Join us on LOWISA
LOWISA is an international sailing regatta for racers and cruisers who share a love of freshwater sailing on beautiful Lake of the Woods. This year’s regatta (LOWISA 58) will take place from August 3 -10, 2024. This seven-day event includes six days of racing or cruising through the majestic Lake of the Woods featuring a mid-week layover and various social activities. Every night we will anchor in a new bay under endless starry skies and occasional northern lights making this an event truly unlike any other.
Our races do not follow a traditional round-the-buoys format but rather utilize islands as marks for our course challenging racers to navigate strategically between land masses. Racing is scored using the PHRF system with boats organized into divisions of similar ratings. This year’s event will feature two race registration options: our regular racing class (the usual 18-22 nm course with division starts) and a new leisure class (a pursuit- style race along a shortened 10-11 nm course). Throughout the week, the cruising fleet and support boats will navigate between our anchorages at their own pace.
Our regatta will launch from Northern Harbour, just outside of Kenora, Ontario. Most of our participants are racing or cruising aboard sailboats (18+ ft), however, we welcome individuals aboard powerboats and houseboats as well. If you’re hoping to attend the event aboard a sailboat smaller than 18 ft. or without a cabin, please contact us so that we can provide more information on how you can comfortably and safely participate in this event.
Online registration will open April 15, 2024.
How to Prepare
01. Get informed
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If you’re new to LOWISA, please review the information below in our frequently asked question’s section. If you have remaining questions about the event and how to prepare, please contact us.
02. REgister and pay
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Online event registration will open April 15, 2024. We will announce the opening of registration on our website and social media pages. When you’re ready to register, please visit our registration page then complete and submit your registration form (note there are registration forms for captains and crew). One you submit your form you will be redirected to our online store to pay your race fee (for racers only) and purchase your event bracelets (one per participant). Register early for a discounted price!
03. Provision
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Begin provisioning in advance and make sure you have all the gear you need (we’ll be adding a recommended packing list here shortly). Make sure to bring as much food, water, and other beverages as you need to support your entire crew for the seven-day event. Please be aware that there is usually no opportunity to restock during the week. Be sure to pack clothing and gear for all types of conditions (sun, rain, wind, heat, and insects). Be advised that the mosquitos can be intense, remember to pack repellent and mosquito netting for your hatches.
04. Attend the Skipper’s Meeting
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If traveling internationally, check border regulations and wait times online. Make your way to Northern Harbour by the morning of regatta check-in to launch your boat (be sure to schedule a launch time with the harbour in advance) and retrieve your registration package. Attend the Skippers Meeting in the evening.
Participant Safety
Our course takes us through remote and sometimes exposed inland waters and our participants should be prepared to safely sail, anchor, and navigate in these locations and in inclement weather. Please be advised that in the event of an illness or injury, it could take upwards of 2-3 hours to arrive at a medical facility from some points along our course.
All participants must comply with Coast Guard and Transport Canada requirements outlined for their vessel and must have a functioning VHF radio aboard their boat (we recommend a mounted VHF). All boats should have a separate handheld VHF radio as backup, as well as the capacity to charge a handheld VHF while underway. Additionally, all participants must have official paper navigational charts for Lake of the Woods covering the entire course area; corresponding chart numbers are outlined in the Notice of Race. Please be aware that phone service is limited on the lake, if you possess a satellite communicator, we recommend that you bring this along in case of an emergency.
If you have questions about these requirements or event safety in general, please contact us.
Important Documents
LOWISA 57 Notice of Race (NOR)
The Notice of Race contains important event information including information on eligibility, registration, event fees, safety, and scheduling.
LOWISA Anchorages
Please refer to the LOWISA 57 Handbook for the 2023 anchorages.