President - Charleston Race Week

Randy Draftz

Randy Draftz (USA) is the owner of Charleston Yachting and Regatta Management and organiser of Charleston Race Week. Charleston Yachting is a retailer and distributor for sailing equipment and rigging services located in North Charleston, SC. Regatta Management specializes in event management and consulting. He is also the Event Director for Sperry Charleston Race Week and has been involved in directing this regatta for the past nine years. Over its 20-year history, it has grown from a local championship event to become the largest gathering of sportboats and offshore handicap and one-designs in the U.S. In 2007, the regatta featured just 2 race circles and 136 entries. Last year, in 2015, there were close to 300 entries competing across six different race areas.Originally, from Chicago Ill., Draftz has been involved with sailing his entire life. He grew up sailing on the Great Lakes and raced aboard everything from Lehman 10 dinghies to maxi yachts. He has been in the marine industry for over 35 years and his passion for sailing anchors his work whether he’s specifying an electronics package for a racer or planning the details of one of the country’s major regattas. He has also served as the Rear Commodore and Commodore of the Charleston Ocean Racing Association, the founding organization and owner of Charleston Race Week.