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2024 PUMPKIN BOWL REGATTA

October 19-20 (Optis) & 26-27 (ILCA & Double-Handed)

The Pumpkin Bowl Regatta is one of two premier annual racing events hosted by the West Vancouver Yacht Club (WVYC) along with our Southern Straits Race. Since 1999, this event has drawn sailors from across BC, Alberta and the Pacific Northwest, including Washington and Idaho. With over 165 boats and 200 competitors (aged 7 to 20+), sailors compete in more than 50 dinghy and double-handed races, run over four courses. It's an excellent racing experience for dinghy sailors, and supported by over 130 engaged volunteers known for the friendliness, community spirit and commitment.

We’re excited to host this regatta over two weekends to provide the optimal racing experience for all fleets. The Optis will run the weekend of October 19-20 with both a Green fleet for newer Opti sailors and a great Championship fleet. The ILCAs and Double-Handed (Fevas, 420s, 29ers, FJs) will race the following weekend, October 26-27. This even gives sailors the opportunity to race both weekends in different boats.

We’re looking forward to welcoming our sailing friends from across the Pacific Northwest and further afield including sailors from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and beyond. For those of you travelling from afar, we’ve got lots of creative and supportive ideas to assist you in having your teams here over the two weekends, so please feel free to reach-out to arrange logistics.

In addition to Pumpkin Bowl, WVYC supports junior sailing through its Learn to Sail Program and the WVYC Race Team. Pumpkin Bowl provides youth sailors the opportunity to compete together in a largely self-regulating sport. It teaches skills such as independence, risk assessment, decision-making, cooperation and sportsmanship. Participating in Pumpkin Bowl provides competitors the opportunity to interact and work with adults who share their passion of yachting, very much a sport for life. Please stay tuned and return to this page for event updates and further details.

Nicky and Stewart, Pumpkin Bowl Regatta Chair and PRO
[email protected]

Watch a Video from the 2023 Pumpkin Bowl Regatta
Watch a Video from the 2022 Pumpkin Bowl Regatta
Watch a Video from the 2021 Pumpkin Bowl Regatta
Watch a Video from the 2020 Pumpkin Bowl Regatta
Watch a Video from the 2019 Pumpkin Bowl Regatta


Become a Pumpkin Bowl Sponsor                 Sign-up to Volunteer!             
               Billeting Form                  


  • SPONSORS
    • Title Sponsors


        



      2023 Presenting Sponsors

           
           


      Supporting Sponsors

       
       



      In-Kind Sponsors

       
         

         

               

      To become a sponsor of the 2023 Pumpkin Bowl Regatta, please visit the sponsor page.


  • Courses and Fleets
    • Pumpkin Bowl provides four race courses with the following fleets:

      October 19-20, 2024
      - Bravo course: Opti Championship Fleet (White, Blue and Red)
      - Opti Green (for those new Opti sailors)

      October 26-27, 2024:
      - Alpha course: Single Handed: ILCA 4, ILCA 6, ILCA 7 (Laser 4.7, Radial and Full Rig)
      - Charlie course: Double Handed: 29ers, 420s, RS Fevas, FJs

      Other fleets will be considered by request.

  • Registration, Race Information, Results

Sponsors and Volunteers Come Together

Sponsors and volunteers make this outstanding event possible and continue to provide sailors with the opportunity to achieve their sailing goals and to compete against sailors from all across Canada. The sailors have been training hard all year and competition has been limited, so we’re excited to be organizing this event for the WVYC’s Race Team – now over 80 strong.

Volunteer & Sponsorship Inquiries

Sponsorship Information

Race Conditions and Weather

Given the season, there’s great variety in sailing and weather conditions at Pumpkin Bowl to challenge sailors as they put their season’s training to full use. The Regatta waters are cold in October. Appropriate sailing and safety gear as well as experience for the conditions mitigates the risks of the cold, wet and often (but not always) windy conditions.

WVYC is often visited by the friendly Witch of the West (way better winds than the easterly) who greets the sailors coming off the water with candy and a cackle.

Spectators, Fans and the Store

We’re looking forward to offering Spectator Boats again in 2024 to assist parents, friends, family and other assorted support crew in getting out on the water to see what all the fun is about.


WVYC is happy to make coveted Pumpkin Technical shirts available to those who want to show their support for Pumpkin. These shirts travel the world and are fun to see at regattas around North America and further afield.


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