Johnny Devitt Annual Invitational Regatta 2023

The Johnny Devitt Annual Invitational Regatta is an event that holds immense significance for everyone who knew Johnny. It is a celebration of his life, his passion for sailing, and his dedication to the sport. The event, which started in 2022, has now become an annual tradition, and we are thrilled to announce that the 2023 edition of the regatta is just around the corner.

The event is dedicated to Johnny Devitt, a talented sailor who grew up sailing at Malahide Yacht Club in the 1980s and 1990s. Johnny was an incredible person who left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. He was funny, talented, determined, spontaneous, and incredibly passionate about sailing.

Sadly, Johnny passed away suddenly in October 2020, and due to strict lockdown restrictions, many of his friends and colleagues were unable to attend his funeral. In 2022, a group of his friends organized a regatta in his memory, which was an incredible success. Scores of former Optimist and Mirror sailors from the 80s & 90s reunited for a day of nostalgia and racing, with some taking to the water again for the first time in decades.

The 2022 regatta was won by former Laser Radial Olympian Ciara Peelo, and the event raised an incredible 16,500 Euro for the Irish Heart Foundation and RNLI. With the support of Malahide Yacht Club and Johnny’s family, the organizers decided to make the regatta an annual event. This year, the event aims to raise funds for a defibrillator for Malahide Yacht Club.

The 2023 Johnny Devitt Annual Invitational Regatta promises to be an exciting event that celebrates the life and legacy of Johnny Devitt. The regatta will take place at Malahide Yacht Club, and we invite everyone to come and be a onlooker or join in to the after regatta celebrations as part of this incredible event.

The regatta will also feature the chance to give generous donations to support the fundraising efforts for the defibrillator. There will be plenty of opportunities to socialise and catch up with old friends, and we are confident that this year’s event will be even more successful than last year’s.

In conclusion, the Johnny Devitt Annual Invitational Regatta is a celebration of Johnny’s life, passion, and dedication to sailing. It is an event that brings together sailors from different generations, backgrounds, and experiences. We invite everyone to join us for a day of fun, watching the racing, and fundraising. Let us come together and make this year’s event a fitting tribute to the memory of Johnny Devitt. We look forward to seeing you there!

Regatta Website and Further details here : https://sites.google.com/view/jdmemorial2022/home