Featuring the Annual Richard Henry Dana Charity Regatta in Dana Point, Benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley
DANA POINT — In Southern California, where sailing is a celebrated tradition and coastal communities are deeply tied to the sea, charity regattas have become a hallmark of both competition and compassion. These annual events blend the thrill of yacht racing with a shared mission to give back, raising funds for critical causes such as youth programs, hospice care, and community health initiatives. Among the many races that dot the summer calendar, none carry the legacy or local impact quite like the Richard Henry Dana Charity Regatta, set to take place September 5 through 7, 2025, in Dana Point Harbor.
Hosted by the Dana Point Yacht Club since 1999, the Richard Henry Dana Charity Regatta has raised nearly a million dollars for nonprofit organizations in South Orange County. This year, the event will once again support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley (BGCCV), an organization that serves over 1,500 local youth annually. The 2025 regatta weekend will feature two days of spirited sailing competition, a lively cornhole tournament, silent and live auctions, a VIP sponsor reception, and a grand Saturday night dinner party — all designed to raise critical funds for BGCCV and celebrate the transformative power of community support.
The excitement leading up to the regatta was amplified on July 25, when Dana Point Yacht Club hosted a special “Day on the Water” for 56 youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley. The outing, supported by 13 private boat owners, gave local Club Kids an unforgettable ocean adventure aboard sailboats and powerboats.
“This event was nothing short of amazing,” said Nicole Watson, Executive Director and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley. “It was the first time many of these kids had even been on a boat, let alone being able to experience an activity like racing on a sailboat or seeing some of the abundant sea life right off our coast. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the upcoming Richard Henry Dana Charity Regatta.”
The event began with a boat parade through Dana Point Harbor. Eight sailboats then left the harbor to participate in a race, while powerboats remained inside the harbor for a scavenger hunt and dolphin viewing. The day was not only educational but symbolic of the regatta’s theme, “On Course for Great Futures,” a nod to the BGCCV mission of closing opportunity gaps and ensuring that tomorrow’s leaders are safe, supported, and inspired.
“Not only was this day special for all of the Boys & Girls Clubs kids that attended it, every one of our captains and their crews had an equally good time and have already said they can’t wait to do it again next year,” said Steven Shryock, Rear Commodore at Dana Point Yacht Club and this year’s Chairman of the Richard Henry Dana Charity Regatta. “This is just the first step in our lead-up to the main event on September 5th, 6th and 7th. We are already getting a strong response from sponsors, and I invite all community members to join us in supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley while playing in our cornhole tournament or attending our grand Saturday night dinner party and auction.”
While the Richard Henry Dana Charity Regatta stands as a flagship philanthropic event in Dana Point, it is part of a wider network of charitable regattas across Southern California, where sailing meets service in harbors up and down the coast.
Further south, the Oceanside Yacht Club will hold the 23rd Annual Elizabeth Hospice Charity Regatta on August 2 and 3, benefitting The Elizabeth Hospice of North County San Diego. This regatta draws PHRF and one-design fleets for two days of racing and remembrance, supporting hospice and palliative care services that impact hundreds of families annually.
Up the coast in Santa Barbara, the Santa Barbara Yacht Club will host its 21st Annual Charity Regatta on September 13 in support of VNA Health. With past fundraising totals exceeding $2.6 million, the regatta funds programs like music and pet therapy, grief support, and community health outreach. Its festive onshore atmosphere and deep community involvement make it one of the Central Coast’s signature charity events.
In San Diego, the Bayfair Cup, while not exclusively a charity regatta, often includes public outreach and fundraising components. Held September 12 through 14 in Mission Bay, this event attracts a different kind of race enthusiast, with hydroplanes and high-speed powerboats taking center stage alongside local initiatives.
Even Long Beach gets in on the charitable action with Long Beach Race Week, co-hosted by Alamitos Bay and Long Beach Yacht Clubs each June. While it is primarily a competitive regatta, many participating clubs incorporate fundraising and youth outreach into the festivities, continuing the tradition of giving back through sailing.
Taken together, these events showcase how Southern California’s sailing community rallies around important causes, raising funds and awareness while promoting the joys of the open water. From the legacy of the Richard Henry Dana Charity Regatta to the hospitable spirit of Santa Barbara and the family-friendly efforts in Oceanside, these regattas are reminders that boats aren’t just for pleasure; they can be powerful vessels for change.
For those wishing to get involved in the 2025 Richard Henry Dana Charity Regatta, opportunities for sponsorship, participation, and donations are available. Visit dpyc.org or bgccapo.com/rhd for tickets, event details, or to contribute directly to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley.
