Upper Keys Sailing Club

The Upper Keys Sailing Club has a strong tradition of annual regattas, spread out in our "busy" sailing season from November through April. Most two day regattas include a day of Portsmouth racing on Saturday and PHRF racing on Sunday. We also hold Portsmouth and PHRF series throughout the year. Here are our traditional Regattas held every year, along with our newer one-design and invitational regattas!

DOCKMASTERS REGATTA - November 5 - 6, 2011. The DOCKMASTERS REGATTA celebrates our Dockmasters every year! Our Dockmasters are our club caretakers, bartenders, clubhouse managers, and hosts/hostesses for our regattas. Every dockmaster couple leaves their own distinct mark on our club, and this is their regatta and their chance to shine. Last year we had a boat building contest out of recycled materials - who knows what Guy and Sallie will come up with for this year? Dockmasters Regatta winners are immortalized with their names on the perpetual trophy, which has a proud place right over the bar.

LADIES UPPER KEYS INVITATIONAL (LUKI) - November 12, 2011. The LUKI, as it is affectionately known, is a Portsmouth race for the women sailors in the club. In past years, all women sailed club boats in one design, whichever that might be that year. In recent years, it's become more of a Portsmouth class, and has included clinics and "learn to sail" for women in the community who are interested in trying it out. This year, LUKI Regatta Chair is hoping once more to invite women from the Keys and South Florida to participate in clinics and then race in two flights, novice and experienced.

BLACK BETSY - November 19, 2011. The Black Betsy is a destination race for PHRF boats, out to the Black Betsy Keys south and west of the UKSC. Often, cruising boats will race out and then raft up to enjoy a night on the hook.

HOBIE WAVE NATIONALS - December 2 - 4, 2011. Returning to the UKSC after several years' absence, the Hobie Wave Nationals attract over 50 boats from all over the United States to race these catamarans.

FLAIL & SAIL - December 17, 2011. Golf one day - sail the next! This fun regatta combines a best-ball golf tournament on Saturday with a PHRF Race on Sunday. The scoring requires multiple calculators and some witchcraft. A very fun time is always had by all, even the non golfers and non sailors in the club!

DEAD DOGS & TIN WHISTLES - January 15 & 16, 2012. This is a two-design dinghy regatta for Buccaneers and Mutineers. It started as an invitation to a Fleet Captain Regatta in 2008 and developed a life of its own! Buccs and Mutts from all over the USA escape their wintry homes and come to Key Largo to enjoy a weekend of wind and camaraderie.

COMMODORE'S REGATTA - January 21 & 22, 2012. Celebrating the current and past Commodores, this regatta is always well attended. A great regatta dinner is always included! This is one of the Club's older regattas, and has a Perpetual trophy.

FLEET CAPTAIN'S REGATTA - February 11 & 12, 2012. Our Fleet Captains are responsible for the racing program at the club, so they get their own regatta too! Another of our traditional regattas with its own Perpetual Trophy on our clubhouse wall.

KEY LARGO CATBOAT REGATTA - February 18 & 19, 2012. A NEW regatta, for catboats of all sizes! This regatta is still being finessed, but the catboat owners of the Upper Keys Sailing Club cordially invite all catboat sailors to come visit, race, and enjoy the hospitality of the UKSC. See the flyer!

FORCE FIVE MIDWINTER CHAMPIONSHIPS - February 23 - 25, 2012. For several years, the Upper Keys Sailing Club has proudly hosted the Force Five Class Association Midwinters. These dinghy sailors race hard and play hard - one of their awards is for the biggest bar bill!

MARLIN CUP - March 10 & 11, 2012. One of our oldest regattas, the Marlin Cup races are held on the Oceanside. Previous regattas were for only one day, but a few years ago a second day of racing was added. This is a PHRF race.

GLANDER CUP - March 17 & 18, 2012. This regatta is the ultimate Upper Keys Sailing Club Holy Grail! Our oldest, most prestigious regatta creates some great competition amongst the PHRF boats at the Club. Racing is held oceanside, with a celebratory Glander Cup Dinner on Saturday night. The winner skipper and crew of the Glander Cup enjoy a champagne toast, drunk out of the Glander Cup itself.

PRESIDENT'S CUP - April 7, 2012. Named for the woman President of TIB Bank in the first year of this regatta, this PHRF race is for women skippers and crew. Men can crew but they must obey the skipper's commands, which usually means they serve on race committee instead!

TIB/CAPITAL BANK - April 14 & 15, 2012. The Islamorada Bank, nicknamed the TIB Bank, had sponsored this regatta since about 1988. Last year, TIB Bank was bought by Capital Bank, who will be sponsoring the 2012 Regatta. Portsmouth racing is on Saturday, PHRF racing is on Sunday.