Calling all "person-powered" watercraft! The 21st annual Southport Rowgatta, which encompasses 12 nautical miles is on Saturday, Aug. 9, starting at the town landing at Newagen on Southport Island.

The event benefits Boothbay Region YMCA’s Aquatics programs, which include the free second grade learn-to-swim program where all second grade students on the peninsula learn to swim at the Y for free.  Registration and information is available at the Y front desk and at www.boothbayregionymca.org.

Individuals or teams are welcome to register a dingy, rowboat, canoe, kayak, ocean shell or any other craft that is seaworthy. No sail or powerboats allowed. There is a $35 fee for each participant prior to the day of the event and a $40 fee the day of.

On the morning of August 9, registration at the Town Landing at Newagen begins at 7 a.m. The launch time ETA is 8:30 a.m. Each registrant will receive an official 21st Annual Southport Rowgatta T-shirt, refreshments before and after the event, and everyone is eligible for an exciting array of prizes. Packets with maps and list of rules can be picked up the day of the event at the event site.

There are three legs to the 12 nautical mile race: from the landing to Cozy Harbor, from Cozy Harbor to Robinson's Wharf, and from the Wharf back to the Newagen Town Landing.

Special thanks to the following: Boothbay Harbor Coast Guard Auxiliary – Flotilla 25, United States Coast Guard and others in our community for providing our boat crew coverage.

In the event of bad weather, please contact the Y at 633-2855 by 6:30 a.m. to find out if the event has been canceled or not. There will be no rain date or refunds. We will also post it on the Boothbay Region YMCA Facebook page and website should the event be canceled.

For more information, contact the YMCA at 633-2855 or go to www.boothbayregionymca.org.