2025 Lakeside Yacht Club Regatta Cancelled

Regatta Update from Commodore Rob Ruhlman   – July 13, 2025  

The Summer is sailing by all too quickly for my tastes, but I guess that must mean I’m having fun! Well, certainly most of the time I am.

We can all see the construction of the bike path proceeding, albeit not as quickly as we had been promised and certainly had hoped. Nevertheless, I do believe our strategy of “getting them in and out” will benefit us in the long run, and I very much appreciate the efforts of Vice Commodore Mike Cunningham, Rear Commodore Adam Ressler, and Fleet Captain Greg Vittardi in staying on top of this project.

Unfortunately, although we continue our best efforts to limit the effect of the project on the Club, it is not without certain downsides and impact. After much discussion and deliberation, it has been decided that due to the restricted traffic flow, the inability to efficiently provide for off-site, overflow parking, and uncertainty regarding the timing of the impact on our entranceway, the best course of action is to cancel the Lakeside Regatta for this year.

Hosting a regatta is more than just inviting friends over for a weekend soirée; I also view it as a marketing tool. We certainly want our guests to enjoy themselves during the event, but we also want them to consider joining us as members one day. The complications posed by the construction do not allow us to present ourselves in the best possible light, at the very least.

The Regatta will return next year in a fashion fitting its return to the I-LYA calendar and, more importantly, as a fundraiser for Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital! Preformed Line Products, which annually matches the money raised by the Club during this event, will be donating RB&C this year in the Regatta’s name.

Sailors, please also be aware that we are looking forward to scheduling the Gulden / McCarty race later this season. For those who are unaware or new to the Club, this trophy is awarded annually during the Regatta to the winner of Sunday’s distance race and is in honor of longtime members of Lakeside and supporters of Lake Erie racing, George & Kathy Gulden and Don & Kay McCarty.