Sailing in Sea of Pink: Regatta for the Cure to set sail to raise funds for breast cancer research
Suzanne Rent


The idea behind Regatta for the Cure started out as a small
statement. Amanda (AJ) Quarmby-Bennett and a number
of women had been sailing out of the Shearwater Yacht Club
(SYC) for a couple of years. Quarmby-Bennett previously sailed
and raced, but many of the women had not. Their first races were
about building confidence then place finishing. However, they
quickly gain a reputation not only for their ability to win, but for
the distinct bright pink shirts they wore while sailing. The team
was dubbed ‘The Pink Ladies’ because of those shirts.




Like many other women’s teams, they found there are very few lady skipper regattas.




“Winning against the guys is great,” says Quarmby-Bennett,
“but there should be more races out there for us. This started out
to be ‘just’ another lady skipper race.”




But having a race itself wasn’t enough. Those pink shirts
inspired Quarmby-Bennett to think a race could be more. She
took her proposal to the club’s commodore and the executive
committee to have a regatta. Quarmby-Bennett then joined
forces with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Atlantic
Region to use the race as a way to raise money for breast cancer
research. The group approved the idea, making the Regatta for
the Cure a first in Canada.




The event, which will take place on Jul. 11, has quickly gained
momentum. Quarmby-Bennett the originator and event
coordinator, managed to get the backing of Capital Health and
IWK Health Centre (the CEO’s of both organizations have been
invited to judge the parade of sail). The regatta also is internationally recognized by the Boston Yacht Club. The Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race, (boats arriving in Halifax around Jul. 8 and 9) is encouraging the boats to participate in the Regatta for the Cure
through a website they set up.




Quarmby-Bennett said one of the most important parts of
the event for her is helping people to understand more about
breast cancer. She says several survivors, including a few men,
have stepped forward to help out.




“We have to get the message out that breast cancer is not just
a women’s disease”, Quarmby-Bennett explains. “This is not a
race just for women but by everyone for everyone. To me, that’s
the most important part: getting that message out.”



And men are jumping on the pink bandwagon too, donning
pink T-shirts, sweaters, buttons and offering to help plant pink
flowers at the club.




The day will begin with a parade of sail along Halifax’s
waterfront. The race itself will take place in the afternoon
through out the harbour. Liana’s Ransom, native to Halifax, will be in port during the Tall Ships Festival and will be participating in the Regatta for the Cure. The hull and cannons be painted pink in support of the regatta, while they will take part in the parade of sail and committee boat. Keeping with the theme of this regatta, the
classes (primer, A, B, Cruiser, and One design) will be renamed
in bra sizes from A Cup to D Cup and Sports Bras.




“It’s all about the boobs, so why not have fun with it?”
Quarmby-Bennett says.




To enter the regatta the crew from each boat are given pledge
forms from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Atlantic
Region. Quarmby-Bennett says the goal for this event is to raise
$25,000.




“This is a day of celebration for those who are fighting and
surviving breast cancer. It is wonderful that some boats are
welcoming those individuals to be crew for the day.”
With plenty of entertainment during the day, barbecues, a
silent auction, and a dance feature live music by a local band 40
Fingers, will make this a day to remember.




Quarmby-Bennett says she is already thinking about next
year’s regatta. Still she admits she’s occasionally overwhelmed by
the support they have received.




“It was a small statement. I never thought it would turn out
this way. Sometimes it was a rollercoaster (planning it), but now
we’re ready.”




For more information, go to http://syclub.users.pspmembers.com.