Essex Regatta 1960

I’m feeling at once nostalgic and eagerly anticipatory — reflecting on Rosslyn’s storied history of waterfront activities AND looking forward to this summer’s swimming, boating, and watersports — as we glide out of May and into June. So today, so we will take a look at the 11th Annual Essex Regatta as showcased in a cover article and photograph on the front page of the Valley News on August 26, 1960.

What maritime merriment! Even in that imperfectly preserved photograph you can sense the excitement. I’m reminded of previous posts about long ago Essex Regattas (ie. Essex Regatta 1950s?, Artifacts & Ephemera: Regattas & Ferries, Framing Vintage Artifacts) and these words prompted by an artifact gifted by Essex neighbor Christine Herrmann.

I am long fond of vintage boats and especially keen on vintage photographs of the summer celebrations that drew boaters and spectators from many miles away to the north shore of Essex Village half a century ago. Although I never experienced the Essex Regattas, I can almost summon up the excited cheers, the starting horns, the healing sailboats, the grinning water skiers, and the roaring speedboats from photographs and newsclippings. I keep hoping that I will stumble across an old home movie of the Essex Regattas, but, until then, imagination (and the generosity of others) will serve me well. (Source: Essex Regatta 1950s?)

Absent that much fantasized film footage, I share with you another artifact, a newspaper article that zooms in our focus on an August day in 1960.

Here’s the article in more legible format.

11TH ANNUAL ESSEX REGATTA

The 11th Annual Essex Regatta was held at the Sherwood Inn Dock in Essex, New York on Sunday, August 21, 1960. The weather was favorable for all the events except the sailboats. There wasn’t any wind at the start, but a light north wind came up after a few boats had rounded the first buoy. A large group of water skiers from Burlington, Vermont, and Rouses Point, New York, competed for trophies in three classes; Junior Men, Intermediate Men, and Veteran Men. These same three classes were for Women Skiers also.

Outboards and Hydros were well represented with six boats competing in each group for first place honors. Seven boats entered and finished the Predicted Log Cruise. The cruise was approximately 20 miles long, and took the boats over a course that started from Sloop Island off the Vermont shore north to Juniper Ledge, and return to Essex, New York.

Hundreds of spectators lined the banks of the Lake at Essex, and from the lake spectators were on hand in boats of all lengths from fourteen feet to fifty.

Following the Regatta, a reception was held on the Sherwood Inn Terrace for the awarding of trophies. Mr. and Mrs. Croscup, owners of the Sherwood Inn, and sponsors of the Essex Regatta wish to thank all who participated and otherwise aided in making this year’s regatta a success. See sports page for list of winners. (Source: Valley News, Friday, August 26, 1960, Thirteenth Year, No. 30)

Find fodder for a nostalgic mind! And lest I celebrate Essex Regattas without properly observing an even older event hosted just south of us, I will conclude today’s post with a full-spread photo from the 34th Annual Westport Regatta that adorned the front page of the Valley News on September 2, 1960.