The Spirit Rider Regatta is an Ocean Sailing Race held in memory of Firefighter Patrick J. O'Keefe of the FDNY's Rescue Company One who died in the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Each September sailors from all over the country come together off the South Shore of Long Island to honor all of the brave souls lost on that fateful day in an effort to turn tragedy and heartbreak into hope and redemption. The participants in this exciting race include not only local seasoned and amateur sailors but such college teams as the United States Naval Academy, the United States Merchant Marine Academy, the United States Military Academy, Fordham University and the Georgetown University sailing teams.

All of the proceeds raised by this three day event are given away in Scholarships to high school seniors who suddenly find themselves in the precarious position of having to start their lives over. The two categories of starting over are:

a) starting over due to the loss of a parent to a violent act

OR b) starting over as an immigrant in the United States who has become an American Citizen.

"This is something that makes us feel a little closer to our brother Pat, a rescue fireman. We are trying to turn a negative into a positive by giving a hand up to young people in need of help. We strive to take getting an education off the table by making it one less thing these kids have to worry" about says Noreen Costello, O'Keefe's sister.

We invite everyone to check out the profile of those already on their way to a successful college career due to this race.