This year, we are supporting the next generation of sailors on the water by being a proud sponsor of the Optimist World Championship regatta. Taking place in English Harbour, Antigua, 300 youth sailors from over 50 countries will come together and participate in sailing races from the July 6 – 16 2019.
The Optimist World Championship has been going on since 1962 and has been hosted by countries all over the globe. It is the biggest youth racing class in the world, so of course we had to be a part of it. It is also one of the few sports where girls and boys compete alongside each other. The small dinghy is known as an ‘opti,’ or ‘bathtub’, and is intended for use by children up to the age of 15. Come and find out more about it.
Antigua Has it All
Antigua is one of the two major islands that make up the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda. A place to find both escape and culture, Antigua boasts enamel-blue waters and candy-colored houses are filled with friendly locals. Competitors and their supporters will all enjoy a vibrant international hub and a peacefulness akin to tropical paradise.
Antigua is the perfect destination for this year’s championship event. Here’s why:
- Venue: Nelson’s Dockyard will be in low season, so there is plenty of room for all the international visitors and competitors. It is also the only working Georgian dockyard in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Weather: Competitors can expect warm water and average winds of 8 to 18 knots
- Beaches: Sailors flock here as they are spoiled for choice when it comes to sunbathing and swimming. There is said to be 365 distinct beaches in Antigua, one for every day of the year.
- Sailing community: Antigua Yacht Club is the home of some of the most prestigious sailing events such as RORC Caribbean 600, Antigua Classic Regatta, and Antigua Sailing Week, which we also sponsor.
A Quintessentially Caribbean Regatta
The regatta is an all-Caribbean affair. The International Optimist Dinghy Association is incorporating Caribbean-based companies and people to make the event authentic and filled with a quintessentially Caribbean flare.
Most of the championship sponsors are local companies or those from neighboring islands.
Sponsors include National Parks Antigua, Antigua Yacht Club Marina & Resort and marine supply store North Sails and Oasis Water.
Encouraging More Youth and Female Sailing
This year, the 2019 World Championship in Antigua will have a strong female presence. 15% of the sailors will be girls and 20% of the Antigua team will be female. DYC is dedicated to encouraging more women at sea and reminding the sailing industry that sailing is a sport and pastime open to all.
We have a significant presence in the Caribbean with 12 bases offering a gateway to some of the best winds, waters, wildlife and wonderfully surprising people. We are thrilled to be contributing to the healthy growth of a young sailing generation, be they from the Caribbean or worldwide.
Learn More
Come join us for the Optimist World Championship regatta in Antigua, or start planning your beach tour of the Caribbean’s best by browsing our Antigua fleet. Email us at [email protected] or give us a call at 855.650.8902.
