The Salt Spring Island Sailing Club will welcome sailors from around the world for an International Flying 15 Regatta from June 5 to 7, 2026. The three-day event on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, has attracted experienced racers from Hong Kong, Australia, and possibly New Zealand after local club members competed in overseas regattas earlier this year.
According to the Salt Spring Island Sailing Club, the regatta is the result of connections made when several Salt Spring Island sailors travelled to Hong Kong and Australia during the winter. The event is listed on the Flying Fifteen International championship schedule as an official FFI Canada Regatta, putting Salt Spring Island alongside events in the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Mallorca, and Australia.
The Flying 15 is a 15-foot racing keelboat sailed competitively in many countries. The Salt Spring fleet has grown quickly since April 2024, when member Jill Oakes started the program after trying one of the boats owned by longtime club member Lawrie Neish. The fleet now has more than 50 members, with boats donated from Tasmania and Perth, Australia.
Racing will start each day at 10:00 a.m., with a skipper and crew meeting at 9:45 a.m. and sportsmanship presentations at 3:30 p.m. Loaner boats and free billeting have been arranged for international visitors. Spectators can watch from the committee boat or F-Dock, and the club is looking for volunteers to help with race committee boats, towing boats to the start line, and on-shore support.
Anyone interested in volunteering can email [email protected].
