Dallas Race Week sets sail the week of June 17 on Lake Ray Hubbard

ROCKWALL, TX (June 12, 2024) Dallas Race Week, the premier sailing event on Lake Ray Hubbard, will be held June 17 through June 21, coinciding with Father’s Day and the Summer Solstice.  The races, which begin at 7:00 p.m. each evening, can be viewed from the eastern shore of Lake Ray Hubbard, south of I-30. Landlubbers can enjoy the sight from The Yacht Club at Chandlers Landing or The Harbor, while those who prefer to be closer to the action may prefer the view from Sea Wolf, Sail with Scott’s 40 foot catamaran.

The first Dallas Race Week was held in 1982 making it one of the longest running sporting events in Rockwall.  The idea for the event was conceived by Scott Self, a founding member of Chandlers Landing Yacht & Tennis Club.  He and eleven fellow club members formed a team and raced together on a Columbia 56 sailing yacht in the 1978 Antigua Sailing Week, one of the world’s top regattas.  The team won their division, beating teams from around the world.  The experience inspired Scott to bring a similar event to Lake Ray Hubbard.  Originally an invitational regatta, the format has changed over the years but has always included consecutive evenings of racing followed by fun after-parties. The event has always attracted top sailors.  America’s Cup skippers Dennis Conner and John Kolius, as well as Olympic gold medalist Paul Foerster have raced in past years.

In 1999 the event became a charity regatta, with Helping Hands being the primary beneficiary.  In 2006 the Rotary Club became the sponsoring organization.  Through the years the event has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for worthy causes in the Rockwall area.  Dallas Race Week has been a Rockwall constant throughout the years, navigating through challenging times including the recent pandemic.  Scott Self participated in every Dallas Race Week until his death in June 2020.  His son Billy, a Chandlers Landing Resident and CLYC club member is carrying on the tradition.

Since Scott’s death, all proceeds from the regatta go to the Scott Self Memorial Scholarship.  The fund provides scholarships for students planning to pursue a career in the trades.  The scholarship is administered in close cooperation with the Rockwall ISD Education Foundation to choose several students from both Rockwall high schools.  Applicants are encouraged to describe their desire to work in the technical and vocational fields after completing high school.

Submitted story and photos, edited for publication in Blue Ribbon News. 

  Dallas Race Week, father’s day, feature, Lake Ray Hubbard, Rockwall, sailing, summer solstice