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Toledo Yacht Club Regatta and Poker Run

Toledo Yacht Club 3900 North Summit St. Toledo, OH

Friday and Saturday, August 12-13, 2022 | 5 p.m. - Midnight Toledo Yacht Club Regatta 2022 August 12 (Friday) –- Sweet Tea Band – 5 pm to 11 pm August 13 (Saturday) –– DJ Javier Rios – Noon to 4pm ​Red Carpet Crashers – 8pm to Midnight Public Welcome!

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The Mills Race: A Historic Test of Seamanship on Lake Erie

The Mills Race is a historic regatta on Lake Erie that attracts sailors from across the Great Lakes and beyond to the Toledo Yacht Club. Its success as an event points to a larger discussion about how Toledoans can capitalize on the geographic asset of Lake Erie. Cordelia Van der Veer was a participant in Midstory's 2020 High School ThinkLab program. Cover graphic by Jessie Walton for Midstory.

Friday, August 9, 1907 was a fair-weather day on the western end of Lake Erie. Boaters from Cleveland, Detroit and Toledo flocked to the Toledo Yacht Club to participate in racing events that would test their seamanship, grit and endurance. Excitement was in the air as Toldeoans read about the activities in the morning edition of The Blade.

Of the events, the 191-mile sailing course around the Detroit River and Cleveland Crib Lights was the most challenging. Yachts registered for this course were up to 76 feet long and required as many 12 crewmembers to race. The first to finish from this fleet would receive the recently commissioned Mills Trophy.

At the sound of the starting gun, the yachts competing for the Mills Trophy started their pursuit. Unbeknownst to the sailors, the start of the race would initiate a 113-year tradition known as the Mills Race—an event that would draw national attention to the humble city of Toledo for years to come.

The Origins of the Mills Race

As a city founded on its proximity to the Great Lakes, it comes as no surprise that Toledo has a rich history of boating. In 1865, when Toledo had only 30,000 residents, two rowing clubs merged to form the Toledo Yacht Club (TYC), now one of the oldest yacht clubs in the United States.

Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the TYC built a reputation as a significant sailing club by hosting various regattas. To accommodate growing membership, the TYC commissioned a state-of-the-art colonial clubhouse completed in 1903, only to be destroyed by a devastating fire three years later.

In support of the TYC after the fire, Commodore Merrill B. Mills donated a sterling silver punch bowl with ladle and cups. As stated in the Deed of Gift , Mills gifted the trophy “for the purpose of encouraging proficiency in the art of navigation upon the Great Lakes by means of popular contests in yachting.” 

The first Mills Race was an extremely well-received event. Even as early as 1907, the press was comparing the Mills Race to regattas on the east coast.

Walter F. Beiling commented to The Blade in 1907, “I have attended nearly all the big long distance races given on the lakes for years, and the boats brought together by the Toledo races compare more favorably with the ocean going yachts of the east than any I have elsewhere seen on the lakes.”  

Shortly after the first Mills Race, S.O. Richardson, the President of Libbey Glass and Commodore of Toledo Yacht Club, wanted to give smaller crafts an opportunity to race. Richardson asked President William H. Taft to commission a new trophy for a class of 15 ft. catboats . As an Ohio native and sailing enthusiast, President Taft was glad to support the Mills Race, and in 1909, the President’s Trophy was first awarded to a yacht called Possum .

The Mills Race in the 21st Century

Today, the race remains a celebrated tradition. In the 2019 Mills Race, 103 yachts ranging from 26 to 68 feet in length competed in one of three courses: the Mills Trophy Course (78 miles), Governor’s Trophy Course (60.5 miles) or President’s Trophy Course (26 miles). Each course started 1.5 miles from Toledo Harbor Light and sailors raced through the night to finish in front of Put-in-Bay. Although the courses and boats have changed over the years, both the Mills Trophy and President’s Cup are highly sought after amongst Great Lakes sailors.

“When you’re a junior sailor, you walk into a yacht club, and you see those silver cups and [you think], ‘Someday I want my name on that,’” Commodore Duane Burgoyne, a local sailor who has raced in 32 Mills Races, said.

