52nd Barefoot Open Regatta (BFO)
October 9 - 11, 2026
Welcome to the 52nd Annual Barefoot Open!
After more than 50 years, the Barefoot Open is the longest continually run regatta on Lake Lanier. It has a reputation as one of the best run and most fun regatta weekends offered on the lake. Come sail and celebrate with us! It’s a great way to spend the weekend!
This year’s Barefoot Open will be hosted at the Lake Lanier Sailing Club and begins on Friday evening with the Skipper’s Meeting and social. Skippers will pick up racing instructions, shirts and skipper bags, and we will provide a light dinner.
Racing begins on Saturday at 10:00 with award-winning US Sailing Judge and Barefoot member Edith Collins, and PRO Jonathan Stewart officiating. Barefoot’s own Racing Captain Matt Geiger will run a mark boat and will help with scoring.
Saturday’s racing will be followed by a delicious dinner and live music event on Saturday evening. Enjoy appetizers, tasty catered dinner entrees, and dessert. After dinner, our favorite band, Thunder Gypsy, will play a fun mix of popular music for your dancing and listening pleasure. Don’t miss out on the traditional Silent Auction fundraiser for Barefoot Sailing Club - we have some terrific items this year!
On Sunday, racing continues at 10:00 with the Awards Ceremony immediately following the end of racing. This year’s awards are truly unique, special, and hand crafted by Martelino Studios. Don’t miss your chance to take one of these beautiful awards home with you!
On behalf of the officers and members of Barefoot Sailing Club, I welcome the skippers and crew of the racing and cruising fleets, sailing friends both new and old, and our fabulous sponsors. I hope you enjoy this fun-filled weekend of racing and camaraderie! Welcome to the 2026 Barefoot Open Regatta!
Laura Clarke
2026 Commodore, Barefoot Sailing Club
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BOAT REGISTRATION / DINNER / SHIRTS * Opening early-mid September *
Register a boat, purchase dinner and/or shirts.
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COMPETITORS
Check out your competition, whether in the PHRF Spin/Non-Spin, PCRF or a One Design fleet.
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CREW/SKIPPER BOARD
Available to crew or skipper? Use the board for potential matching. Note, the board is public-facing, so any posted contact info is public. If preferred, feel free to put "bfscweb@gmail.com" and we'll forward inquiries.
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SPONSORS
Each year, our generous sponsors help make the Barefoot Open a successby donating their expertise, goods, and services. We hope you'll consider supporting their businesses. See last year's 2025 BFO PROGRAM and the 2025 SPONSORS page.
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VOLUNTEERS
Consider joining in the regatta preparations. Without the tireless effort of our many volunteers, the Barefoot Open would not be possible. We appreciate you all!
Sign up to help us with:-
Silent Auction and Sponsors
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Race Committee
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Skipper Bags
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Social Committee
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SATURDAY NIGHT DINNER AND DANCE PARTY
Thunder Gypsy is back by popular demand! So, bring your dancing shoes.
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SATURDAY NIGHT DINNER
The anticipated menu includes:
Appetizers
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Seasonal Green Salad
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Arrangement of Breads with Flavored Butters
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Parsley Red Potatoes
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Wedding Rice
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Sauteed Green Beans
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Zucchini and Yellow Squash
Entrees
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Chicken Piccata (Sauteed chicken breast with wine, lemon and capers)
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Tuscan Salmon (Pan roasted Salmon; blistered tomatoes; and spinach)
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Stuffed Mushrooms