If you live along the Milford shoreline, or near enough to have a view of the water, you are sure to know that the best evening to invite your friends over for dinner or drinks is any Thursday night from May to September. Why? Because on Thursdays the Milford Windjammers Sailing Club provides you and your guests with a stunning and dynamic backdrop as its members enjoy their weekly Thursday Night Series sailboat race.
Sometimes, as few as four and as many as 40 sailboats will be tacking back and forth between Milford Point and Charles Island, jockeying for position for the start of the race. Often the most exciting part to witness is the start, which brings all the boats close together as they try to be the first across the imaginary starting line that runs between a buoy and a committee boat. Once the starting gun sounds, those watching from shore will have about an hour to enjoy the picturesque scene as the boats spread out and head along their course. The Windjammers Thursday Night Series sailboat races are certainly a unique bit of Milford local color.
According to Bruce Kuryla, who served as Windjammers’ Commodore in l997 and again in 2008, the Thursday Night Series is one of the club’s most popular events.
“It’s a low-key way to enjoy sailing and racing with friends and family,” Kuryla said. “No handicaps are taken and the races aren’t scored. It’s just for fun.”
Brian Williams, last season’s Commodore, concurs.
“It provides easy access to sailboat racing,” he said. “It’s inexpensive to join and there are very experienced sailors in the club. This affords people who are interested in sailing—racing in particular—the opportunity to come and learn from people who are friendly, willing to teach, and competitive.”
In addition to the Thursday Night Series, Windjammers also hosts three Eastern Connecticut Offshore Circuit Races including the Pierce Invitational Regatta, The Overnight Invitational Regatta, and The Last Chance Regatta. It also hosts a member’s-only Commodore’s Cup, co-hosts a Columbus Day Regatta with the Milford Yacht Club, New Haven Yacht Club, and Housatonic Boat Club, and offers members the opportunity to participate in a number of invitational regattas hosted by other sailing clubs up and down the Connecticut coast.
The organization dates back to 1943 and, according to the group’s website (www.windjammers.org) it claims to offer “more sailing events on and off the water than any other organization in the Long Island Sound area.” In case someone is not a sailor but likes to be around the water, the group has “plenty of non-sailors” who just enjoy the social aspect of the club. There is something fun for just about anyone. Land-lubber club members can also enjoy Windjammers get-togethers, barbecues, and other social gatherings which take place at local restaurants or on the grounds of Milford Boat Works, Port Milford, or the Milford Yacht Club.
Another favorite Windjammers event is The Annual Port Jefferson Race and Rendezvous, which involves a spirited race from Milford to Port Jeff. The race is followed by a cookout on the beach, complete with family-friendly games and activities. Last year approximately 30 boats and 140 people participated in this unique and popular Windjammers tradition.
“It’s a great time,” Kuryla said. “A really good race followed by a really great party!”
Everyone involved in Windjammers seems to agree that the best thing about the club is the people and the friendships that are made around their common love of sailing.
“The club offers real camaraderie by allowing people to hook into this great network of sailors,” Veteran member Candace McGovern said.
The club is what Kuryla calls “a paper club; we have no clubhouse to maintain so we can be affordable to everyone.”
There are myriad configurations of sailing crews to be found in the club—husbands and wives, parents and children, lifelong friends, and even some who start out as strangers but become friends. Member Brian Williams thinks the membership should try to develop the interest of the youth who sail.
“We need more young folks in the club. Sailing is a great family sport, and we need to recruit younger sailors,” Williams said.
Whether it is a weekend regatta, a “Women at the Helm” race, a beach barbecue, or just a friendly Thursday night competition, the Windjammers Club has something to offer to anyone who loves to sail or who is eager to give it a try. If you prefer to stay on shore, be sure to head to the beach some Thursday night; you are sure to love the view!
—Nancy Herman
