CHOCOWINITY — Cypress Landing Marina Association, for the first time, is set to host the Little Washington Sailing School Regatta on Saturday.

“It’s just a perfect fit,” said Kelly Burke, vice president of CLMA.

The regatta is series of races that culminate the nine-week LWSS season. The sailing school is in its final week of class — an advanced “regatta” class made up of sailors who have participated in previous classes this summer.

On Saturday, those advanced sailors will race around Chocowinity Bay.

Burke said CLMA continues to show support for the sailing school, and some of its members are even certified instructors and board members of the school.

“We have long supported the sailing school through individual support by some of our Cypress Landing Marina Association members. … It turned out the sailing school needed a new venue, and we decided to step up,” Burke said.

Kevin Clancy, director of LWSS, said the formerly named Dog Days Regatta was held at Broad Creek Marina in years past, but for various reasons, organizers needed a new venue for this year’s event.
“I think it’ll sort of raise the community awareness. In the past, Dog Days was a great event, but there wasn’t any real spectator room. But we’re going to do this in Chocowinity Bay. We’ll be able to have family and friends watching the event,” Clancy said.

Burke said the values of CLMA are congruent with the values of LWSS, and that’s part of the reason why the association decided to step up and host the event. Burke said it’s a continuity of the desire to help the community.

“Our group of people totally believes in volunteering and the spirit of this organization. Teaching kids how to be safe on the water and learn the right skills. It was a perfect match. We’re excited about it,” Burke said.

Burke also said the event will be a picnic-style setting. The marina offers an area where spectators can watch the race from the shoreline.

The race will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday and is open to the public. Cypress Landing Marina is located at 100 Marina Road in Chocowinity.