After two years away from the the waters of Port Townsend Bay, the Classic Mariner’s Regatta will be back at sea.

But this year brings a special twist.

For the first time in the event’s history, the regatta will be open to sailboats of all designs and materials.

Whether one is a salty sailor or a nautical newbie, there’s a spot for everyone to participate in the Classic Mariner’s Regatta, set for Saturday, June 4 to Sunday,
June 5.

It will be the 39th annual rendition of the regatta, and local marine racing organization Port Townsend Sailing Association will manage the event.

“We decided since there’s been some time, we wanted to open it up to any size sailboat and any make of sailboat,” said Holly Kays, a key organizer with the Port Townsend Sailing Association.

“We are hoping that it gives everyone another opportunity to get out on the water and sail with other people and sail their boats in a race that’s also kind of a fun, casual atmosphere,” Kays added.

The event will occur over two days with sailboat classes racing on different routes.

Saturday’s course will be a triangular-style route marked by yellow buoys on all three points (similar to the annual Shipwright’s Regatta). Sunday’s regatta will be a longer, pursuit-type race with staggered start times.

“Saturday’s race you can pretty much see from town or the side of the bay, and the Sunday race is fun because the boats go out to Fort Worden and sometimes do a full lap of the bay,” Kays said. “Port Townsend Bay has the challenges of the currents and the wind conditions; it’s all a part of the fun.”

The Port Townsend Sailing Association will manage the Classic Mariner’s Regatta, though the group will cooperate with the Northwest Maritime Center by using their facilities for post-race events, Kays said.

“We’re taking on most of these events like the traditional regattas,” she said.

The regatta is also sponsored by local beermaker Port Townsend Brewing Company.

The registration fee to participate in the 2022 Classic Mariner’s Regatta is $30 for those who sign up before May 25 and will be $40 for any applicants after the initial deadline.

“We are also trying to keep the entry fee real low to encourage people to come out,” she said. “We want to promote everybody going out sailing.”

For any sailors on the Peninsula, the 2022 Classic Mariner’s Regatta is a can’t-miss event, especially after it was sidelined for two years.

“It’s just fun being a part of a group that likes to get on the water and learn from each other and learn about our boats … we’re trying to become better sailors all the time,” Kays said. “We’re really looking forward to it.”

To learn more about the regatta and register to compete, go to the sailing association’s website at ptsail.org/classic-mariners-regatta-2022.