," said Primary Race Officer Wayne Coulon. "We usually have good wind. Out on the west coast, we don't get wind until about noon. Here, we've got it all the time."
This year marked the 24th regatta on Lake Texoma. Funds raised have gone to multiple local charities in the past, but last year the competition began donating to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The partnership began after the commodore for the Texoma Sailing Club saw a touching photo.
"I happened to see one of their annual reports, and there was a little boy on there steering a sailboat and it just wrenched your heart so I was like, yea this would be a great fit," Commodore, J.D. Hill, said.
Parry says purpose of the event shines through despite the weather and his team enjoyed the event on land today. They're proud of their victories from Fridays race. "We got fourth in one race and fifth in the other. Well there's fifty boats out there but there's not fifty boats in our group so I would say there were about four or five in our group and that's about how we did," Parry, said.
Today's events concluded at the Regatta Pavilion for the Shipwrecked Ball. There's still a chance to catch the tale end of the weekend long celebration. Sunday afternoon awards will be handed out by the Make a Wish Foundation of North Texas.
GRANDPAPPY DOCK 7
Denison, TX (April 15, 2010) – The Texoma Lakefest Foundation and the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North Texas would like to particularly commend the efforts of Grandpappy Point Marina Dock 7, who of their own initiative started a challenge among boat owners on that dock and together raised a substantial donation for the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North Texas.
REGATTA REGISTRATION CLOSES TODAY AT NOON
Denison, TX (April 14, 2010) – This is your last chance to participate in Lakefest 2010. We have an excellent fleet and a wide range of competitors, so there will be good racing for all. The weather forecast is continuing to improve, so it looks like we'll have almost ideal racing conditions. So please, register NOW!
ADVANCE TICKETS FOR THE SAILOR'S RECEPTION AND THE SHIPWRECKED BALL CLOSES TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT
Denison, TX (April 13, 2010) – Time is running out! The online store for purchasing your advance tickets to the Sailor's Reception (this Friday) and Lakefest's legendary Shipwrecked Ball (this Saturday) closes at midnight tonight. You will still be able to purchase tickets at the door for the Shipwrecked Ball, but they will not include an all-you-can-eat barbecue buffet catered by Risky's BBQ of Ft. Worth. So please, register today!
NO SIBLING RIVALRY AMONG SAILORS
Denison, TX (April 12, 2010) – Dallas and Ft. Worth... Two great cities with plenty of crosstown rivalries. One of the best parts about working for a great cause like the Texoma Lakefest Foundations and the Make-A-Wish® Foundation is that it brings out the best in people. Almost all North Texas yacht clubs are involved in Lakefest to some degree, but our crosstown "rivals" from Ft. Worth really stepped up this year to demonstrate the very best qualities in sailors and in sportsmanship. Not only are they sending three boats to compete in Lakefest this year, but many FWBC members can be found scattered throughout Lakefest crews. They're also bringing in a fairly large contingent to participate in the spectator fleet. One anonymous sponsor, a doctor from FWBC, when making a generous donation merely requested we make the following acknowledgement:
"The Fort Worth Boat Club salutes Texoma Sailing Club and the Lakefest Regatta participants for their community generosity."
CABLE ONE SPONSORS LAKEFEST, TV COMMERCIAL
Denison, TX (April 6, 2010) – Good corporate citizens continue to step forward and show their support of Lakefest 2010. Most recently Cable ONE stepped up to provide pro-bono airtime of a Lakefest commercial that will be transmitted throughout the Sherman / Denison area. Cable ONE is an operator of cable systems that serves approximately 720,000 customers in 19 states with cable television, telephone and high-speed Internet service.
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS SPONSORS LAKEFEST, OFFERS SPECIALS RATES TO RACERS AND SPECTATORS
Denison, TX (April 1, 2010) – In addition to offering free lodging to Lakefest officials, Holiday Inn Express & Suites of Denison is offering a special $85 per night rate to Lakefest participants and spectators. This is a new facility under new management. Holiday Inn Express is an excellent choice for racers and spectators because it's only a few minutes away from Grandpappy Point Marina and it offers clean comfortable rooms and a full, hot breakfast to guests (Because when you're burning thousands of calories on the racecourse, a continental breakfast just doesn't cut it!).
