We invite you and to come down to the Hubbards Community Waterfront to meet our schooners, captains and crews. Learn about our boats, the history of schooners in NS and volunteer opportunities to get involved in restoring schooners. With live traditional Scottish Celtic music by The Corbies, the festivities, refreshments and fun continue all afternoon on the dock.

Our media sponsor, COVE FM, and NSSA social media will announce the daily racecourses, best land-sighting points, and daily race results for each race all week.

Watch our social media for the best vantage points to view racing boats for each race.

We have some young students from the new Africville Sailing School racing with us today. See a dozen schooners leave the harbour for a day of competition and adventure in St. Margaret’s Bay each day.

Acclaimed singer/songwriter Lennie Gallant and his band play the Shore Club for the first time ever. The songs that define the Maritimes, in the venue that defines summer in Nova Scotia.

Old rivalries are reignited. The NS schooners will be trying to beat BLACKBIRD all week, a 40-foot schooner joining us this year from the US. Finally, we’ll have a chance to win back the Halifax Herald – International Schooner Race Trophy!

The Female Skipper Race brings out the real rivalry as women compete for the Willa Creighton Memorial Trophy, created over a decade ago by postmistress Rochelle Whynot from Riverport. Captain Val Doan, a Master Mariner and international sailor, has won this beautiful trophy for two years in a row, on Rencontre (2024) and on Commet II (2025). Can anyone beat Captain Doan this year?

Female sailors and non-sailors interested in learning more about sailing are invited to this free social event hosted by Captain Val Doan and friends from Wind, Women and Water.

Each morning at the Skipper’s Meeting on the wharf, the previous day’s race results are shared. We then determine which course to race based on the weather, wind strength, and other variables. Crews are always eager to get back to their boats and out into the Bay.

Moonshine Beach Party at Hubbards Beach with the Sable Pipeline Ska and Surf band, 8-11 pm. Advance tickets are $15 + tax/fees

Sponsored by the Hubbards Beach, Campground and Cabins. On-site bar services by Shore Club staff.

The final day of racing brings it all home. The schooner crews enjoy themselves out on the water for a final day of safe hijinks. Of course, fine weather is always appreciated, but what really thrills a schooner captain is plenty of good ol’ NS wind!