Orange Bowl Regatta celebrating 69th year

Last year's regatta on the bay behind Mercy Hospital.

The four-day Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta (OBIYR) is back in Coconut Grove for their 69th annual event. Young sailors from around the world will take part from December 26 to 30; taking up daily residence in Biscyane Bay, with the Grove's shoreline as ground zero. They will sail daily from 8 am to 4 pm.

This is the largest youth regatta in the U.S. attracting more than 675 competitors from 27 states and 23 countries. One of the largest dinghy regattas for sailors ages eight to 18 in the world, the OBIYR will be held at the Coral Reef Yacht Club with support from their neithbors, the U.S. Sailing Center Miami, Lauderdale Yacht Club, and Shake-A-Leg Miami. 

“Coral Reef Yacht Club is proud to be involved in this premier event, which provides up-and-coming sailors with an opportunity to race competitively and become more active within the sailing community,” said OBIYR Chair Lori Harvey. “Besides the excitement of the regatta, more than half of the sailors and their families come from outside of South Florida and spend an average of 5-6 nights here, which helps support our local economy in the form of hotel nights, food, transportation, and retail sales.”  

High school sailors from Ransom Everglades, Gulliver Prep, Coral Gable Senior High and Westminster Christian School will compete in the regatta.

The four days of competition feature several types of vessels: Optimists, Lasers (Full, Radial, and 4.7), and Club 420s.  This year’s regatta has already reached its cap in all three categories, and fleets are being put on a wait list. 

This year’s top local Opti sailor will be presented with a trophy sponsored by the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District. 

For more information or a daily schedule of events, please visit coralreefyachtclub.org  or call 305-781-5177.