ROCKLAND — Folks from all over New England came to play on Chickawaukie Pond, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2024, drawing attention as they sailed their wind-driven crafts across the ice.

Now in its 30th year, the Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club and the New England Ice Yacht Association have played host to passionate winter sailors, travelling with them to locations suitable for the clubs’ needs.

They were not fortunate, however, to conduct the desired winter regatta competition that is a favorite annual event.

“We have to find the right ice,” said Chickawaukie Ice Boat president John Stanton. “This year, technically it’s supposed to be in New England. But I don’t think we have a venue suitable for a hundred racers.”

Chickawaukie, he said, would not work. It’s too small.  

In fact, had Sebago Lake met the needed conditions this weekend, the group would be there right now. 

Standing next to Stanton, until going to his car to get warm, was one of those passionate sailors – a resident of Cape Cod who has travelled as far as Madison, Wisconsin for one of these events. Other states represented today include Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

As a Plan B to the regatta, the groups returned to this annual destination based on the suggestion of a founding member, Lloyd Roberts, now retired, who happens to live in this area.

The Saturday event was anticipated to begin at noon, but organizers decided to hold off for an hour or so. The wind proved to be too strong for competition, and the glare on the ice irritated some eyes, but nevertheless, as a couple of other parties fished, and one woman skated, sailing participants took to the ice, socializing, comparing crafts, and laying down in order to maintenance hulls before taking the running starts necessary to built momentum and sail away.

Stanton said that Chickie is one of the first ice locations that he’d ever stepped on, about 30 years ago. When asked if the groups have plans to return next year for any reason, Stanton said they’ll be here “whenever the ice is here.”

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com