The Dutch Shoe Marathon, summer’s iconic San Diego Yacht Club and Coronado Yacht Club tradition, calls locals and tourists to watch or partake in a day of Sabot sailing on July 19, 2019. Over 150 of both junior and senior sailors from Southern California yacht clubs race from SDYC to Coronado Yacht Club, a distance longer than many juniors will sail throughout the summer.
Junior Sailing Head Coach Molly Pleskus comments on the regatta. “The Dutch Shoe Marathon is a race for everyone. The high level, young and old racers looking to cross the line first, adults wanting to get back in a sabot for a bay cruise, and kids stocked up on candy for fun Friday sail. The Dutch shoe brings out new sailors and old for a fun and rewarding sailing tradition!”
Beginning in La Playa Cove at 1200, all competitors will sail down the San Diego Bay and finish in Glorietta Bay. Junior sailors typically participate between ages 8 and 15 while adults are invited to sail in the senior division. After the race, an awards ceremony will be held at Coronado Yacht Club.
The Dutch Shoe Marathon has been a tradition at SDYC for almost a half of a century, with the first DSM in 1973. The name of the regatta comes from the mainsail of the 8’ pram, designed in Long Beach, whose shape resembles a Dutch clog. Sabot means clog in Dutch. Every year, sailors of all generations gather or return to the Club for this rite of passage sail.
The 2018 overall winner was Coronado Yacht Club’s Max Olson, followed by Preston Miller in second and Alice Schmid in third.
The Dutch Shoe Regatta means no regular classes for SDYC’s award-winning Junior Summer Program as all coaches will escort the fleet down the bay. For junior sailors racing in the Dutch Shoe for their first time, this is a major accomplishment. New this year is the addition of the Doublehanded Award. Often at the Dutch Shoe Marathon, parents will join their young sailors in the sabot. Those two-person teams will now have an opportunity for a trophy.
SDYC’s Commodore Jerelyn Biehl is excited to co-host the Dutch Shoe Marathon this summer. “Sailing the Dutch Shoe is a rite of passage. It’s something you’re scared to do as a beginner, but a huge accomplishment once you reach Coronado. Sailing as an adult is equally as fun, being on the water with sailors of all ages for the epic crossing. SDYC is proud to continue this tradition for all sailors.”
If you would like to watch the race, it is recommended to do so from Shelter Island, Seaport Village and Glorietta Bay.