Summerset 2018 T-Shirt Artwork by Rodger Horton
Fifty-three years ago, some local sailors placed a classified ad in the local newspapers looking for “Anyone interested in racing sailboats from Fort Myers Beach to Naples”. That first race led to an annual event that sailors in SW Florida look forward to – known as the Summerset Regatta, and the birth of the racing program for Caloosahatchee Marching and Chowder Society (CMCS). Today sailors from Charlotte Harbor to Marco Island join in the fun of racing and cruising. Yachts race in Saturday’s buoy races and Sunday’s distance race(s) in the Gulf of Mexico off Fort Myers Beach.
The CMCS Summerset Regatta has a grand history as the oldest, continuous regatta in Southwest Florida. Over the years, we have raced, and partied, up and down the Gulf of Mexico coast. Although the venues have changed, the traditions have remained the same: buoy and distance races, social events and concluding with banquet Awards dinner. There are trophies, raffle prizes, lots of racing yachts, supportive cruising boats and sponsorships of all kinds, working together to make a great regatta. Summerset has always been a collaborative effort, with the end goal of making contributions to youth sailing and marine activities in SW Florida. In recent years we have seen our programs grow so that CMCS has been able to contribute nearly $100,000. to youth sailing programs through out SW Florida. Locally, in the Fort Myers/ Cape Coral area, we have instituted a Grant Fund with the Edison Sailing Center whereby we award grants to children to learn to sail and safe boating. We also support the Estero Bay Foundation and their education programs.
This year CMCS is proud to present the 53rd annual Summerset Regatta. The weekend of October 5th, 6th and 7th. A weekend full of fun events for the entire family including sailboat races, after race events and parties with opportunity to win fabulous raffle prizes and ending with the Awards Banquet dinner.
The Regatta’s off water events will be at Bonita Bills, The Nauti Parrot and Parrot Key Caribbean Grill at Salty Sam’s Marina, all Fort Myers Beach area. The proximity to restaurants and shopping promises convenience and opportunities for all participants and their families to enjoy during this fun-filled weekend. We have negotiated reduced rates for dockage for Summerset racing, and cruisers at Pink Shell and Salty Sam’s marina facilities.
We welcome everyone to our website and hope you will join us for the 53rd annual Summerset Regatta organized and hosted by the U.S. Sailing’s award-winning Caloosahatchee Marching and Chowder Society (CMCS). We hope to see each one of you for the 53rd Summerset Regatta – Oct. 5-7, 2018. Please let the committee members know how we can make your visit to Ft. Myers Beach & Summerset Regatta a really special event.
Fair Winds,
Beverly Duff
Commodore
Caloosahatchee Marching and Chowder Society (CMCS)
