Gray Creek Regatta 2025
August 13, 2025
Come to the Gray Creek Regatta held at The Lakeview on the east shore of Kootenay Lake on Saturday August 30-31.
You are invited to the historic Gray Creek Regatta held at the The Lakeview on the east shore of Kootenay Lake August 30th and 31st, 2025.
The first Gray Creek Regatta was held in the summer of 1922 and included a greasy pole climb, a ‘bang and go back’ race, and a ‘tilting’ event with competitors standing in small boats trying to knock each other into the water or capsize the other boat using a long oar.
In 1923 a distinctive trophy, the Gray Creek Challenge Shield, consisting of deer antlers mounted on a wooden shield, was created by local resident George Oliver, with yearly winners getting their name engraved on a silver plaque mounted on the Shield. With years of winners the Shield is now more than double its original size.
So uncoil those lines, hoist those sails, and come join the Kootenay Lake Sailing Association on the east shore of Kootenay Lake for some fun, a Saturday night BBQ and paddle race, and of course some sailing, at the historic Gray Creek Regatta.
Saturday night BBQ cost is $15 per person and includes burgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, smokies, salads, chips and non-alcoholic drinks (e.g. Bubly and sodas). Bring your own alcoholic drinks.
For more information please contact: kootenaylakesailing@gmail.com
Notice of Race
Organizing Authority is the Kootenay Lake Sailing Association
Date 30th and 31st August 2025
Skippers must sign the KLSA insurance waiver of liability to enter this event. These will be provided at the skippers meeting. The onus is on the skipper to ensure the race committee receives and initials the signed document.
Rules: Current Racing Rules of Sailing ,PHRF BC and prescriptions of Sail Canada.These may be modified at the skippers meeting by the KLSA Race Committee.
Changes to Sailing Instructions: Will be addressed at skippers meeting at 0930 hrs, August 30th on the timers pier at Lakeview Marina
Communications: The race committee (RC) will communicate on channel 69 vhf.
Schedule of Races: The first race is scheduled to start at 1100 hrs on August 30th and no signals to start a race will be made after 1600 hrs
On August 31st the races will begin at 10AM with no signals to start a race to be made after 3PM
Courses: The courses to be sailed will be displayed from the timers position on shore at the east end of the Start-Finish line ( 2 orange marks west of the timers position)
Course marks are numbered 1 to 4, #1 being south of the startéfinish line, marks 2,3 and #4 (an orange fisheries buoy) being consecutively north in Crawford Bay. This numbering maybe changed if a reaching leg is added.
All starts are upwind. All mark roundings are to port (keep the mark on your left as you round it)
The start-finish line is an obstruction and cannot be crossed on courses where mark# 1 is included.
Boats must keep clear of the start area unless it is their fleet in the start sequence.
Penalties and Protests: Penalty turns for all infractions will be 360 degree (one jibe and one tack). Protests must be made within 30 minutes of the final race of the day ending to the Race Committee. Boats over the start line early should go around the west (pin) end of the start line or dip the start line to restart.
A skipper lodging a protest must provide the Protest Committee with a pint of rum which same will consume if the protest is not upheld (or even if it is)
Time Limits: Boats failing to finish within 30 minutes of the first boat to finish a race will be scored DNF
Scoring: Low point scoring system in appendix A of RRS is used.1 throw out score is calculated at races 6 and 7, 2 throw out scores are calculated at 8 or more races.
Disclaimer of Liability and Risk Statement:
Racing Rules of Sailing Part 1, fundamental rule #3 places all responsibility for loss, damage, injury and death on the competitors and clearly explains potential risks and that sailing can be a dangerous sport. By participating in this regatta you are agreeing to this rule and agree that the Kootenay Lake Sailing Association and its directors will not accept any liability for material damage, personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with, prior to or during or after the regatta
All participating boats must carry a minimum of $1 million liability insurance and carry proof of same.
Make sure the boat you sail on has liability insurance.