Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) annual conference

Sailing Program Managers and Regatta Organizers from the Caribbean joined 3-day Conference in St. Maarten hosted by the Caribbean Sailing Association © Caribbean Sailing Association

Simpson Bay, St. Maarten - The Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) hosts an annual conference for sailing program managers, regatta organizers and measurers from the Caribbean. This year the conference was hosted in St. Maarten during the Caribbean Dinghy Championships that was organized by the Sint Maarten Yacht Club. The conference serves as a platform to share knowledge, develop sailing in the region and inspire the CSA membership at the start of the sailing season.

This year the event was hosted in person again, but due to logistical restraints, an online option was added, turning it into a hybrid event. With in-person participation from members from St Croix, Bermuda, Antigua, St. Maarten, Barbados and online presence by members from the USVI's, Grenada, BVI and Trinidad, it was well attended with a good representation from the entire region. Sailors for the Sea representatives Emily Conklin and Jennifer Brett joined from the USA to familiarize themselves with the latest developments regarding "Green Initiatives" at the different regattas.

Friday morning started with the Annual General Meeting, presenting what developments have been taking place in the previous year, the projected adjustments to the rating rule and what can be expected for the upcoming season. The Board was elected, with Michele Korteweg re-elected as President and new board members Saskia Revelman from the Sint Maarten Yacht Club, Jenny Trumble from Grenada and Bruno Kancel from Guadeloupe.

Throughout the weekend a variety of topics were presented with a number of noteworthy speakers. The conference was kicked off with a presentation on International Regatta Trends with Peter Holmberg (CSA Past President, Olympian medalist, and America's Cup winner) and Laurence Mead Regatta Manager of Cowes Week, who shared their experiences at other events and outlook for the Caribbean season. This was followed by a presentation about developments in Foiling by Luca Rizzotti from Foiling Week, Bruno Kancel and Max van den Pol and Sacha van der Wouden of the Caribbean Foiling Championships.

The second day was focused more on sailing development with presentations by the Ministry of Sailing regarding safety standards at sailing events, gender inclusion and diversity in sailing by Meg Riley from the Magenta Project and best practices to host Clean Regattas by Emily Conklin.

During the lunch break, conference participants were taken on the water by Garth Steyn, owner of the Maritime School of the West Indies, to watch the racing in the Caribbean Dinghy Championships. "With such great information being shared and the discussions that follow, the positive energy you get is simply amazing. Being able to see what we are talking about, talented sailors competing in the Caribbean Dinghy Championship, is just great. There is a fantastic network in the Caribbean and such talented sailors. Looking at ways to grow sailing in the Caribbean and bringing more people to enjoy the fantastic racing in our region are important goals for the CSA. Bringing organizers, sailing program managers and sailors together is a valuable addition to our Organization". Said CSA President Michele Korteweg.

The final day of the conference started with the Sailor's Hour, allowing regular regatta participants to provide input and feedback to regatta organizers for them to further develop the Regattas in the region. Peter Lewis with his J-121 Whistler, spoke about his personal experiences attending many of the Caribbean Regattas in 2022. Lucy Jackson, owner and director of LV Yachting, an industry leader in arranging bespoke racing charters in the Caribbean and around the world, provided feedback from charter guests from 2022 and updates with the interest in race charters for the upcoming season.

The conference ended with lunch at the Sint Maarten Yacht Club while watching the prize-giving of the Caribbean Dinghy Championships. With 4 competing nations, the talent on the water was incredible and the competition was fierce. With individual class winners announced, the real excitement started when the winner of the Nations Cup was presented, which was Antigua for a second year in a row.

Throughout the weekend, conference participants and sailors joined social engagements with dinners at Buccaneer Beach Bar and the Sint Maarten Yacht Club. The CSA Conference and Caribbean Dinghy Championships could not have happened without the support of the sponsors: IGY Marinas, Port of St. Maarten, Dominos Pizza, Zee Best Bakery, the Scuba Shop, Budget Marine and the Maritime School of the West Indies.

For more information about the Caribbean Sailing Association please visit caribbean-sailing.com and for the Caribbean Dinghy Championship visit www.smyc.com/caribbeandinghychampionship.