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HomeCaribbeanCaribbean Regatta Schedule: April to December 2015

Caribbean Regatta Schedule: April to December 2015

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Every season is regatta season in the Caribbean. Here is a sampling of some of the events happening for the rest of 2015. For a full list of events please confirm on our calendar: https://www.allatsea.net/calendar/

 

April 2-6:
Bequia Easter Regatta
Some 45 to 55 yachts will race in five classes in this perennially favorite event. New is a modified course for the Racing Class on Saturday which includes a windward-leeward leg before the finish. Also, the Surprise Class will race alongside the J/24s, but still in class, in a specially devised six-race series. “Ours is an unbeatable small island regatta with the biggest turnout in the region, with the added spectacle of 30 or more local double enders also competing on the same waters,” explains Nicola Redway, secretary of the Bequia Sailing Club.

 

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April 13-18:
Oyster Regatta BVI
The emphasis is on fun, parties and racing for Oyster owners, friends and families. Hosted out of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Virgin Gorda, sailing will start in Tortola and follow a route around other BVIs to a ‘round Virgin Gorda race. www.oysteryachts.com/events/140/Oyster-Regatta-BVI-/

 

Les Voiles de St. Barth
Les Voiles de St. Barth

April 13-18:
Les Voiles de St. Barth
Comanche and Rambler 88, the yachting world’s two newest and most sophisticated racing machines will compete head-to-head for the first time. Over 75 yachts total will race on courses that circumnavigate the island. On shore, there are nightly parties, a lay-day treasure hunt of caviar at Nikki Beach, and fireworks following the Awards Ceremony. “Our strength is in offering a regatta with a magical presence. St Barth is beautiful, and the small islands all around it are great for creating exciting coastal racing,” says director, Luc Poupon. www.lesvoilesdesaintbarth.com

 

Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta. Photo courtesy of Antigua Classics Regatta
Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta. Photo courtesy of Antigua Classics Regatta

April 15-21:
Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta
Fifty to 60 yachts, including the J-class 1934-built America’s Cup winner, Rainbow, will set sail in what is likely the largest gathering of classic racing yachts at one time in the Caribbean. “Our format has proven successful for the last 27 years and we have a high level of return competitors. Therefore, the only changes this year are one day of registration (formally two) and prize-giving on the evening of the last (4th) race rather than the following day,” says press officer, Ginny Field. antiguaclassics.com

 

Antigua Sailing Week. Photo: Tim Wright - Photoaction
Antigua Sailing Week. Photo: Tim Wright – Photoaction

April 25-May 1:
Antigua Sailing Week
The new Gunboat 55, Toccata, along with other Gunboats (high performance cruising cats), will be among the 100 plus yachts that make up the racing fleet. “The multihull class seems to be growing, so we have focused on creating some interesting courses with more reaching legs for them to have fun,” says Kathy Lammers, regatta organizing committee chairman. A new app available to Android and IOS users enables spectators and armchairs sailors to keep up to date with the action on the race course as well as access competitions (available only to those who download the app). www.sailingweek.com

 

April 30-May 3:
West Indies Regatta
Beach-built Caribbean sloops and schooners are the focus. Special this year is the Caribbean Premiere of the feature documentary Vanishing Sail, The Story of a Caribbean Tradition, at the St. Barth Film Festival on April 30. Food, music and an island market add to the festivities. westindiesregatta.com

 

May 8-10:
Anguilla Regatta
Eighteen racing, cruising and multihull yachts will race from St. Maarten to Road Bay, Anguilla, on Friday, sail two to five races on triangle and figure 8 courses Saturday, and set off on a longer race out near Prickly Pear Island on Sunday. “Anguilla is a throw-back to the original Caribbean Regatta where the focus is on the sailors having a good day racing and then a good night partying at an easily accessible location up and down the beach,” says director Donald Curtis. All proceeds benefit the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club and ensure that its junior sailing program survives and grows. www.anguillaregatta.com

 

May 8-10:
Nevis Booby Island Cup and Sailing Festival
Born from humble beginnings with just three yachts blazing around the stunning Booby Island, the regatta has grown to an epic, three day, yacht extravaganza with 16 yachts taking part in 2014. The Regatta starts Friday with ‘Chase the Monkey’ – a classic pursuit race from St Kitts to Nevis via Monkey Shoals. The following day is ‘Round de Rock’, a circumnavigation of Nevis for the more serious racers. On Sunday it’s the timeless ‘Booby Island Cup’ where you could win a beer or a second hand T-shirt. “The Booby Island Sailing festival is an end of season wind-down for all sailors and rum drinkers looking to have a little informal rivalry before heading across the pond,” says Nevis Yacht Club Rear Commodore Brett Williams. www.boobyislandregatta.com

