2026 J-24 and E Scow nor’Easter & Ensign Midwinter Regatta

About

The nor’Easter Regatta, nee Easter Regatta, has a 60-year history at the Columbia Sailing Club. Originally sailed in E scows, it transitioned to J/24s in 1987.  The regatta was famously popular as attendance roared past 50 boats during the 1990s. Die-hard J/24 lovers carried momentum into the new millenium -- still with 40 boat fleets -- but the regatta coasted into headwinds during the 20-teens when attendance dropped into the 20s and below. The regatta moved away from Easter weekend to “some weekend in March” and one or more other classes were added, off and on, to reinforce the finances. Easter Regatta became the nor’Easter – “Not-Our-Regular” Easter Regatta.

For 2026, CSC intends to shine up this historic event and recover some of the regatta’s glory, working towards a crescendo in 2027 where, in the year of the J/24's 50^th birthday, we will celebrate 40 years of racing J/24s at this event.  For those who reminisce of Beer Slides at Jimmies Bar or long nights of music and drink at Billy Ray’s barn, well, I’m afraid we can’t bring back those particular things. But we will fearlessly offer the longtime promise of three days of racing in sparking spring waters, endless Southern hospitality, and almost without fail – “one day of sun-your-buns sailing, one day of screamin’ reaches, wipeouts, and spray in the face, and one day of good steady wind” *.  And Easter eggs. Lots of (early) Easter eggs.

We look forward to the springtime arrival of J/24 sailors, E scow sailors, and Ensign sailors to rebuild the legacy of this regatta. Our goal for J/24 participation in 2027 is 31 boats, to equal the original 1987 fleet. Let’s make good progress towards that goal in 2026.

* verbatim from the 2002 NOR