Register now for LOWISA 45

By: Bob Nuttall

While Old Man Winter has kept us from our home waters, planning has been going full steam ahead on plans for LOWISA 45. This year the theme is “Ya’ Gotta Regatta” to indicate not only the great fun to be had, but also to underscore the world class racing and the importance of this incredible experience.

LOWISA is truly an international event. The inaugural race, which was held in 1966, was organized by a dedicated group of American and Canadian sailing visionaries. It has been held the first week in August every year since that historic beginning and legitimately claims to be one of the mid-west’s oldest and most popular regattas.
The various committees will be updating the Website, www.lowisa.org, frequently so check in often. Please register early by using our new PayPal button feature. It is secure and easy for you and it is our pre-registration and payment preference. Pre-registration greatly reduces the administrative headaches and allows our racing committee to get a “leg-up” when it comes to fleet and divisional assignments. Left to the last minute this becomes a daunting and frustrating task, both for the committee and the participants who are left waiting for all those last minute details. Sailors who fail to pre-register can register at the Northern Harbour Boat Club on Sunday until 1600 hrs.

Through the generosity of numerous sponsors, and volunteer help, we’ve done a great deal to keep the event affordable. Racing Division pre-registration is set at $185.00. Cruising Division pre-registration is set at $125.00 and will be accepted up to June 1st. We have made every effort to keep registration costs down this year through generous sponsorship and volunteer efforts. Registration is at par; USD and CDN dollars will be treated as equal. Advance registration questions can be addressed to Commodore Fred Finlayson or Vice-Commodore Rob Eby at: saillowisa@gmail.com.

LOWISA WEAR clothing this year will include t-shirts that include all of the LOWISA pre-registered participants’ boat names, but if we don’t have your pre-registration, your boat name will be conspicuously absent from these keepsake t-shirts. Please register early. Completed registration forms can be hand delivered and the purchase of LOWISA GEAR can be made in the clubhouse at Northern Harbour from 1000 hrs through 1500 hrs. They will be available on our Website, www.lowisa.org, and should be filled out in advance with boat, owner and crew details.

Here’s a spring view of the exciting plans that are unfolding:

You’ll note that there has been a significant change to our traditional format. Many sailors told us that the seven day format was simply too long. For many, it made travel times problematic. So, for the first time ever, racing will start on Monday rather than Sunday. The final race for LOWISA points is on Friday with awards to be made that evening. If you’re towing to Kenora you need not arrive until Sunday, August 1st and could leave as early as the morning of Saturday, August 7th.

Sunday, August 1st events will start with much fanfare surrounding the annual Arctic Glacier Youth Dinghy Open Day Regatta. With a 1300 hr start young racers will sail from Royal Lake of the Woods Yacht Club. Registration is free and limited to those 18 years and under as of August 1st. Keeper and travelling trophies, free lunch and beverages are provided, through the generosity of our sponsors, Arctic Glacier and Pepsi of Kenora. Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions and Registration forms will be available from the LOWISA Website. Sunday is also the last day for provisioning and getting your boat ready in anticipation of Day One racing on Monday.

The festivities will be ramping up all day on Sunday with last minute boat detailing and crew chores. Plan on making your way up to the Northern Harbour Boat Club for the Skippers’ Meeting scheduled for 1800 hrs. Your Race Committee chairman will review the Sailing Instructions and address any addendums or questions from the floor. For first time participants we will be giving a “Local Lake Knowledge” seminar which will address communication, safety, navigation, hazards, buoys and emergencies on the water. We are once again fortunate enough to have the services of Ragamuffin as committee boat. Remember, all boats are required to carry VHF radios for emergency communications. Liability insurance is required and it is recommended that all participants have personal accident insurance such as Blue Cross.

It is also recommended that US participants investigate border crossing requirements in advance. It is our understanding that you will require only photo ID to get into Canada however, even though you are a US citizen, you will require a valid passport to get back into the USA. There are restrictions to entering Canada with respect to firearms, liquor quantities, criminal records, fruit, vegetables and meat. Shopping is convenient and the choices are very good in Kenora and if the US dollar is favourable, your US dollars will go further for you in Canada.

Accommodations range from camping on shore, using the comforts of your own boat, pre-arranging the rental of a houseboat or pre-booking lodges. There are a number of hotels and motels in Kenora which can provide pre and post accommodations. Reservations are recommended. The lodges are also a good source for dinner and the occasional breakfast. Most of the lodges employ the American Plan, but many will accept overnight, dinner and breakfast reservations. Participants should book in advance. Links to their Websites are provided.

