Courtesy of: Aruba Regatta Foundation
This weekend, August 16 and 17, the Aruba International Regatta will provide a unique experience with sailing competitions for yachts, beach cats, sunfishes, optimists, micro boats, windsurfers and kite surfers. The main regatta location is at Surfside, between the airport and the SEAruba Dive School. Participants in the yachts, sunfish and catamaran class will compete for the Budget Marine Cup. The coveted prize at a value of AWG 1000 will be awarded to the winner in the most competitive class. For the youngest sailors there will be optimist races on both days and there will be races for kite surfers in Oranjestad harbor, which will certainly render a spectacular view at lunch and at the end of the afternoon.
On Saturday and Sunday at 4:30 pm the Aruba Outrigger Paddle School and the Aruba Surf and Paddle School will offer try-outs and organize competitions for those interested. On Saturday afternoon a number of boat-building enthusiasts will show off their skills on the beach which will end in a sailing demonstration of the boats built. The all new Aruba Regatta micro-boat competition at Wilhelmina Park will provide regular competitions as well as long distance races in which the miniature-boat captains try to navigate as precisely as possible over a long distance. And of course there will be snacks and drinks on the beach.
The feedback for the 2013 edition was nothing short of amazing. The kids and parents of the optimist class were cheering on with the sailing action right before them in a safe environment. The sunfish class participants were very happy with the location and the courses. Theo Poiesz and Richard van der Wal, veterans from the Aruba Sunfish Club personally came to thank and congratulate the organization. Robbie Ferron from Budget Marine mentioned that the organization was of very high caliber and he could not remember the last time he had so much fun in a regatta. The beach cats were in general happy with the courses, especially the long distance course and the location. And among the yachts, one particular crew member from the Dash from Curacao said: “the best regatta in the ABC’s!” They were happy with the level of the event, the short but challenging courses and the fact that everything from the marina where they made berth, the apartment where they stayed and the location of the regatta was all within walking distance.
With the invaluable support of sponsors like Budget Marine, Tranquilo Charters, ALBO construction, SEAruba, Kooyman, RoTech, Studio Advisory, Power Systems, ASD, ADCTRA, ISS Security, Zenitel, Del Rey Apartments and South Caribbean Sailing, this year’s regatta will be a remarkable event again. The participants are preparing for the races and a number of international competitors have confirmed their participation in the races.
You can pre-register for the races via a contact form on the website or call (+)297 5656887. Registration for all participants is on Friday Aug. 15 on Surfside Beach between 4 and 7 pm, after that, the regatta will be officially opened.
Visit www.aruba-regatta.com or facebook for the full schedule of events and more information.
Photos: © Aruba Regatta Foundation
