2/7-8/26 - A Surprisingly Windy, Exciting Regatta in Morro Bay 

Wind conditions were predicted to be just 5–6 knots both Saturday and Sunday, so it was quite a surprise when, on Saturday morning, hats were flying off in the parking lot. Conditions grew even windier over the next two hours, resulting in quite a few capsizes in the fleet. It proved to be excellent racing conditions, though—sailors were challenged and having the time of their lives.

Morro Bay, located just northwest of San Luis Obispo, is a truly interesting venue. The iconic Morro Rock—a remnant of a long-extinct volcano—looms in the distance. The race course itself presents unique challenges, as it must be set up around the numerous keelboats tethered in the narrow bay. In addition, just west of the race course, the water becomes so shallow that the three-foot centerboards of the FJ boats can get stuck in the sand. These obstacles—along with the current—only add to the excitement of the racing.

The wind completely died around 3 p.m., and the final JV A race of the day was scrapped when it became impossible to move around the course. The boats were packed up with hopes that stronger wind would return on Sunday. One of the favorite traditions of the Mustang Regatta is that the SLO team treats everyone to dinner immediately after racing. Sailors enjoyed burgers and chips while refueling for the next day.

Sunday, thankfully, brought strong gusts once again and another day of exciting racing. For some sailors, it was their first regatta. They rose to the challenge of the demanding conditions, and overall, the team performed very well.

Racing concluded around 2 p.m. for JV and 3 p.m. for Varsity. The team packed up quickly and headed home, already looking forward to next year’s Mustang Regatta.