Swampscott Yacht Club To Host North American Championship Regatta

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — A world-class regatta is coming to the waters of the North Shore this summer as the Swampscott Yacht Club hosts the 2023 US WASZP Class Association North American Championships.

The event, which the SYC will host in partnership with the Eastern Yacht Club of Marblehead, will run from Aug. 3 through Aug. 6.

Registration for the event is now open for youth and adult sailors.

"Swampscott Harbor and the arena-like Nahant Bay is the perfect location to host the North American Championship," said Zaak Beekman, WASZP USA’s North American Search Committee Chair, in a statement to Patch. "With WASZP racing on the rise in the U.S. and with Massachusetts — particularly the North Shore, being home to many sailors, choosing Swampscott was a natural fit."

Beekman said the WASZP is a 3.4-meter monohull one-design hydro foiling sailing dinghy designed by Andrew McDougall and built by McConaghy Boats starting in 2016. In 2017, it was named Best One-Design by Sailing World’s Boat of the Year Awards.

WASZP dinghies are made for both adult and youth sailors and can reach a top speed of 24 knots (27.5 mph).

"Since 1933, the Swampscott Yacht Club has been home to boaters and fishermen alike," SYC Commodore Chris Bendickson said in a release. "Having the opportunity to host WASZP sailors this summer is something we are looking forward to. Our harbor is beautiful, and with excellent sailing conditions and warmer waters in August, we anticipate a successful series of races."

Race Committee Chair Christopher Lubeck and Executive Race Officer Susie Schneider lead Eastern's highly regarded Race Committee which is known for providing race management to world and national championships.

WASZP said Eastern's expertise and leadership will ensure that the WASZP sailors enjoy the highest possible quality of racing.

A full list of events, race times and days, and other details will be announced soon.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)