Don Backe, founder of CRAB
Today at 4:00 we’ll be at the dedication ceremony for the newly named Donald E. Backe Accessible Boating Piers at Sandy Point State Park. As I prepare to head to the ceremony I’m choked up thinking of how excited Don would be to know that CRAB is alive and well and that the new accessible piers are in full operation. I can just picture him being so humble about it saying he isn’t quite sure why they are to be named after him but he sure is glad that they’re there, whatever they are called.
Don had a terrific vision of making sailing accessible for all, and though he’s left his post as executive director, he’s still directing us all from above. The sponsors of and participants in the Boatyard Regatta to Benefit CRAB are on fire this year. North Sails has started a new Fleet Participation Trophy for the one design fleet to put the most boats on the line August 23. Presently the Harbor 20 fleet is on top, but rumor has it the Etchells, J/70 and J/80 fleets are sandbagging but planning to come on strong. All sailboats are welcome. If you have a boat with no rating, register, and the folks at EYC will give you a rating. If you sail in a one-design class, call everyone and rally them to be on the line. This is your chance to show Don that we’re here carrying on, getting everyone out sailing on the Bay. Click here for more information and to sign up for the regatta. And, don’t forget to bring all your friends to the party. With Misspent Youth, Heineken, and Mount Gay, there’s no better place to be!
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