EDENTON SPORTING LIFE

The Edenton Yacht Club captured the Albemarle Challenge Cup last weekend after a three day regatta was held at Albemarle Plantation.Since 1985, the Albemarle Challenge Cup has been awarded to the club with the best four overall finishes.

“Winning The Albemarle Challenge Cup this year is a particularly auspicious event as 2025 marks the 40 anniversary of the creation of the ASSA and the 50 anniversary of Edenton Yacht Club.  It must be a particularly notable time for Gil Burroughs, as he was a founding member of both the ASSA and the Edenton Yacht Club,” said EYC Fleet Captain Hal Murray.

Edenton Yacht Club had five entries in the regatta; Ken Attkisson and Ruffin on Lift Ticket, Gil Burroughs, Mark Burroughs, and Frederick Inglis on Barbara Jean III, John Sams and Dan Bohl on Ember, Brian FitzSimons, Brian Donnelly, and Wesley Varian on Cygnet, and Mike Burke, Rod Fears, and Hal Murray on Time Machine.  

Although the forecast called for turbulent seas and varying winds due to Imelda and Humberto’s romp off the coast, the winds remained rather light at times without any rain.  

Lift Tickettook the second-place trophy in the “Fast-boat” class, beating out seven other competitors from four clubs. Ember tied with with Pelicanfrom Roanoke Island Yacht Club in the C-class group, six boats from three clubs.

“The 18 boats and crews persevered and the race committee got in six races over three days.  No narrative of the 2025 ASSA Fall Regatta would be complete without recognizing Osprey Yacht Club and Albemarle Plantation and Marina for their hospitality and co-hosting the long weekend event, and the ASSA directors for their part in planning,” said Murray.

The Edenton Sailing Club christened a fleet of stunning refurbished Sunfish sailboats last Thursday evening as the club’s donors were recognized with rounds of applause, heartfelt thank yous, and a table of hot dogs, drinks and condiments.

Matt Womble welcomed the crowd and explained how the club had come to this point.  

“Donors donated the boats in 2022. We got a graphic artist, Anna Fizsimonsto donate her time and expertise because she is Brian's Fitzsimons’ daughter, offered Womble.  

Fitzsimons is an award winning animator who is credited with many major film work.  

“Annadonated generously to allow all of these names to come to life, which we cannow see on the boats. But today, I just really want to thank the donors who were able to make it. 
Not everybody is able to be here. We try to do this at least three times, so thank you for being persistent and showing up. And if you wouldn't mind,  I'm gonna call out your names if you could just come up,” said Womble.  

Womble then asked each of the donors to join him as he announced their names and the names theuy chose for their boats. Matt and Toni Womble: "Jaws" - Stuart Proctor: "Junebug", John and Robyn Sams: "Titanic",  Frank and Marty McCarthy: "Clarence", Bill Battle: "G Pyrat",  Mike Tracey and Bonnie Pierce: "Belle-fast"  Judy and Joe Evans: "Jubilee” , Steve and Marian Schrum: "Little Red Dragon", Kevin & Lynn Isler (Mike):  "Barracuda", Jim Frens "Sunrise"

This is an open opportunity for anyone in the community to learn the ropes, chart your course and experience the thrill of gliding across the waves of Edenton Bay.  

Whether an inexperienced novice or a seagoing, weathered, sound crossing sailor, Thursday evenings may be the night you have been waiting for.  

The Edenton Sailing Club offers a wonderful sailing experience- new Sunfish cost over $5,000. and the club has 10 boats for the community’s sailing pleasure.  

While an enjoyable event on the high seas, sailors will learn some basic sailing techniques while enjoying the wet wave camaraderie of a Thursday evening sail  

Community Sailing will take place at Sunfish Park from 5:30- 8 p.m. If you have a life jacket, please bring it. If not the club can provide one.

The Sailing Club dates are: June 5, 12, 19, 26, July: 3, 4  (Sail Club Race), 10, 17, 31.  August: 7, 14, 21, 28. September: 11, 18, 25 (Last Day of the Season).  

See you next Thursday.

All the locals know where they are, however, to find the hidden assets Edenton offers, is a treasure hunt for knowledge. It doesn’t take deep digging, it’s surrounds us.  

Seldom does a local hardware store offer answers to most questions a sailor could have. However  Byrum’s Hardware is a center of sailing knowledge for Edenton sailors. Just ask Stuart Proctor. Anything you need to know about the wind, the sea, and how they work together to propel adeventures.

When he’s not managing Byrum’s Hardware, the family business, you may find Stuart harbor side sharing his vast knowledge of the sea with soon to be Sunfish sailboat captains.  

On Thursday evening, Stuart, Matt Womble, his uncle Ken along with Mike Burke manning the launch boat, offered instruction, advice and sailing camaraderie at Sunfish Park – the front lawn of The Herringbone Restaurant and proceeded to  launch the sailors on Sunfish into the sound.  

Before anyone’s feet got wet, Matt and Ken explained how to right a capsized Sunfish and Stuart offered a capsulized rendition of “pretty much everything a sailor needs to know to sail a Sunfish in the sound.”  

With everyone’s arms outstretched emulating Cormorants, he explained how to “see the wind and feel the wind”. The sailboat and kiteboarding instructor shared tacking techniques, explained a ‘broad reach’ and advised everyone to sail upwind to ‘use the wind to bring you home.’

It’s a regular Thursday evening event beginning at 5:30 p.m. Sailing usually ends by 7:30 but that’s really up to whether or not you can ‘see the wind, feel the wind.’