A local sailing club is planning a special regatta for veterans in the community.

Members of the Watauga Lake Sailing Club will host the Veterans Sailing Regatta on Saturday, May 6, and they are looking for veterans who would like to sign up to help crew on a sailboat.

“We work with the Mountain Home VA in Johnson City. They bus the veterans over to us,” said Anita Remme, Commodore of the Watauga Lake Sailing Club. “And all veterans are welcome to participate, but they must RSVP. We can only accommodate 80 veterans.”

No sailing experience is necessary for those who wish to participate in the regatta, Remme said.

Check in for the race is at Noon on May 6 at Lakeshore Marina.

After the regatta, Remme said the club will host a celebration with live music and will provide dinner to all the veterans.

According to information provided by Remme, getting veterans on the water can provide physical, mental, and emotional therapy for a variety of injuries and illnesses.

The event also provides the veterans a chance to display some of their most natural abilities: teamwork and competitive drive.

The goal of the regatta is to introduce the veterans to sailing as an outlet to help them with whatever injuries or illnesses they face. The event also allows the veterans the chance to socialize with their comrades as well as meet new people in the community.

Veterans interested in taking part in the Veterans Sailing Regatta, or anyone seeking additional information about the event, are asked to contact Anita Remme by telephone at 423-341-3123 or by e-mail at doevalley@comcast.net.