SYRACUSE — The hosting of the 33rd annual Wawasee E-Scow Open Regatta on Lake Wawasee, June 4-5, was the perfect time to try out a registered drone. Ryan Nell and Jeff Herdrich, race enthusiasts and lake residents, were following the regatta in a pontoon and used one of their drones to video the event.

Posted on YouTube by Ben Herdrich, it provided a unique vantage point of the event. Herdrich, who was among the crew sailing in the race, edited the video following the event. “You can see specific fleets or as a whole, as well as the surrounding lake,” he said. He sent the video to the Wawasee Property Owners Association and Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation.

Herdrich stated he is uncertain whether it was his father, Jeff’s drone, or his brother-in-law, Nell’s. However he does know Nell operated the drone. The drone followed the regatta throughout the event.

Drones are being used by others at sailing events and other sporting events. “It’s a great tool to use and gives you a unique vantage point.” This is the first time the family has used their drone and are anticipating using it in future sailing events on different lakes.