Sailing has long been part of summer at Deep Creek Lake, and one of the highlights of the season is the annual Sandy Douglass Memorial Regatta.
Held in July, the regatta brings Flying Scot sailors together for a weekend of racing and celebrates a boat with deep roots in Garrett County. This year, I was honored when the regatta organizers ordered 38 prints of my painting “Hiking Out” to include with the trophy presentations.
My sincere thanks to the Deep Creek Yacht Racing Association and everyone involved with the Sandy Douglass Memorial Regatta for choosing my work. It was especially meaningful to have a painting inspired by sailing become part of an event with such a strong connection to Deep Creek’s sailing history.
A Deep Creek Sailing Tradition
The Sandy Douglass Memorial Regatta is named for Gordon “Sandy” Douglass, the designer of the Flying Scot.
The boat has a particularly strong connection to this area. The Flying Scot was developed here and is still built in nearby Deer Park, just a few miles from Deep Creek Lake.
For generations, Flying Scots have been a familiar sight on the lake. The regatta continues that tradition by bringing sailors together for competitive racing while also honoring the history of the boat and the community that has grown around it.
The event is organized through the Deep Creek Yacht Racing Association and hosted at the Deep Creek Lake Sailing Association on Turkey Neck. It is one of the major events on the local sailing calendar and draws competitors who share a strong appreciation for the Flying Scot and for racing at Deep Creek.
My own connection to the regatta is personal. I sailed these waters for years, and those experiences continue to influence my work.
Sailing at Deep Creek Lake
Earlier this year, I shared a short film, Chasing the Wind, about sailing at Deep Creek Lake and the people who continue to keep that tradition alive.
The video offers a closer look at the boats, the racing community and the experience of sailing in the heart of Deep Creek Lake.
Watch the sailing video and read the earlier story here.
Thank you again to the Deep Creek Yacht Racing Association, the regatta organizers and volunteers, and everyone who took part in this year’s Sandy Douglass Memorial Regatta. It was a privilege to have my work included in such a meaningful event.
To see more of my paintings, visit my gallery here.
If you’re local or visiting the Deep Creek Lake area and would like to visit the studio, schedule a visit here.
Robert Yonke Art 