Schooner Virginia is racing—virtually—and we need your support! Your support will help us cross the finish line as only Virginia can, with all eight sails filled, to meet or exceed $4,000 in support of the Schooner Virginia’s preservation, educational programs, and upcoming participation in Sail250, a national maritime celebration in 2026.

Right now, Virginia is undergoing critical maintenance in Mystic, Connecticut. Your gift helps ensure she returns to Norfolk in early September stronger than ever and ready to serve the community through hands-on sailing experiences for students, public outreach programs, and more. Every gift helps keep Virginia sailing—thank you for being part of the crew!

The Schooner Virginia serves as a vital education platform for the Nauticus Foundation, engaging the Hampton Roads community through transformative maritime and hands-on learning experiences for students of all backgrounds and ages, museum visitors, and the general public. Funds will directly support community-based sailing experiences for students, public programming, and maintenance efforts that ensure Virginia is ready to represent Norfolk and the Commonwealth at one of the largest tall ship gatherings in decades.

Welcome to the 2025 Virtual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race!

While normal sailboat racing happens on the water, this race is completely online. Each participating schooner has teamed up with a nonprofit partner, and is racing to raise as much money as possible for their charity. YOU can participate in the race by choosing a schooner, making a contribution, and sharing this webpage with your family and friends!  90% of gifts will go directly to the charity of your choice. The other 10% will help the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race achieve its mission to promote awareness of the Chesapeake Bay’s heritage; to encourage preservation of the Bay’s resources; to support Chesapeake Bay education and clean-up efforts; to bring historic schooners to the Bay; and to encourage schooner sailing and preservation. 

Please take a moment to learn more about our schooners and the organizations they support. At the start of the race, please come back here to make a donation and support your team!

Donation links will be available from 12:00 noon on Wednesday, August 13 through 3:00 PM on Saturday, August 16. 

Thank you for supporting our schooner community!

Please note:  GCBSR will only share your contact information with the charity you donated to.