North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years
By John Smithson
The 41st Intracoastal Christmas Regatta, like those before it, did not disappoint the thousands of spectators who lined the Intracoastal Waterway last Saturday evening.
It was a clear and cold evening for viewing a parade of spectacular-colored lights and creative designs on boats from 24 to 55 feet in length.
The Regatta began its waterway journey at Little River Inlet and ended at the Dock Holidays Marina. Along the way people lined the shore to cheer and react to the beautiful display and happy disposition of those on the “floats” of the parade.
The regatta was the brainstorm of the late Royce Watson, Susie Watson and Captain Poo McLauchlin who wanted to have a boat parade down the waterway to celebrate the Christmas season.
The tradition continued as it always has on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The other key part of the regatta was the Yachts for Tots program, started in the 1990s. Participants and spectators were encouraged to donate toys to collection boxes throughout the community to be distributed by regatta volunteers known as “elves.”
The toys and donations will be distributed to needy families around Christmas. Those donations are still encouraged and can be dropped off at any Yachts for Tots collection box.
The regatta entries are judged, and winners were named in four categories based on the size of the boat. This year DOGGIE Style was first in the 24-foot class. Scuba Blue took first place in boats 25-35 feet in length. GetaWay was the winner in boats 36-45 feet long. Wanderer was first in the 46–55-foot category. The overall winner of the regatta was MerSea.
