Annual Event Brings Crowds, Sun, and Sailing

On the first weekend after Labor Day, the Santa Barbara Yacht Club (SBYC) members gathered for the 19th year to raise funds in support of VNA Health’s mission of caring with compassion. The Charity Regatta took place on Saturday, September 9, 2023, celebrating both VNA’s 121st year history of compassionate caring as well as the Santa Barbara Yacht Club entering its 151styear as the second oldest yacht club on the West Coast! In full celebratory mood, the club house was festooned with banners, flags, and balloons to host one of Santa Barbara’s most important (and well-attended) charity events of the year. 

The Charity Regatta had its premiere in 2005 with 35 boats participating to raise $50,000. The success and popularity of the event attracted nearly double the number of participants the following year. The Regatta continued to expand and grow over almost 20 years into the all-day immersive experience that it is today. Unfortunately, the event had to be shelved for two years as a result of the Coronavirus restrictions, however, the pandemic didn’t stop SBYC members from successfully raising funds on behalf of VNA Health’s mission that has touched so many lives in the Santa Barbara community. The community’s charitable spirit shone through once again this year as the Yacht Club hosted this fun day of sailboat racing, camaraderie… and fundraising. 

Helmed by Co-Chairs Staff Commodore Francie Lufkin and Nick Sebastian, this year’s Regatta began with a mimosa-sprinkled buffet brunch after which emcee David Moorman called the attendees to gather for the Opening Ceremony. SBYC 2023 Commodore David Sadecki welcomed his guests and thanked the hard-working volunteers of both VNA and the Yacht Club. He then introduced VNA Health’s President and CEO Kieran Shah. “This is such an amazing event and an example of a long-time partnership for the benefit of so many and it’s so great to be together outdoors and on the water again. The Charity Regatta Committee have demonstrated the Yacht Club’s continued commitment to support the health and well-being of our community, making this charitable event for VNA Health one of the largest and most successful in Santa Barbara!” 

In conclusion emcee Moorman announced that the Spectator Boats were ready to accommodate those who wished to view the race from the water. For those landlubbers who preferred the comfort of the shore, the Palapa Bar at the beach was open along with a variety of activities accompanied by the music of David Felder’s band. Even SBYC member and Santa Barbara’s mayor, Randy Rowse, couldn’t resist attending despite a mid-day mayoral obligation. And that’s the kind of event this was! 

Each year a group of Celebrity Skippers are named in recognition of their dedication to caring. This year SBYC chose to honor the Palliative Care Professionals from VNA Health, Cottage Hospital, and the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center. Palliative Care strives to improve quality of life for patients and their families who are facing life-threatening illnesses. It offers relief of suffering by addressing physical, psychosocial, and spiritual concerns through clinical assessment and pain and symptom management. The 2023 Regatta also included a Memorial Boat Tribute during which fresh flowers were cast into the sea in memory of departed loved ones, a ceremony instituted in 2021 as a result of the pandemic.

“Despite the ups and downs of the pandemic and the uncertainties brought about by climate change, VNA has maintained and increased its charitable community programs such as Serenity House, the Loan Closet, community and palliative care, music therapy, and bereavement services,” observed co-chair Lufkin. “For the last 19 years the Yacht Club has hosted this event as our way to give back to an organization that has touched so many lives.” She credited the Charity Regatta committee – all members of the SBYC Women – and VNA staff including Lailan McGrath, VNA Health Foundation Director, and Easter Moorman, Development Director, for the extraordinary teamwork needed to make the event the success that it was. 

After a delicious BBQ feast the guests gathered for the results of the race and the presentation of a $186,200 check for the benefit of VNA Health, the most ever raised in the Charity Regatta’s existence. The winners of the yacht race included, in PHRF Kent Pierce and Jon Bell’s Mocos; in CHRF Peter Candy’s Blue Tango;and in J/70 the Tunbergs’ Namaste. The event ended with the happy, but exhausted, guests knowing that this was one awesome day!