NEW VIDEO SHOWS SEVERAL OPTIONS FOR WATCHING LAKEFEST
This new promotional video from Texoma Destinations showcases two of the viewing options available to those who'd like to come out and watch the racing. At 3:00 into the video, you'll see Sundance Camp, which Texoma Destinations if opening to the public. Its 200 yards of pristine beachfront and excellent facilities offer the best shoreside view of the racing. At approximately 3:45 into the video, you'll see We Are Here – one of several 50', professionally captained luxury yachts that will take spectators right out to the racecourse for a ringside seat of the races. For more details, please visit the spectator page located here.
MORE WAYS TO SEE AND ENJOY LAKEFEST courtesy of TEXOMA DESTINATIONS
Denison, TX (February 25, 2010) – Now you can watch all the racing action from your choice of ringside seats. Texoma Destinations, who owns a variety getaway rental properties in the Texoma area including cabins, Sundance Camp, The Party Barn event center and a 50' luxury sightseeing yacht as well as the Tackle Box and Tackle Box Too convenience stores, is sponsoring Lakefest on several fronts. First and foremost Texoma Destinations is providing two new options for spectators who would like to watch the races.
| We Are Here: For a donation of $10 per person, come aboard the professionally captained, 50' luxury sightseeing yacht We Are Here and watch the racing right from the racecourse. We Are Here will depart the Grandpappy Point Marina fuel dock at 11 a.m. and return at approximately 3 p.m. Space is limited, so we strongly suggest reserving your spot by purchasing a Spectator Boat Ticket today. |  |
| Sundance Camp: Offers approximately 200 yards of pristine beach overlooking the entrance to Grandpappy Point Marina and the racecourse. Bring a folding chair or a blanket and enjoy nearly 270° of water and racing action. For those wishing to stay the weekend, Sundance Camp offers excellent RV camping as well as improved and primitive campsites for tents. The camp also features clean, modern facilities onsite. Texoma Destinations staff will be onhand to supply snacks and beverages. Admission is $5 per person, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North Texas. |  |
For race participants, Texoma Destinations will also be offering hot breakfasts before each day's racing and a variety of lunch items to simplify your racing preparations and minimize the amount of supplies you'll need to store onboard to feed your crew. As a service to Texoma boaters, if you place an order with Tackle Box or Tackle Box Too in advance, they will gather all the supplies you'll need for a weekend out on the water (water, beer - at the original Tackle Box only, paper towels, paper plates, etc.) and have them waiting for you when you arrive at the Lake.
FUN FOR EVERYONE: TEXOMA SAILING CLUB ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF "LEISURE FLEET"
Denison, TX (February 19, 2010) – Spread the word … Lakefest will offer a racing division for boats equipped with roller furling mainsails. Times change, designs evolve, and so will the Lakefest Regatta. Many boat owners with cruising boats equipped with roller-furling mainsails have shied away from racing due to the lack of large, well-trained crews and the comparative performance difference between standard mainsails and roller furling mainsails. To give cruising boat skippers a fun and level the playing field, Lakefest is offering cruising boats with roller furling mainsails their own fleet. On the registration form, this fleet will be marked as “leisure fleet". Awards, scoring, and handicapping will be identical to other divisions and fleets. This will provide great and fair competition in a fun and less intense format.
TEXOMA LAKEFEST REGATTA ANNOUNCES FORMATION
OF A 20-FOOT SPORT BOAT FLEET
Denison, TX (February 17, 2010) – The Texoma Lakefest Foundation and the Texoma Sailing Club are pleased to announce the formation of a twenty-foot sport boat fleet for this year’s Lakefest Regatta to be held April 16-18, 2010. This fleet is being formed to encourage boats from the fastest-growing segment of sailing to participate in the region’s premier sailing event.
Classes expected to participate include the i550, Laser SB3, Melges 20, Open 5.7, Rocket 22, Ultimate 20 and Viper 640. All boats are required to sail in their one-design configuration.
Appropriate handicaps will be assigned, and all boats will participate as a single fleet. If one participating design has five or more entries, they will be scored as a one-design fleet in addition to being scored in the overall mixed-fleet results. view complete press release
JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE TO GO
BACK INTO THE WATER...