Another sailor, Dennis ‘Skip’ Dieball started off as junior sailor admiring the large silver cups. Since then, the Toledo native has become an international name in sailing—winning the 2015 Etchells World Championships, competing in the 2019 Pan American Games and starting his own sail-making business, Dieball Sails .

According to Dieball, the Mills Race has maintained its popularity in part because of the unique geography of the Western Lake Erie Basin. The shallowness of the water means weather is unpredictable, a challenge for sailors. Additionally, the western basin offers several islands easily accessible by sailboat.

As a business owner in addition to a sailor, Dieball also points to the economic impact of the Mills Race as a major benefit.

“The fact that [Toledo has] the Mills Race…for my business was a big deal because it offered a simple [incentive] to deliver a product,” Dieball said.

Sail-making businesses are not the only beneficiaries of the Mills Race. With up to 100 yachts competing in the event, thousands of sailors and supporters need lodging, food and other services in the Toledo and Put-in-Bay areas each year. As of data from the early 2000s, the Mills Race attracts an estimated 3,000 people each year to Toledo for the festivities.

Looking Ahead

To politicians and journalists around the country, Lake Erie is known more often for its environmental crises; national news sources report on the “ slug of toxins ” that plague the body of the water every year. While water quality should absolutely remain at the forefront of national conversations, it does not have to be the only defining identifier of Lake Erie.

If Toledo and the western basin can serve as the location for historic events like the Mills Race, what other events can the region foster? How else can the citizens of Toledo capitalize on the geographic asset of Lake Erie? 

For many, Lake Erie is not just a source of competition or economic opportunity. Lake Erie is a recreational, cultural and economic asset to the region, and its potential for national and even international attention doesn’t stop with the Mills Race. It is the center of a larger community. 

Perhaps Skip Dieball put it best while on a sailing trip on Lake Erie with his family: “‘Where else would we rather be right now than doing this?’”

The High School ThinkLab is a youth program dedicated to cultivating young people toward contributing meaningfully to our region through research, thought, creativity & storytelling. Learn more about the program here and read other participants’ stories here .

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Awesome article!! I learned so much about how Toledo’s history is not celebrated and publicized and much as it should be. I applaud Midstory for providing a platform to highlight the hometown gems.

Special Kudos to the author no doubt,..Cordelia!

As a frequent participant in today’s Mills Race event, it is nice to know this history. Very nice article and well written.

Great article!! Well written and enjoyable to read!!

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Mills Cup Race

June 9, 2023 - june 11, 2023.

Toledo Yacht Clubs Mills Cup Sailing Races! Originally started in 1907 as a test of sailing and navigational skills, the Mills Cup Race has evolved into the premier sailing race on Lake Erie. This annual race is unique in that the race is held at night. Since 1981, the Mills Cup race has begun at the Toledo Ohio harbor light and ended at Put-in-Bay Ohio .

Toledo Yacht Club Mills Cup & The Put-in-Bay Yacht Club

The Put-in-Bay Yacht club has been involved in the hosting of the race for over 35 years. This is a great time to Visit Put-in-Bay and take in the sights of the Put-in-Bay Docks hosting hundreds of these colorful sailing ships and their crews. Docks are open to the public to view the ships. The west side of South Bass Island generally offers the best view of the colorful sailing vessels as they enter the Put-In-Bay harbor. This year marks the 99th year of the Mills Cup Event.

Mills Cup Events

Although the race is the main event, Mills Cup Week includes a number of other events. On Friday evening before the race, the Mills Masters are invited to a special picnic in their honor. On Wednesday, the winners of the previous year’s race are feted at a banquet and awards presentation.

Thursday evening is the famous Mills Party held on the lawn of the Toledo Yacht Club. This party is open to the public and offers an opportunity to see many of the boats which will race the next evening. Boats arriving on Thursday are welcomed with a cannon salute. A post-race party, held on Saturday afternoon at the Put-in-Bay Yacht Club , includes music, refreshments, and the posting of the race results. Before heading home on Sunday, flags are presented to the winning skippers. Put-in-Bay Hotels book early for this weekend, and making reservations far in advance is suggested.

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River View Yacht Club

Club information, ball information.

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Bay View Yacht Club

3902 n summit street toledo, oh 43611  419-729-0731.

