The International Aruba Regatta 2024 concluded on Sunday, June 30th, with two thrilling days of racing and two award ceremonies, celebrating the outstanding performances of both young and adult sailors.
Youth and miniature boat trophies were presented by Marylin Feliciana from Aruba Airport Authority, while trophies for other classes were awarded by Michelle Harms of Aruba Bank and Rik van der Vaart, president of the Aruba Regatta Foundation.
The exciting events and races took place from Friday, June 28th, to Sunday, June 30th. Given the enthusiastic reception from sailors and the public, the Aruba Regatta Foundation is already planning for next year’s 15th edition.
The Aruba International Regatta featured a diverse range of sailing classes, catering to various skill levels and interests, including:
- Optimist: Designed for very young sailors to showcase their skills and compete against their peers.
- SailQubes: Another class for young sailors, offering a platform for juniors to demonstrate their sailing abilities.
- F-11: Featuring racing boats known for their speed and agility, navigated by more skilled young sailors.
- Beachcats: High-performance, lightweight catamarans raced by two-person crews, built for speed and excitement.
- Windsurfers: An exciting class where sailors stand on a board and hold the sail for maximum speed and maneuverability. Competitions were held in three subclasses: Kids, Youth, and Adults.
- Sunfish: A popular single-handed class navigating small, easily maneuverable sailboats, providing both exciting and challenging experiences.
- Three Yacht Classes:
- Live-Aboard Open Yachts: For sailing yacht captains whose boats are not necessarily designed for competitive racing.
- Multihull: Racing multi-hulled sailboats, marking the second time in the regatta’s history that multihulls have participated.
- Racing Yachts: The most competitive class, bringing together the fastest yachts and attracting skilled sailors.
- Miniature Boats: Traditional 30-inch, 35-inch, and 40-inch handmade small boats reflecting Aruba’s maritime heritage, attracting sailors from other Caribbean islands.
The Aruba International Regatta continues to grow in quality and excitement each year, and this year’s event was no exception.
A record level of 98 sailors, including 31 youths, participated this year, in the following categories:
- 14 Miniatuurboat captains, each with maximum 3 boats
- 31 Youth sailors in the Windsurf, Optimist, SailQube and F11 classes
- 13 Sunfishes
- 4 Windsurfers (Adults)
- 3 Beachcats with crew of 2 each
- 2 Live-Aboard Cruisers Yachts each with crew of at least 5
- 1 Multihull Yacht with a crew of 5
- 3 Racing Class Yachts each with a crew of at least 5
The pleasant weather conditions made for excellent sailing across all classes! Alongside the thrilling races, the International Aruba Regatta featured delicious food from Trampolin pa Trabao and beverages for sailors, volunteers, and the public. Entertainment was provided by Sax Man Ronald Hopman on Saturday evening and the talented local reggae band, THE ORIGINALZ, who played only their own compositions, on Sunday. Adding to the vibrant beach ambiance was SON (Sound Optimizing Network), playing chill lounge music.
The International Aruba Regatta places a strong emphasis on youth sailing and marine conservation. The event aims to support and encourage young sailors, providing a healthy and fun platform for them to interact with each other and nature sustainably.
The Aruba International Regatta collaborates closely with Stichting Rancho, which tirelessly works to conserve Aruba’s culture, particularly Oranjestad’s Caribbean heritage. SYWA, Aruba’s sailing school, enjoys full support from the Regatta as they manage the youth sailing races.
This year, WRCA joined us at the Surfside location, sailing excellent courses in the Lagoon. Tactical upwind legs and fast downwind legs provided great conditions for the sailors to showcase their skills. Having WRCA with us at Surfside for both days enhanced the sense of community, integrating sailors from Aruba and the region across all classes, aligning with the Regatta’s intent.
Additionally, the Regatta promotes marine conservation, raising awareness about the importance of ocean protection and preservation. By combining the excitement of sailing with a focus on environmental stewardship, the International Aruba Regatta advocates a responsible approach to water sports and recreation.
The event brought the sailing community together for an unforgettable weekend. We are already looking forward to next year’s 15th Aruba International Regatta in 2025.
A heartfelt thank you to all who volunteered and helped in any way, especially the Aruba Regatta Team, whose collaborative efforts ensured the excellent execution of this event.
*Article written by Aruba Regatta Foundation
