Skidaway Island Boating Club and Yacht Club of Hilton Head Island Host Sixth Annual Hook Ocean Race

Light winds and beautiful clear skies provided the perfect setting on September 18 for the Sixth Annual Hook Ocean Race sponsored by Skidaway Island Boating Club and the Yacht Club of Hilton Head Island.

The course started in Calibogue Sound off Hilton Head Island, headed south past Tybee Island, and then headed up Wassaw Sound, ending at Landings Harbor Marina on Skidaway Island.  Winners from The Landings Sailing Club were Bonnie Blue (Doug Powelson, David Bacon, Wilton Shinall, Steve Terrio) - J/24 Class First Place; Gone with the Wind (Ryan Doyle, Sophus Schanche, Ed Zimmer, Seth Hildebrand) - J/24 Class Second Place; and Grand Cru (Todd Williams, Brian & Hanna Burtnik, Peter Kovacs, A J Goldman) - Non-Spinnaker Class First Place. 

The Hook Race is the only open ocean water sailing event in the Low Country.  While many area boat clubs host annual regattas in inland waterways, the Hook offers the opportunity to compete in open ocean waters for several hours, which historically was a large part of sailboat racing. 

“Despite the ongoing challenging times we are all facing, we were so pleased to host the Hook Race again this year, bringing together our regional sailing community for an exciting day on the water, and bringing attention to the great coastal resources and the waterfront activities that we enjoy here year-round,” noted Doug Powelson, Race Chair. 

SIBC is extremely grateful to the sponsors of the 2021 Hook Ocean Race:

• Premier Sponsor: Berkshire Hathaway Bay Street Realty
• Distinguished Sponsor: Chatham Parkway Lexus
• Contributing Sponsors: Sound View Wealth Advisors, Craftmasters Construction Company, Hinckley Yacht Services, Sailor’s Nautical Services, Advanced Metal Components, Carefree Boat Club of The Landings
• In-Kind Sponsors: Coastal Conservation Association, Harbour Town Yacht Club, and The Landings Harbor Marina

Pictured left to right is Rob and Reba Laramy, Lee Carroll, SIBC Founding Director; Laurie Sattler, SIBC Vice Commodore, and Doug Powelson.

Competitors in the Low Country Hook Ocean Race ride high on the approach to the finish line at Landings Harbor Marina.  

A big red spinnaker catches the ocean breeze during a past Low Country Hook Ocean Race, where competitors sailed from Hilton Head, around Tybee Island and back up to the Wilmington River to Landings Harbor Marina.