We have made a conscious effort this year to keep the race near the northern reaches of beautiful Lake of the Woods. This will allow easy access to lodges, fuel, ice, and most importantly, pump out at Northern Harbour. No one should miss the event due to concerns about keeping their boat pumped out.

The prevailing winds in August are from the South. Temperatures are generally mild and the days sunny but the occasional cold front can bring high winds and chilly and wet weather. You should pack for all conditions. Sunglasses and sunscreen are essential.

Here are a few preliminary notes on the overnight stops in store for LOWISA sailors:

Day 1 - Our destination anchorage is Witch Bay at the east end of Andrew Bay. Andrew Bay is approximately 8 miles long and runs west to east which should provide for an excellent and lengthy reach. The day will provide all points of sail. Look for star anchoring if you’d like to join in. It’s easy and there will be plenty of help and directions from the boats which you will join. This is a great way to socialize.

Witch Bay has good anchor holding and there is good access to the shorelines for tenting. Witch Bay Lodge is 1 mile further east of the anchorage and has road access. Day 1 will take us from the built-up areas of the northern part of the lake to the unsettled wilderness.

Day 2 - This day will provide more of the Eastern Lake of the Woods and plenty of wilderness. Expect moderate southerlies which will give us a lengthy beat to weather for the first leg. We’ll be doing a loop; east-west-east for a finish at Moore bay. Moore bay has good clean water and no obstacles. This is another great opportunity for star anchoring and socializing. Tuesday night is Tequila Night. Bring your own Tequila and fixin’s (we’re working on a sponsor, so watch for an announcement). We’ve got a “bad” blender with a high speed gas engine that turns out a great drink. There are at least three different places to anchor in Moore Bay and it’s close to another American Plan Lodge. Look for a bonfire in the evening and bring your marsh mellows.

Day 3 - The start will be at 11:00 in order to give everyone a chance to stop at Northern Harbour Marina for fuel, ice and pump out. The overnight anchorage will be a spot the locals call 22 Foot Bay. It’s beautiful spot with a couple of pine studded islands and a nice sloping rock beach that provides a perfect setting for the annual, and very enjoyable Mt. Gay Pepsi Arctic Glacier Wilderness Adventure Party. This is a terrific event brought to us annually by its namesake sponsors. Be sure to bring your Mt. Gay hats and t-shirts for a group photo. (The most “used” hat and t-shirt wearer will receive an award.) This is a great event…don’t miss it.

Once again we are proximate to a lodge. Crow Rock Lodge backs onto 22’Bay and ice, restaurant services, and rooms can be booked in advance. Crow Rock has a friendly and welcoming lodge with a fun bar to unwind in.


Day 4 - Day four racing gets underway at 1000 hrs. We are southbound towards Sunset Channel and the familiar Donald Duck, Little Rope and Dead Broke Islands. We finish in the vicinity of Queen Island which is also our anchorage the evening. Crow Rock Lodge is again close by and nearby Micrometer Bay offers a safe, quiet alternate anchorage.

Queen Island is home to Howie the Turtle – our legendary host. Howie is a big snapping turtle and a green mossy growth on his hull; a testament to his long life. He is a turtle of simple pleasures, his favorite food being the hotdog.

This is Kids Night. Check the Website for information on the Scavenger Hunt, the Canadian Tire Fishing Derby and the bonfire.

Day 5 - The start area will be just north of the island in front of Micrometer Bay. We’ll head northward towards our ultimate destination, Northern Harbour. This will be a slightly shorter course where we will conclude the day with our Awards Banquet. Cocktails begin at 1700hrs with dinner and awards at 1800 hrs.

We have a gala closing event planned. The closing event kicks off at 2000 hrs and will be a celebration of Gary and Barb Hall’s 30th anniversary at the harbour. Gary and Barb contribute in so many ways to LOWISA year after year. Launching and loading boats, parking, banquet facilities and the list goes on. We’ll have a live band at this event, too. They’ll entertain us all well into this farewell evening Thanks again to the support of Gary and Barb.

So, that’s five days of fabulous sailing and five evenings of camaraderie and socializing on incredible Lake of the Woods, but there’s more!!!

Day 6 - We’ve scheduled an optional and standalone windward-leeward event. It replaces the old layover day race. We hope to get 3 races off. Awards will be immediately following in the Northern Boat Club. Racing gets started at 1200 hrs. Even if you missed LOWISA you’re welcome to come out and race around the buoys.

Please don’t hesitate to contact the regatta planning group at saillowisa@gmail.com if there is anything we can do to help you plan your trip. Visit is at www.lowisa.org and find us on Facebook “saillowisa”. This is a “Ya’ Gotta Regatta”. See you on the water!