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Rags To Riches Regatta Returns to Grayton Beach June 30

June 14, 2018 by SoWal Staff

The 22nd edition of the annual Rags To Riches Regatta returns to Grayton Beach on Saturday, June 30th, 2018 in celebration of American Independence Day.

The small catamaran race is a tradition among SoWal sailors, families, friends, and Grayton Beach lovers. Come out to watch the regatta take off from the shores of Grayton Beach, have a cold one from Grayton Beer Company and pick up a tee shirt commemorating the 2018 Regatta. Relax and watch the colorful catamarans on the Gulf as they race to Seagrove Beach and back to Grayton.

Read about the history of the race >

Originally organized by the residences of Grayton Beach and Seagrove Beach, the annual tradition is a celebration of America’s Independence Day. Competitors, families and friends gather at the access behind the Red Bar to watch two-manned teams navigate 16’ Hobies in the race from Grayton Beach to Seagrove Beach. In addition to the action taking place on the Gulf of Mexico, onlookers can enjoy craft beer from Grayton Beer Company, merchandise for sale and more.

Race registration begins at 8:00 a.m. on the beach with a Captains' meeting at 11:00 a.m. and the race will begin soon after that. Entry fee, per Hobie is $45. The entrance to the event is at Grayton Dunes Access. The ADA accessible access, has freshwater showers, and parking on the street. Located at the end of Garfield Street behind the Red Bar in Grayton Beach, Florida.

Sponsorships are available for area businesses and individuals interested in supporting the events beneficiary, South Walton Artificial Reef Association. To date, sponsors include Grayton Coast Properties, Lululemon, Pinedale Enterprises, SoWal.com, Yellowfin Ocean Sports and YOLO.

For more information on how to get involved or to register a team in advance, please contact Chelsea@GraytonBeer.com or call (850) 231-4786.

PHOTO GALLERY: Rags To Riches Regatta 2016

PHOTO GALLERY: Rags to Riches Regatta 2017

"Everyone in Grayton Beach thought of themselves as poor," Charlie Thornton recalls, "and they went by 'rags.' The folks in Seagrove were all better off, so they went by 'riches.' So that year we called it the Rags to Riches Regatta. The next year we sailed from Seagrove to Grayton, and would call it Riches to Rags." read more at http://www.sowal.com/story/rags-to-riches-regatta-returns-to-grayton-beach.