There aren’t many dinghy regattas that bring in hundreds of boats, have a mix of juniors and seniors, and sail the entire length of a bay over several hours. But that, in a nutshell, is the Dutch Shoe Marathon. Friday saw the 47th running of what, by the numbers, is one of SoCal’s biggest regattas. Starting at Shelter Island, finishing in Coronado, and mixing it up with whatever commercial and Navy traffic might be transiting San Diego Bay, the Dutch Shoe has four divisions: A, B, and C Fleets, as well as the seniors.
Nearly 200 sailors, both junior and senior, competed in the annual Dutch Shoe Marathon (DSM) today. This iconic regatta begins at the San Diego Yacht Club and finishes at the Coronado Yacht Club, a trek that for most junior sailors is their longest distance race yet. This year marks the 47th annual running of this Southern California right-of-passage.
Mission Bay Yacht Club’s Paige Tillson, 11, (C Fleet) came in first with a solid lead throughout the entirety of the race. Behind Tillson in second place was Siena Nichols (C Fleet) of Balboa Yacht Club, who pulled into the position in the second half of the race. Battling hand in hand with Nichols was Caleb Everett (C Fleet) of Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. The three were able to hold their position in the front of the fleet right from the start.
We can't wait to see you on Friday, and want to extend a big thank you to our club partners for the 2019 Dutch Shoe Marathon. All partners will be at the club pre-start, learn more and have fun!
Amavara Sunscreen will be providing samples and more information about their reef-safe brand. Product is also available for purchase in the ship store.
Long time partner North Sails will have some fun giveaways and always supports our sabots!
Vineyard Vines will have a SPECIAL GUEST and LOTS of giveaways. Vineyard Vines will be returning to SDYC on July 27 for a special trunk show! Please see flyer for details.
The Dutch Shoe Marathon, summer’s iconic San Diego Yacht Club and Coronado Yacht Club tradition, calls locals and tourists to watch or partake in a day of Sabot sailing on July 19, 2019. Over 150 of both junior and senior sailors from Southern California yacht clubs race from SDYC to Coronado Yacht Club, a distance longer than many juniors will sail throughout the summer.
Junior Sailing Head Coach Molly Pleskus comments on the regatta. “The Dutch Shoe Marathon is a race for everyone. The high level, young and old racers looking to cross the line first, adults wanting to get back in a sabot for a bay cruise, and kids stocked up on candy for fun Friday sail. The Dutch shoe brings out new sailors and old for a fun and rewarding sailing tradition!”
