(Submitted photo)
The Coral Bay Yacht Club is delighted to announce the return of its popular Flotilla event, now featuring a delicious twist — a Chili Cook-Off. Aptly dubbed “A Party with a Purpose,” the event will take place Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hansen Bay on the east end of St. John.
All proceeds from this festive gathering will benefit competitive youth sailing programs on St. John, empowering young sailors to refine their skills and pursue their passion for the sport.
This year’s event promises an unforgettable day filled with flavor, fun, and philanthropy, according to the organizers. Highlights include:
- Chili Contestants: Dare to sample and savor a variety of unique chili
- Live Music: Enjoy lively tunes that will keep the party spirit
- Cash Bar: Raise a glass to the future of youth
- 50/50 Raffle: Take a chance to win big while supporting a worthy
- Sailing Demonstrations: Watch Kids and the Sea students showcase their sailing skills, sure to inspire young attendees to take to the water.
Guests can arrive by boat or by car. Those arriving by car can enjoy free entrance to Hansen Bay.
Those without a boat can sign up to travel by sea to Hansen Bay. Volunteer boats and crews will ferry guests from Coral Bay to Hansen Bay. Reservations are required in advance for boat transportation, which costs $40 per person. Reservations can be made by texting Jamie at 340-227-3260. (Please note that walk-ins at the dock cannot be accommodated.)
The annual Coral Bay Yacht Club Flotilla has a long history of fundraising, according to Julie Fortunato, a longtime CBYC member. It began following Hurricane Marilyn in the late 1990s as a way to help repair the roof of the Emmaus Moravian Church. Back then, it was a full-day flotilla to the British Virgin Islands.
This was before Customs and Immigration regulations in both territories got so complicated, Fortunato said. To make things simple, British Virgin Islands officials greeted boaters at Benures Bay on Norman Island, and U.S. Virgin Islands Customs came to Coral Bay to help clear everyone back in.
The yacht club has raised money for several causes over the years, but the one that has benefited the most is the Kids and the Sea Program, known as KATS. Founded by the late Fletcher Pitts and his wife, Robin Clair, the program began on St. Thomas in response to the 1986 deaths of three St. Thomas youths. They drowned while on an outing to one of the cays located in Pillsbury Sound off St. John.
The St. John program followed shortly after in 1988, and within two decades, it already had trained more than 500 youngsters in basic rowing skills, water safety and sailing programs, according to a 2007 article in the Source.
This year, however, some of the funds raised will go to support the Youth Sailing Program, a new competitive sailing program for St. John teens being hosted by the Gifft Hill School
The new sailing team, coached by Sam Normington, is open to all middle and high school students on St. John whose schools do not offer sailing programs. This initiative is designed to accommodate a broad range of skill levels, from novices who have never set foot on a boat to experienced sailors looking to hone their competitive edge.
“We’re surrounded by water, so being knowledgeable about being on the water and activities you can do on the water are super crucial to the next generation and to the community,” said KATS Secretary Val Tarr. “KATS is more about water safety and recreational sailing. The Gifft Hill program will complement that by allowing sailors to compete at a higher level. We’re really excited about having a coach who can get these kids ready to go to regattas.”
The Coral Bay Yacht Club sponsors two major regattas, the Thanksgiving Regatta and the Commodore’s Cup, scheduled for the first weekend in May.
For more information, call Mary Burks at 340-513-8141, Dave Dostall at 340-643-2630, or email coralbayyachtclubstj@gmail.com.