Free Viper 640 rides at Lakefest on April 15
Rondar / Viper South-Central is offering FREE demo rides on one the hottest new sport boats on the planet – the Viper 640! The Viper has become one of the fastest growing new designs because it offers family-friendly easy sailing as well as all-out performance all at a very attractive price tag. This offer is open to the public, however, space is limited. If interested, please contact Jeff at 254.493.1222 or viper640tx@gmail.com to reserve your time on the water.
COME FOR LAKEFEST, STAY FOR THE CLASSIC
May 1-2, 2010
Denison, TX (January 18, 2010) – If you come for Lakefest, why not keep your boat on Texoma an extra couple of weeks and join us for the Texoma Classic Regatta? It's like two regattas for the price of one!
Until last year, the Texoma Classic has always been North Texas' classic mid-distance race. Last year, the format was changed to a pursuit start, which (along with the weather) made the Classic one of the most exciting races in recent years. This year's format will be "tweaked" just slightly. Day 1 of the regatta will feature a pursuit start point-to-point race from Grandpappy Point Marina to Cedar Mills Marina – a distance of 14 to 21 miles depending on the course set. Cedar Mills Yacht Club has graciously offered to host a party for race participants Saturday night. Complimentary slips with electricity will be provided by Cedar Mills Marina. Cedar Mills has many, reasonable and cozy cabins available for your extra crewmembers. Day 2 will feature breakfast followed by a pursuit race back to Grandpappy Point Marina.
The pursuit start, point-to-point racing has proven very popular with cruisers and families because point-to-point racing doesn't require the large crews that buoy racing does. In addition, each boat will be given a staring time based on their handicap, which eliminates traffic at the starting line. First one across the finish line wins!
Once again, the good folks at Grandpappy Point Marina have gone above any beyond to support racers who wish to participate in Texoma regattas. Any boat who participates in Lakefest and would like to stay for Texoma Classic may store their boat either on a trailer or in the water for no charge between the two regattas.
FREE RACING RULES OF SAILING SEMINAR
Saturday January 23rd, 11 am - 3 pm, at TSC Clubhouse
This is a FREE seminar (with an optional lunch for $10), but you need to register by Wednesday, January 20, 2010. Space is limited. Register here (If you are waitlisted, we will look for another location and notify everyone of a change in venue).
We will be covering Part 2 (and Definitions) from the Racing Rules of Sailing. If you have a copy, bring it along. If you don’t have a copy, it is available free from ISAF here (Part 2 consists of 6 page in this PDF).
So, why all the hoopla about 6 measly pages? Well, there is a fair about of judgment involved in determining what rule is in effect at what time. If you don’t already know the rules, this will be good exposure. If you already know the 2009-2012 rules, this is a good opportunity for a refresher before the season starts. If you knew the rules “a long time ago,” I will be pointing out changes that were made in 2009 (vs. 2005-2008 rules). I will also review with you a couple of changes that went into effect on January 1, 2010. We will mix in some “what if” simulations so you can “make the call”.
Dave Long, TSC Race Captain
ISLAND BOOGIE BAND JOINS LAKEFEST LINEUP TO HEADLINE THE SHIPWRECKED BALL
"Hot Caribbean Rhythms & Cool Tropical Grooves!"
Denison, TX (January 12, 2010) – The Island Boogie Steel Drum Band, one of Texas' premiere steel bands, has signed to headline at Texoma Lakefest Regatta's Shipwrecked Ball Saturday night April 17th!
Citing influences such as Jimmy Buffett and Bob Marley, the Island Boogie Band will infuse Lakefest with the festive Caribbean sound of steel drums. The band's vast collection of island inspired covers is drawn from a variety of popular and tropical styles including Calypso, Soca, Reggae, Salsa and Jimmy Buffett.
Complimenting Island Boogie Band will be authentic Texas barbeque catered by Risky's BBQ of Fort Worth. Come dance the night away on the soothing sands of our imported Caribbean beach and sample a frozen hurricane from the BIG WOO – if you dare!
The event is open to the public, and all proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish® Foundation of North Texas. Tickets are $30 each. Children under 12 are admitted with parent; child tickets are $12.50 each.