Bay View Yacht Club promotes and encourages boating safety awareness and fellowship among its members. The organization operates as a recreation and sports professional society and association, located in Toledo, OH.

Welcome to Our Site

​BAR HOURS

Monday - thursday: 3pm to 11pm.

Friday - Saturday: 1pm to 11pm Sunday: 1pm to 11pm

During the week, the bar may close early if no members are present. Please call ahead if arriving late during the week. 

Gas Dock Hours

Closed for the season

UPCOMING EVENTS​​

 ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​, friday, february 23rd - v/c fish fry @ 6pm, friday, march 1st - v/c fish fry @ 6pm, friday, march 8th - v/c fish fry @ 6pm, friday, march 15th  - v/c fish fry @ 6pm name that tune bingo @ 8pm, saturday, march 16th - r/c luck of the irish st patty’s party, friday, m arch 22nd - v /c fish fry @ 6pm, saturday, march 23rd - commodore ball, saturday, march 30th - r/c  children's easter party   @ 6pm    * please sign up @ the bar by march 27th. there is no charge for this event., saturday, april 6th - r/c eclipse party, friday, april 12th - v/c dinner @ 6pm, saturday, april 27th - r/c euchre tournament @ 5:30pm, key:  , v/c - vice commodore event,  r/c - rear commodore event,  f/c - fleet captain event, click on events in red to display club flyer  .

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In The News: Toledo Ice Yacht Club

by Deb Whitehorse | Feb 2, 2019 | 2018-2019 , Home Page

Ice boat racing a pastime in Point Place

JAY SKEBBA Blade Staff Writer [email protected]

Mr [Kent]. Baker said ice boaters and racers have created a sense of community with each other. “I’ve been in the club over 20 years, so I’ve known a lot of these people that long,” he said. “You make friends and end up traveling together with random people. The guy I went to Maine with, we’ll call each other up and talk about going somewhere to race. A lot of times we’re the only ones nutty enough to do it.” Read more.

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Regatta Dates 2024

• DN Western Region Championship Postponed Information
• DN Senior Shuffle Postponed Information
• International Skeeter Association Regatta Postponed Information
• DN Worlds, Europeans, & Junior Worlds February 3 -10, 2024 Information
• DN North American Championship February 25 – March 2, 2024 Information
• Northwest Regatta Information
• Nite Nationals Information
• WSSA Championship Regatta Information.

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• November 8 Zoom
• November 22 Elections
• December 20
• January 3 Honor Roll Nominations
• January 17 Deadline for By-Law or Racing Rules Amendment Submission
• January 31 – in person, no Zoom
• February 15 Business Meeting – Zoom only
• February 28 – in person, no Zoom
• March 13 – Zoom only

Location: In person at Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club or Online using the Zoom App Members please email [email protected] for the link.

Time: 6:30 PM

TO ROUND THE MARK SINCE NOVEMBER 1999.

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• Boe-Craft Skeeter Association
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• Minnesota iceboating.net
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• Canyon Ferry, Montana
• Geneva Lake, Gordy’s Boat Sales, Fontana, WI Look for webcam link upper right corner
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Recent Posts

• Balancing Act: Navigating Tongue Weight at the Current Fast Champions Ice Boat Shop March 5, 2024
• March 4, 2024: DN in Canada March 4, 2024
• Regatta Watch: ISA & WSSA Postponed Until Dec 2024 March 3, 2024
• March 3, 2024: Skimmer in MI March 3, 2024
• March 2, 2024: C Skeeter in NY March 2, 2024
• March 2, 2024: Blocks Wanted in Maine March 2, 2024
• March 2, 2024: Nite in MN March 2, 2024
• SOLD! January 4, 2024: Starter DN in PA March 2, 2024
• Eight Bells: Tim McCormick March 2, 2024
• The Neighborhood Just Got Better February 29, 2024

Meetings every Friday at 8:00 PM through March

Ottawa River Yacht Club

5844 Edgewater Dr.

Toledo, OH 43611

TIYC/ORYC Winterfest

Friday, Jan 26, 2024: 

Doors open 6PM, Cornhole Registration at 6:30PM

Saturday, Jan 27, 2024: 

ORYC Poker Run Reg. 10AM-Noon, Evening activities start 5PM 

Saturday Night entertainment by 2 Left Missing

Mar. Club Hours:

Friday: 1800-2400 Saturday: 1200-2200 Sunday: 1200-1800

https://www.twinstiarasandtantrums.com

Getting Started

If any or all of this is interesting to you the next step is to visit the Club. Stop by, look around, and meet some of our members. If no one stops you to talk, introduce yourself. We are a friendly bunch.

