MARION — With the Bourne Bridge visible in the distance of a picture-perfect afternoon, around 250 kids and teens raced laps around Sippican Harbor on Tuesday, Aug. 13 for the first day of the Beverly Yacht Club Junior Regatta.

“This is one of the premier junior events in the Northeast, and it's one of Beverly Yacht Club’s flagship events,” said Chris Proudlove, co-chair of the regatta.

Proudlove explained that participants raced either in pairs or alone on two types of sailboats or windsurfed.

According to Lauren Verni, junior sailing program chair for the Beverly Yacht Club, the event has been happening annually for 61 years.

The first race of the c420 class kicked off around noon, with over 50 duos opting for alternate strategies and routes to make their way around one marker, called a windward mark, and back to the starting point, a slight breeze aiding the sailors towards their destination.

After a long day of sailing, Beverly Yacht Club members returned to home base for a taco dinner and time with friends.

The competitors are back out on the water on Wednesday, Aug. 14 for the second and final day of the regatta.

“This is amazing because what the yacht club and these events help create is the next generation of sailors,” said Proudlove. “And for us, as a group who enjoys sailing, to be able to play a role in passing that on to the next generation is really what it's about.”

Proudlove said planning for the regatta started in January with a committee of eight people.

“There is an awful lot to think about in terms of race management, safety and food and beverage,” he said. “There are a lot of moving pieces, a lot of things to iron out, it is a big team effort.”

“Seeing the smiles” on kids’ faces was the standout of Proudlove’s day, he said.