Setting Sail For The Hospice Southeastern Connecticut

Sails will dot Long Island Sound this Saturday as the Mystic River Mudhead Sailing Association holds their Annual Benefit Regatta and MegaParty.

Last year over 500 people participated in either the regatta or mega party raising thousands of dollars to support the Hospice Southeastern Connecticut and the Mudheads are expecting a similar turnout this year.

The takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 16, 2011 followed by the megaparty at at 5 p.m.

“It really is a community-minded event and it is great to see everyone come together for a great cause,” said Courtney Moore of .

The Mudheads formed in 1976 as way for locals to share their passion for sailboat racing and have been hosting a benefit regatta for the past 15 years. For the past few years the regatta has benefited the Hospice Southeastern Connecticut, because according to Moore the group, which had raised money for other organizations in the past wanted to go with a more local charity in order to help families in their own community.

“Hospice programs are wonderful for those facing end of life, and having experienced the dedication of Hospice care providers, I can personally say that it takes an incredible human being to provide the services and care that they do,” Moore said.

It’s not just the Hospice Southeastern Connecticut the regatta benefits, though; as a certified Clean Regatta the Mudhead race also protects the sound and all those who enjoy it.

Certified by Sailors for the Sea as a Clean Regatta the Mudhead Benefit Race is required according to Moore, to disqualify any boat observed discharging trash into the water, provide recycling containers on shore and encouraging their use, include a list of non-toxic cleaning products in each skipper’s packet, and keep the shore clean of debris.

“We are committed to running our race as cleanly as we can,” said Bob Austin-LaFrance, Mudhead board member and past commodore. “By signing up as a Silver Level Clean Regatta, we hope to create a focus for sailors in southeastern Connecticut for keeping our oceans and shorelines healthy.”  

The Mudhead Sailing Association hopes the regatta will raise funds and attention to Hospice Southeastern Connecticut and also awareness of the local environment.

There is no registration fee for the regatta and racers can register online at www.mudhead.org until 6 p.m., Friday, July 15. At 11 a.m. Saturday the Spinnakers classes race around Seaflower reef followed by the Cruisers at Horseshoe Reef. The megaparty at Mystic Shipyard in West Mystic costs $20 per person, which includes an open bar, food donated from area restaurants, a Lewmar winch contest, Rock N Soul revue and a chance to purchase raffle tickets. Anyone who cannot attend but wishes to donate should visit www.hospicesect.org.