Second Annual Jeffrey Adam Memorial Regatta Shaping Up for March

Submitted by Valerie Rhodes:

The Jeffrey Adam Memorial Regatta will be held Sunday, March 10 during the 42nd Anniversary Festival of Whales in Dana Point Harbor.

The regatta is being planned by local sailor Liz Fletcher to honor her friend Jeff, a Dana Hills High grad, who died unexpectedly in June 2011 shortly after being diagnosed with meningitis. The Dana Point Youth Charitable Foundation established by the Adam family and Dana Point Yacht Club are co-hosting the event.

Both Jeff and Liz learned to sail in Dana Point through the Mariners Sea Scouts program, Westwind Sailing, and the Dana Point Yacht Club, and both competed in many sailing events in the area. Fletcher staged the inaugural regatta last year as her community service project to achieve the rank of Quartermaster in her Mariners Sea Scout program. Her goal was to share Jeff’s passion for sailing and teaching others to sail.

The regatta will be open to youth and adults who wish to race either competitively or just for fun. Sabots, Lasers and 420s will be some of the classes of boats on the water. Spectators are invited to watch from the shore or from free spectator boats. Proceeds from the regatta will benefit the Dana Point Youth Charitable Foundation, which supports youth sailing in Dana Point Harbor.

The regatta will be followed by an evening awards ceremony and buffet dinner at Dana Point Yacht Club.  Regatta entrance fees are $30 which includes a commemorative bracelet, lunch, and a buffet dinner. Racing begins at 11 a.m. and dinner will be served at 4:30 p.m. Dinner is open to the public and tickets can be purchased for $20.  Raffle prizes and presentation of the Jeffrey Adam Perpetual Sailing Award are part of the planned festivities. Registration and dinner tickets can be purchased online at www.DPYC.org/juniors.htm.