Weekends, except January when the Club is closed, and Wednesday nights from mid-May to late September (when we have evening races) are the most active times and the best times to visit.

You don't need a boat or experience to get started. Many of our members would be happy to take you out and "show you the ropes," and some of our most active members crew for other members but don't have their own boat. We are a diverse bunch and there's room for pretty much everyone.

If you have specific questions, please contact us using this link .

Special Events

Youth activities.

Our youth are welcome at and participate in most of the general Club activities but there are also special programs and activities just for them:

• Sail Camp for those from 8-16. This camp is open to non-members as well. Instruction is divided by experience level and geared to new sailors, those at an intermediate level and those more advanced. Classes are small enough to permit personalizing instruction by our Certified Instructors.
• NCYC's Junior Racing program including a regatta series with events at several area clubs and participation at Junior Bayweek.
• Advanced Racing Clinics run periodically using nationally recognized instructors. The Clinics are also open to non-members and draw sailors from as far away as Cleveland and Detroit.

Message from the Commodore

On behalf of the Flag Officers and the membership, I am pleased to welcome you to the web site for North Cape Yacht Club. From our early beginnings, our club has endeavored to promote yachting and the enjoyment all that Western Lake Erie has to offer. Through our affiliation with the I-LYA, AYC and DRYA organizations, North Cape welcomes guests and visitors from near and far.

NCYC has a tradition of hosting sailboat racing events, cruising events and local organizations focused on the stewardship of the waterways. During the sailing season we host regattas at the National and North American Championship level, regattas for one-design fleets at the districts and local fleet level and for our Junior sailors regattas and clinics which prepare and qualify them for competition at the national level. Our vibrant cruising fleet offers participants 3 major cruising events, visiting harbors spread across Western Lake Erie, along with many shore-side social gatherings. In the colder off-season we host many family-friendly events, social events, seminars and meetings of interest to nautical enthusiasts from the local community.

Our commitment to the future of water sports provides ample motivation for the enthusiastic group of members who manage and produce our Adult Learn to Sail program and our world renowned Junior Sailing program. Adults of all ages will find a comprehensive and personalized training program focused on helping them learn the skills for safe and enjoyable sailing experiences. Youth will find a sail camp which provides a fun day-camp experience focused on learning to sail. More experienced youth who wish to sail competitively will find a vibrant and high-level race team with a long history of producing regional, national and olympic champions.

For more information about our history, who we are and our club facilities, membership or other opportunities, please contact us using the on-line form or directly by phone or eMail. If you wish to visit, by land or by sea, please contact our Club Manager at the Club House or at (734)242-5081 prior to or soon after your arrival.

So what do we do?

• Have many social events each year including Brunches for Mothers' Day, Fathers' Day, Easter, and Memorial Day, ethnic meals, Children's events including an annual visit from Santa
• Run races every Wednesday night all season, typically with 40 boats in 5 classes with food and camaraderie after.
• Fun racing events like full moon races.
• Have an active cruising schedule, generally overnighting in 6-7 different ports through the summer.
• Potlucks every summer weekend when not in conflict with other events.
• Host 2-3 major national level regattas. Won US Sailing's Yacht Club of the year for 2011 for the quality of the National regattas we hosted that year.
• Run 4 North Cape sponsored annual regattas.
• Organize Spring seminars by experts on subjects such as navigation, diesel maintenance, cruising the North Channel, and racing tips and techniques.
• Have members who serve as officers and committee chairs for the Inter-Lake Yachting Association and Associated Yacht Clubs, our regional boating associations.
• Adult Learn to Sail Programs. Evening classes, with multiple sessions.

Click on thumbnail of AYC Posters of Events or download all of them