Friday, July 24 dawned cloudy and cool, but cleared out nicely for the Callahan Regatta hosted by the Bay Head Yacht Club. This annual event is typically held on the fourth Friday in July, and is now in its 12th year. With more than 60 boats participating, including sailors from as far away as Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the 2009 regatta was the most well-attended since its inception. Of particular note was the addition this year of the M-Scow fleet, with an impressive 12 boats participating. Other classes represented included A-Cat’s, Marshall Sanderlings, Sandpipers and Barnegat Bay Sneakboxes. The Sandpiper fleet was represented by 30 boats, which is a record number of participants for this class at any regatta. Even sailors who do not normally sail a Sandpiper jumped into a boat and made Sandpiper history, including such notables as Will Demand, Had Brick, Peter Wright, Billy Warner and Carl Horrocks. Boat builder Geoff Marshall was on hand to sail a brand new Marshall Sanderling. Sailors from Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club in Landings, NJ also made the trip ‘down the shore’ to sail on the massive A-Cat, ‘Vapor.’ These seasoned sailors typically sail A-Class Catamarans, and all had a blast sailing the ‘other A-Cat.’
The day started out with a sailors seminar, which is a unique aspect to any regatta. The seminars are an informal gathering of boating enthusiasts who speak on a variety of topics related to sailing. This year, Betsy Allison, a world-renowned sailor who grew up ‘on the bay’ not only spoke at the seminar but sailed a Sandpiper with her niece. Other guest speakers included John Applegate (LYC), Carl Horrocks (TRYC) and Geoff Marshall from South Dartmouth, MA. 
At the awards presentation that afternoon special trophies were awarded to Anne Edwards for her husband Rod’s contribution to sailing, the Studdiford Trophy presented to Tim Brown (SPYC) for first place in the Sneakbox, the Gail and Jim Dunn Trophy to Paul Gelenitis (MCYC) for placing first in the Sandpiper class and the Callahan Perpetual Trophy to Betsy Allison (MCYC). A check for $2009 was presented to Team Barnegat for their 2012 Olympic campaign and was accepted by Carl Horrocks. The Callahan Regatta is open to both sailors and non-sailors alike are all are invited to attend. The regatta next year is scheduled for Friday, July 23, 2010. Hope to see you then. Final scores for the day are: A-Cat 1st Spyder – Peter Saya (SPYC) 2nd Torch – John Brady (Phila. Seaport) 3rd – Ghost – Bill Fortenbaugh (BHYC) M-Scows 1st – John Applegate (LYC) 2nd – Molly Lucas (BHYC) 3rd – Mark Lewis (MYC) B-Cat 1st – Betsy Davis (LYC) 2nd – Hank Bristol (BHYC) 3rd – John Bers (BHYC) Sandpipers 1st – Paul Gelenitis (MCYC) 2nd – Will Demand – (TRYC) 3rd – Peter Chance (MYC) Sandpiper Masters Connie Pilling (MYC) All Women’s Crew Betsy Allison (MCYC) Sneakboxes 1st – Tim Brown (SPYC) 2nd – Eric Wagoner (MCYC) 3rd – Todd Nosher (SPYC)
Regatta Report, from Mike Gruber of LHYC:
Ten Lake Hopatcong sailors visited Bay Head Yacht Club on Friday for the John Callahan Classic Boat Regatta, held at Bay Head Yacht Club at the Jersey Shore. The regatta had over 100 Classic Boats, represented by A-Cats (monohull Cat Boats), Sanderlings, Sandpipers, Sneakboxes and M-Scows, and was run by Scott Callahan (a Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club A-Cat Catamaran sailor ) and his family. The morning festivities included guest sailing speakers John Applegate, Betsy Allison, and Geoff Marshall, followed by three light-medium air races in the afternoon.
Tom and Sarah Wiss represented the E-Scow fleet from LHYC, and sailed a 1960s-vintage M-Scow with very good success.
Representing the A-Cat catamarans from LHYC, were "Team Lennox"----Peter Block, Andy Burdett, Mike Gruber, Rob Gruber, Bernie Hefele, Dean Lennox, Charlie Oberman, and John Seitz. We sailed on Peter Kellogg's beautiful Cat-Boat "Vapor", and surprisingly took third place overall in our division of six boats. The old guard was very surprised with our success, especially from our experience as single-handed catamaran sailors. Lots of penalty turns, and lots of confusion, but a great time.
Below are some photos of the event, taken by Mike Gruber.
