Charity Sailboat Race Marks Site of Ill-Fated Jet Star Roller Coaster

Participants in the Metedeconk River Yacht Club’s JetStar Regatta. (Photo: MRYC)

The Jet Star Regatta, an annual sailboat race hosted by the Metedeconk River Yacht Club, will set sail next month to raise funds to support the Visitation Relief Center in Brick, and raise awareness of those whose lives were changed by Superstorm Sandy.

The race, scheduled for Aug. 13, is named for the Jet Star roller coaster in Seaside Heights, which fell into the ocean from Casino Pier during Superstorm Sandy. About 25 boats will race from Manasquan Inlet to the resting spot of the roller coaster, then return to the inlet.

The Jet Star roller coaster in the ocean off a battered Casino Pier following Superstorm Sandy. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

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The Jet Star Regatta was founded soon after Superstorm Sandy to pay respect to the communities of the barrier island and demonstrate the resilience of the Jersey Shore sailing community, race officials said. In the summer of 2013, the Auxiliary Fleet of the Metedeconk River Yacht Club organized the first race to sail from Manasquan Inlet to the final resting spot of the ride, hugging the coastline each way. Awards were announce at dinner that night at the club.

The event grew, and 17 auxiliary sailboats participated in the second annual event. Over the first two years of the event, a further goal arose of honoring those whose lives were changed by the storm and to help in the continuing relief effort. Proceeds of the regatta were donated to Visitation Relief Center in Brick.

For more information on the event and where to spot the boats from shore, as well as a charity raffle that is also held, visit the race website.