Orange Bowl Regatta kicks off regatta season

The Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta was in town for the past few days, it ends today, December 30. Coral Reef Yacht Club was their home for the few days. This is the first major regatta of the regatta season, which overtakes the Coconut Grove waterfront for the next six months.

The Regatta hosts world-class sailing talent in a five-day event that has become the largest international youth regatta in the U.S. and South America for sailors ages 8 to 18. Over 700 sailors from 20 countries, past regatta participants have achieved notoriety in the sailing world, including current U.S. Junior Women's single handed champion, Sophia Reineke, who competed in the 2013 event.

The Orange Bowl Regatta is striving to become a certified Clean Regatta at the Bronze Level. It's important of them to recycle and use filtered water and mainly they strive to keep the waterways and shores clean of all debris.

They also respect sea life like manatees and sea turtles and they know to avoid the animals at all costs. There is no anchoring on sea grass or coral beds and there are monetary fines for this.

The Regatta crews not only spends the days sailing but there are sailing forums and a College Night also a raffle and party. 

Race results may be seen here.

Photos by Matías Capizzano