 

May 21-24:
Barbados May Regatta
Over 30 racers, cruisers, one-design J/24s and multihulls from throughout the Eastern Caribbean will put their skills to the test on tailored race courses. Like last year, scoring is by Regatta Guru and the event is registered with Sailors for the Sea as a Clean Regatta. Homeport is the 91-year-old Barbados Yacht Club in Carlisle Bay. “There is fantastic camaraderie amongst the sailors and lively after-race parties. If you have not sipped a Mount Gay and coconut water, come join us!” invites organizer Penny McIntyre. www.sailbarbados.com

 

May 22-24:
Foxy’s Wooden Boat Regatta
Classic woodies and classic plastics (fiberglass boats over 30 years old) are invited to sail in waters around the BVI’s Jost Van Dyke. All festivities take place at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar in Great Harbour. foxysbar.com/woodenboatregatta

 

June 15-21:
International Optimist Regatta
Eighty to 100 (eight-to 15-year-old) sailors participate in clinics, team racing and fleet racing proving some of the best Opti competition in North America. “We are working with many smaller Caribbean island programs in hopes of boosting Caribbean attendance this year,” says director, Margo Lynch. www.styc.net and www.regattanetwork.com/event/9323

 

July 5 to 12:
Optimist North American Championships
Antigua Yacht Club (AYC) hosts this one-design continental junior sailing regatta that will welcome 175 entries from North America and the World. Wadadli Cats will offer spectating day charters. “Nelson’s Dockyard is one of the best to hold an event like this and we’d like to attract other associations to hold their championships here,” says AYC commodore, John Duffy.

 

July 24-August 3:
Carriacou Regatta Festival
This wooden workboat regatta celebrates its 50th anniversary. Shoreside activities include beach parties, live entertainment and donkey racing. www.facebook.com/carriacou.regatta?hc_location=timeline

 

Aruba International Regatta. Photo courtesy of Aruba International Regatta
Aruba International Regatta. Photo courtesy of Aruba International Regatta

August 14-16:
Aruba Regatta
Eighty sails, including a spectacular beach cat class, will race off Surfside beach between Aruba’s airport and Oranjestad. “New since 2014 are the self-built boat demonstrations and race, a SUP competition and micro-boat classes,” says organizer Eric Mijts. “We’ll welcome participants from Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Venezuela, the USA, the Netherlands and Belgium. http://aruba-regatta.com  

 

October TBD:
Bonaire International Sailing Regatta
Classes for Optimists, Sunfish, beach cats, board-sailors, kite-surfers and sailing yachts compete for a week in Kralendijk Bay to earn their class championships. www.bonaireregatta.org

 

St. Croix International Regatta–winner Stan Joines and his all youth crew. Photo: Trish Rhodes
St. Croix International Regatta–winner Stan Joines and his all youth crew. Photo: Trish Rhodes

November 13-15:
St. Croix International Regatta
Over 35 yachts in Rhodes 19, Melges 32, Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker racing and Jib & Main classes sail in the Buck Island channel. “We may add an overall trophy. That seems to have gone by the wayside for many regattas and it’s a bit more work for the race committee, but worth it in the end,” says organizer Karen Stanton. Hospitality and the Rum weigh-in are trademarks. www.stcroixyc.com/regatta

 

November 27-29:
St. Lucia Mango Bowl Regatta
“A feature of our regatta are one-design J24 and Surprise Classes, which race together for some exciting finishes,” says coordinator Anne Purvis. CSA Racing and Cruising classes also participate. Class winners receive a hand-made pottery mango bowl crafted by a local artist. Entertainment includes Beach BBQ and live music at the yacht club. stluciayachtclub.com

 

Double Broach! Carlos Aguilar Match Race, St. Thomas. Photo: Dean Barnes
Double Broach! Carlos Aguilar Match Race, St. Thomas. Photo: Dean Barnes

December 4-6:
Carlos Aguilar Match Race
Ten teams from the U.S. and Europe match race in St. Thomas’ Charlotte Amalie harbor. “We hand pick competitors that are good match racers and also personalities in the sport,” says director Bill Canfield. “Kid’s involvement is huge with a high school sailor on every boat.” www.carlosmatchrace.com

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Carol_Bareuther
Carol_Bareuther
Carol M. Bareuther, RD, is a St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands based marine writer and registered dietitian.
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