The United States Optimist Dinghy Association held its New England Championship in Marion for the first time July 29 to 31. The town and the Beverly Yacht Club hosted nearly 300 skippers along with family members and coaches.

Optimists, or “opties,” are small, single-handed dinghies often used by kids up to the age of 15 and skippers in USODA regattas are between 10 and 15. Regional events like the New England Championship are used to determine eligibility for national and international regattas.

The races were a sight to behold with hundreds of opties circling the bay surrounded by coach, spectator and committee boats.

Kerri Vittemberga of Houston, Texas, sat on the beach off of Point Road to watch her sons, Ryan and Maxwell, compete. She called the sight a sort of organized chaos with multiple boats starting at different times and officials trying to keep track of times and points. The Vittemberga family has been involved with the opties and sailing for years.

“What’s fun is knowing many kids around here don’t sail big races,” Vittemberga said. “And for the parents, this is much more fun than sitting around a baseball field.”

The weekend’s races followed a trapezoidal-shaped course, which enables skippers to better determine wind and which side to round markers. The USODA rules and regulations for regattas also include yellow penalty flags. Getting more than two in a race means disqualification.  Skippers, however, are able to protest certain calls after the race to the committee. Sunday’s award ceremony was temporarily held up due to an extensive amount of protests.

“There are kids from all over the world here,” Vittemberga added. “It’s a lifestyle like riding horses or playing soccer. Parents are driving their kids and boats all year to regattas.”

By Sunday afternoon the races had concluded and it was time to hand out awards at the Beverly Yacht Club. There was a flurry of kids and parents looking at race results and getting refreshments in preparation for the numerous trophies and medals to be handed out.

Chip Johns, Commodore of the Beverly Yacht Club, greeted the crowd and handed the awards to skippers.

“I thought it was a terrific regatta,” Johns said. “Seeing the kids sailing was a blast.” He also announced that 80 skippers from 300 had qualified for national events next year.

The overall champion of the weekend was Wade Waddell from the Lauderdale Yacht Club. Waddell has won numerous national and international events.

“I’d like to thank my family and coach and team,” he said, holding the large trophy. “This was fun.”