If you're competing in the regatta, tickets may be purchased with your regatta registration. For all others, please click here to purchase your tickets online. Within the next few weeks, tickets should also be available at the Grandpappy Point Marina office.
LAKEFEST IS NOW ON FACEBOOK
Denison, TX (January 11, 2010) – Texoma Lakefest Regatta is now on facebook. Please become a fan of Lakefest and help us promote this great and worthy event to all your sailing friends. We want to see 100 boats on the starting line in 2010, and with your help, we might just be able to get there. This year, there will be spectator boats for your friends and family to come out, watch and cheer you to victory, and Saturday night's Shipwreck Ball dinner and party is open to everyone. More party details to follow soon...
2010 NOTICE OF RACE RELEASED
Denison, TX (January 11, 2010) – Texoma Sailing Club has just released the 2010 Lakefest Regatta Notice of Race (NOR). You can either download it here, or click the "Enter The Race" menu on the left. We anticipate online registration for Lakefest 2010 to open next week.
24th ANNUAL TEXOMA LAKEFEST REGATTA NOW UNDERWAY
Denison, TX (August 16, 2009) – Planning has already begun on the 24th Annual Texoma Lakefest Regatta. The event, which will be held April 16-18, 2010, regularly attracts from 60 to 100 keelboats and their crews – all vying for bragging rights to be considered among the best sailors in Texas and Oklahoma. Hosted each year by Texoma Sailing Club and Grandpappy Point Marina on Lake Texoma, Lakefest is the region's largest sailboat race and is recognized as the largest inland charity regatta in the United States.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North Texas will once again be the beneficiary of the event. Make-A-Wish enriches the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work. Since its founding, the organization has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon, reaching more than 167,000 children. All proceeds from Lakefest 2010 will go toward granting wishes to North Texas children. In 2009, three Grayson (and surrounding) County children saw their dreams come true as a direct result of Lakefest.
Begun nearly a quarter century ago as the Easter Regatta, the Texoma Lakefest Regatta has grown to become one of the nation’s premiere sailboat races and is recognized as the largest inland charity regatta in the United States. Since its inception, Lakefest has raised more than $2 million in support of various children’s charities in North Texas.
For more information, please visit www.texomasailing.org and www.northtexaswish.org
CONGRATULATIONS TEXOMA SAILING CLUB!
Texoma Lakefest Foundation board members present proceeds from the 2009 Texoma Lakefest Regatta to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North Texas
From left: TSC Race Captain Chuck Flanagan, David Burrage of the Burrage Law Firm, Grandpappy Point Marina General Manager Jason Cottingame, Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North Texas Development Officer Megan O'Brien, Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North Texas President Barry Smink, and TSC Vice Commodore J.D. Hill, Jr.
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LAKE TEXOMA RACING
Red River Interrupted
by Kimball Livingston, SAIL Magazine
March, 2009
Off the bow I could see Oklahoma. I looked over the stern, and yonder was Texas. Around me whitecaps were building on a special lake that splits the difference between two be-all, end-all rivals, and the name of that body of water says it all. Texoma [more].
LAKEFEST MESSAGE BOARDS NOW ONLINE
Denison, TX (January 18th, 2009) – There's a lot of excitement building around this year's Lakefest Regatta. Our goal is to make it the biggest and best regatta this part of the country has seen in years. Adding to the fun, we've recently included Message Boards on the site, so that those interested in participating can ask questions and get answers. Or maybe you just want to get online and talk smack about Solstice...
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Thank You, Race Committee
by Kimball Livingston, SAIL Magazine
April 23, 2008
On the north coast of Texas, you can see all the way to Oklahoma. But what I carried away from Lakefest on Lake Texoma was a renewed appreciation for the volunteers who make sailboat racing possible [more].
Texoma Lakefest Regatta - Annual Charity Event Raises Funds for Special Needs Children
by Andi Hunt, Associated Content, Inc.
February 21, 2008
Texoma Lakefest Regatta is in its' 22nd year in April 2008 and known throughout the U.S. as the Grand Dame of sailboat racing. The charity event has raised more than $1.5 million for special needs children throughout Grayson County, making it one of the top charitable regattas in the nation [more].
For more information, please visit www.texomasailing.org and www.northtexaswish.org