National boat race held on Tenmile Lake this weekend

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Story Published: Jul 10, 2008 at 10:46 PM PST

By Kristina Nelson

LAKESIDE - It's a regatta with a long history in the United States, and this weekend, it's being held in Lakeside.

The 2008 San Juan 21 Western Nationals, sponsored by the Coos Bay Yacht Club kicks off Friday on Tenmile Lake, featuring 30 boats from all over the west.

"Every year the race is moved between California, Oregon and some place in the Northwest. This was Oregon's turn to sponsor the race," says Nationals Chairperson John Richards.

There are three San Juan Nationals held in different regions of the country every year including the Southeast, Midwest and here in the Pacific Northwest.

"For a national event, the boat has to qualify and you have to be a member of the national association. Other than that anyone can participate," says Washington resident and sailor Wes Vaughn.

The boat featured in the race is what is known as a San Juan 21.

First built by a family in the San Juan Islands in Washington in the 1970s, production of the vessel ended in the mid-1980s, but fans never stopped their desire to sail them.

"The reason they're still around is they're so much fun to sail. Real great performance, enough space to camp in and they're cheap to sail," says North Carolina resident and sailor Mark Weinheimer.

Three races will be held Friday and two on Saturday, with boats featured in two classes, the "All Sails" and "Working Sails."

Regatta organizers and the sailors themselves say this one of the better places to race.

"This lake is somewhat unique. We get a lot of shifting winds as opposed to a constant wind. The way the weather is this week, a lot of gusts, which adds to the excitement," says Richards.

At the end of the weekend the boat with the best race record will win.

While not everyone will come out on top, most sailors agree, it's just a fun way to test out their skills on the water.

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