concludes successfully again, at the Regatta Village
The International Aruba Regatta 2025 concluded on Sunday, June 29th, after two thrilling days of racing and two award ceremonies, celebrating the participation and results of both young and adult sailors.
Youth and miniature boat trophies were presented by Tyson Lopez, CEO of Aruba Conservation Foundation, while trophies for other classes were awarded by Patrick Melchiors of Aruba Tourism Authority and Rik van der Vaart of the Aruba Regatta Foundation.
The Regatta opened on Friday, June 27th and races were held on Saturday the 28th and Sunday, June 29th. The third lustrum of 15 years was not just another Regatta… there was a sense in the air of extra excitement. Maybe it was because the weather was just perfect? Maybe it was because of all the new, young and older faces? Whatever, it was a wonderful event.
The Aruba International Regatta featured a diverse range of sailing classes, catering to various skill levels and interests, including:
*SailQubes: Another class for young sailors, offering a platform for juniors to demonstrate their sailing abilities.
*Optimist: Designed for very young sailors to showcase their skills and compete against their peers.
* -11 Beginners: Featuring racing boats known for their speed and agility, navigated by beginning young sailors in this class.
* F-11 Advanced: This class was for more skilled young sailors.
* Beachcats: High-performance, lightweight catamarans raced by two-person crews, built for speed and excitement.
* Sunfish: A popular single-handed class navigating small, easily maneuverable sailboats, providing both exciting and challenging experiences.
* 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.
We welcomed and hosted close to 60 sailors, including 2 new participants from Curacao and 2 new participants from Bonaire. A returning sailor from the USA joined us again also and took the first prize in his category.
The growth of international sailors is a hopeful sign that the Aruba International Regatta is a high-quality sailing event which will continue to attract more sailors from abroad. We are looking forward to hosting them (and their friends) again next year.
A race-yacht from Curacao and 2 beachcats could not make it to the startline in time. Next year we expect them to make it and make up for it. The following number of boats per class got to the startline:
* 10 Miniatuurboat captains, each with maximum 3 boats
*19 Youth sailors in the Windsurf, Optimist, SailQube and F11 classes
*12 Sunfishes
*1 Beachcats with crew of 2
*2 Racing Class Yachts with a crew of 5
The Gods of Nature watched over the Regatta, and we were blessed with perfect sailing weather both days, we could not ask for more.
We had two rescue boats on the water again this year both with certified lifeguards to ensure we do what we can to be able to handle any emergency together with the land based team of EMS.
Trampolin pa Trabao arranged the menu and delivered again on their promise. They also provided snacks during the opening and the after party on Sunday. This year everybody under the tent was invited to participate in the lunch, with compliments from the Regatta, with a free beverage.
The redesigned trophies were delivered by Plastics Beach Party, we thank them again for their very nice work.
Our Regatta-reggae band, THE ORIGINALZ, who plays only their own compositions, blew off the tent from its structure…
The International Aruba Regatta places a strong emphasis on youth sailing and marine conservation. The event aims to support and encourage young (and older of course) 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.
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 16th Aruba International Regatta in 2026.
