40 Boats Raise $85K for Montreal AQVA Charity
The Regatta for AQVA event is a charity regatta that aims to raise funds for AQVA to continue providing opportunities for people with physical limitations to experience the joys of sailing on Lac Saint-Louis. AQVA’s mission is to ensure that everyone has equal access to this exhilarating sport.
Aug 23, 2023
photos by JP Mongeau
The Regatta for AQVA event is a charity regatta that aims to raise funds for AQVA to continue providing opportunities for people with physical limitations to experience the joys of sailing on Lac Saint-Louis. AQVA’s mission is to ensure that everyone has equal access to this exhilarating sport.
The event took place on August 19th, on Lac Saint-Louis, and delivered a day of excitement, fun, and philanthropy. Despite a 22 knot wind and rain, 40 boats from six West Island Montreal clubs took part raising $84,971, well over the 75K goal set.
About the Regatta
Patrick Flaherty, who was remembered in this year’s event, came to know AQVA in 2011 through his friend Paula Stone, who needed retired sailors to accompany the organization’s members on Martin 16 sailboats. Over the next year, he gained access to the organization’s financial data and realized that lack of money was a recurring issue.
With a background in sales and marketing, he felt that his volunteer work could be even more useful by raising funds, and began recruiting other members from his home port, the Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club (RSTLYC). His friend David Wisenthal proposed the concept of a fund-raising regatta. With the full support of the RSTLYC executive, the Regatta for AQVA was launched in 2013, as part of the club’s 150th anniversary celebrations. In that first year, 27 boats participated and raised $14,000.
