The first Pursuit for Courage Regatta was held in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, on June 29 to benefit the Wounded Warriors Project. The Annual Cancer Regatta Pro-Am, a charitable summer race that ran from 1994-1999 in the Buzzards Bay area, inspired the new regatta.
Chairman Ryan Walsh of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, and a small committee organized the new race in the popular Cape Cod cruising area. Donations are still coming in but over $17,000 was raised for the Wounded Warrior Project as of Monday evening. Those proceeds were collected from boat sponsors as well as crewmembers. The Wounded Warrior Project has programs to help veterans live a fulfilling life after serving overseas including some for mind, body, economic empowerment and engagement between vets. It’s a cause close to the hearts of Walsh’s team.
Walsh said, “One of the committee members [Jeff Costa of Somerset, Massachusetts] is a marine veteran himself. I had the sailing idea; he had the Wounded Warrior idea. They go out and risk their lives for us every day and allow us to enjoy sailing.”
More than 50 boats registered for the regatta and 37 actually raced, a solid turnout considering the weekend’s stormy weather. Over 200 people attended the tented after party on Pope’s Island.
According to Walsh, the committee met Monday night and already started planning for the 2014 Pursuit for Courage Regatta.
Photos courtesy of Fran Grenon, Spectrum Photography
