Letter from the President:

It’s called the “New Era” in NASCAR. There should be no reason that we can’t use the same terminology.

The First Annual Stuart Sailfish Regatta of the “New Era” is in the history books now. Without missing a beat we’re already planning the 2013 version, and why not? Riding in the wake of the 2012 Regatta has been rather pleasant. Other than being somewhat windblown all our team members are totally jazzed about next year as is everyone else!

The race teams who put on a fantastic show have all committed to joining us next year.

Our communities are still buzzing about the excitement of boat racing returning to our shores. The turtles, manatees and dolphin’s families are still complete and hopefully are considering vacations next April. !

The Stuart Sailfish Regatta team was not to be denied. In spite of Mother Nature tossing up the launch side of the site race boats made it out onto the water. Saturday afternoon became a sensory fantasy of rooster tails and racing action. Many in attendance had never seen racing of this type. They were both amazed and thrilled at what they saw. The race boats in all classes skimmed lighting fast across the water deftly rounding the buoys as the drivers tried every tactic to overtake one another. Not to be outdone the Jersey Skiffs displayed their usual spectacular show of controlled chaos leaping and diving around the course to determine whether being airborne or skipping across the water was the fastest way around.

Kennedy and Kennedy put on a show with the Grand Prix boats showing the fans what it must look like when an F-18 fighter jet is let loose on the water.

The action on Sunday was no different only more of it as missed heats from Saturday morning were run as well as the complete Sunday program. Everyone in attendance crowded the shoreline the entire day as each heat produced its own set of excitement. The announcers scrambled to keep track of the action.

The blow over on Sunday afternoon left many of us holding our breath. But, to the credit of the APBA, the designers and builders of these craft all the safety elements worked. The boat was hurt, but no one else was. Job well done!

I’m sure many people are aware of the tremendous amount of time and effort that has gone into this event. When you consider the entire Regatta team, our volunteers, Martin County commissioners, staff, Parks and Recreation our associated municipalities the race teams and their families the hours undoubtedly number in the thousands.

Were those many hours well spent? You bet !!!!!

This is the type of event that represents the “glue” that gives a community a common bond. It is the kind of event that people will be talking about not only of the Regatta now past but the Regatta for next year. This is an event which showcases our community in a very positive light, from our hospitality to our friendliness and our beautiful surrounds. On top of it all it helps our community remain vibrant and undoubtedly imports much appreciated dollars into the area as well as the additional dollars it brings to our beneficiaries.

I would like to personally thank everyone for helping with the Stuart Sailfish Regatta! Most of all I would like to thank all our generous sponsors and all the great folks who attended the event. I think you got to witness history in the making and I sincerely hope you’ll join us next year for the 2013 version of the Stuart Sailfish Regatta!

With many thanks,

Rusty Sedlack President, Stuart Sailfish Regatta

Charles “Rookie” Woodruff, 64, of Jensen Beach, Florida died in a high speed power boat exhibition on the waters of LakeDora on Sunday, March 18, 2012. He was born in Camden, SC, the son of L. Frank and Henrietta Woodruff. Charlesgrew up in Miami Florida and completed his education with a bachelor’s degree.

Charles “Rookie” Woodruff, the legendaryveteran of Hydroplane racing dedicated his life to promote the sport of power boat racing, attract young fans to participateand bring the exciting sport back to Florida and the beautiful Treasure Coast. He died before seeing “his dream” regattawhich he actively pursued with the Stuart Sailfish Regatta Board of Directors for two years. Chuck “Rookie” Woodruff’sracing career spans from 1968 to 1996 when he semi-retired after his son Tristan was born.