Connecting water lovers in Oyster Bay

Oakcliff Sailing hosted its second annual Water Lovers' Mixer on April 26, drawing around 250 attendees for a night of community-building and camaraderie focused on marine activities and the protection of the area's waterways.

The event, held at Oakcliff’s headquarters, welcomed guests from various backgrounds and interests, including sailboat racers and cruisers, powerboaters, kayakers, rowers, kiters, paddleboarders, and conservationists. The gathering offered a chance for people with a passion for the water, water sports and nature to connect with others who share their interests.

Dawn Riley, executive director of Oakcliff, described the event as an opportunity to bring together people from diverse marine backgrounds, emphasizing the significance of fostering connections and a sense of community around Oyster Bay's water resources.

“Oyster Bay is surrounded by the water, and a significant number of people don’t even know there’s water there because you can’t see it,” Riley said. “The more we can connect the community with this amazing resource, the better.”

Attendees wore name tags marked with different stars, indicating whether they had a boat, wanted a boat, or identified as a racer, cruiser, or extreme sports enthusiast, among other categories. This labeling helped facilitate conversations and introductions.

The event was casual, featuring refreshments provided by sponsors such as Oakcliff, Friends of the Bay, Sagamore Yacht Club, Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, Oyster Bay Community Rowing, Cold Spring Harbor Beach Club, the WaterFront Center, Oyster Bay Brewing Company, and Regatta Craft Mixers.

The night included brief welcoming remarks from Bill Bleyer, president of Friends of the Bay, and Riley, acknowledging local elected officials for their attendance and thanking the event's partners for their support. Despite being scheduled to end at 8 p.m., Riley said the gathering extended past 9 p.m. as attendees continued to mingle and enjoy the festivities.

Riley noted that attendees ranged from local residents to those traveling from neighboring states and even as far as Connecticut. The diverse crowd highlighted the broad appeal of Oyster Bay's waterways and the importance of uniting marine enthusiasts for the greater good of the community.

“We’re all collaborators, and the common thread is that we all want to protect and preserve the waterfront and increase accessibility to more and more people,” Riley said. “There has to be a balance, and everybody needs a voice.”

The Water Lovers' Mixer aims to increase awareness and appreciation of the region's water resources while fostering collaboration among different groups. Oakcliff Sailing's ongoing efforts contribute to maintaining and enhancing Oyster Bay's ecological balance and accessibility for all.

To learn more about the event or Oakcliff Sailing's programs, visit Oakcliff's website at OakcliffSailing.org.