Bras d'Or Yacht Club Racing Program

The Bras d'Or Yacht Club's racing program is second to none on Cape Breton Island. We are most famous for our annual week long regatta that starts on the first Sunday of August with a sail past through the harbour. Racing continues every day through to the following Saturday. There are classes for Junior Sailors in prams, optimists, lasers, and 420s. The yachts race in the afternoon putting on a sensational show for the spectators, with brilliantly coloured spinnakers flying. Boats travel from all around the province to race in Baddeck during regatta week.

Prizes and trophies are awarded at the closing ceremonies on Saturday evening. We have many beautiful trophies each with their own unique history that are presented. This is where the Junior Sailors really shine and beginners get their first ever ranking as sailors. The final race of the week is the highly contested Gardiner Hubbard Bell race. This very old and precious trophy is housed at the Bell Museum. So it's quite a treat when it comes out of storage for a few hours each year.

BYC also runs two weekend regattas in July leading up to Regatta Week. The season opener, The West Bay Regatta, is held in Dundee at Dundee Marine, and the second regatta, The McCurdy Cup/Equis Cup, is held in Baddeck the following weekend. Check racing schedule for dates and venues.

Regatta week isn't just about racing in Baddeck. It's also the favourite time of year for Cape Bretoners to travel home to celebrate with friends and family knowing everyone will be in town. Hope to see you this year in Baddeck.