Are you ready to see powerboats skip across the surface of the Intracoastal at speeds up to 175 mph? Well if you’re not, it’s time to get ready because the annual Stuart Sailfish Regatta is coming to the area this weekend and record crowds are expected to fill the beaches to watch the yearly extravaganza.
When this year’s Regatta kicks off Friday night with a VIP party, it will return to the shores of Stuart with a following and strong foothold in the international boat racing community.
Not only do the two days of races bring thousands of people out to see the boats skip across the water at 175 mph, it makes a lasting impact on the community as a whole.
Proceeds from the races are donated to the U.S. Sailing Center in Jensen Beach and the Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast. Ancillary impacts are even more far reaching than that, said Sergio Nativi, past Regatta president and current treasurer.
Stuart Sailfish Regatta
When: Friday through Sunday. The VIP party in downtown Stuart begins at 7 p.m. on the Riverwalk stage. Racing is Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday. Both days will run until about 4:30 p.m.
Admission: Tickets to the VIP party, which includes two drinks, appetizers and a boat racer meet-and-greet cost $75. Race day tickets cost $15 before the event for general admission ($20 at the gate) and $60 for Race Day VIP tickets, which include food, two complimentary drinks, live music, premium viewing locations for racing, and pit tours.
Information: www.stuartsailfishregatta.com
“We are expecting between 10,000 and 15,000 people to attend the event this year,” Nativi said. “The Marriott is sold out that weekend. Overall, the Regatta brings about a $2.2 million impact to this community.”
This year’s event will feature eight classes racing in heats on Saturday and finals on Sunday, including the Grand Prix class, which had 13 entries preregistered this year. The most Grand Prix boats — which are the fastest in the field — the Regatta has ever run is 10.
Stuart and the Treasure Coast is an water front paradise, located just 55 miles from the west end of the Bahamas. Known as the, “Sailfish Capital of the World,” by fishing enthusiasts, the Treasure Coast is world-renown for its laid back quality of life centered on beaches, boating, fishing and community.
Waterfront communities in the area, like Harbour Ridge, put an emphasis on that laid-back boater lifestyle and provide their residents with convenient boater amenities. Situated on the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, Harbour Ridge’s shoreline encompasses two miles of beautiful, pristine riverfront. Here, you’ll enjoy the best of both worlds with a secluded safe harbor for your vessel and with easy ocean access just minutes away.
Harbour Ridge is home to three private marinas with a combined 98 slips, ranging in size from 24 to 60 feet. For the non-boaters in the community, the estuary shoreline is also a haven for anglers, as the river is teeming with redfish, snook, tarpon and trout.
An abundance of shoreline and natural beauty keeps generations of families from around the globe calling Stuart home. Miles and miles of waterways invite exploration and adventure. Catch a glimpse of a Florida lobster or large snook swimming the reefs at Bathtub Beach. Share the shoreline with sea turtles and hatchlings, and watch the tarpon swimming along the beach just yards away.
Click here and learn more about Harbour Ridge.
There are so many things that separate Harbour Ridge from other clubs in the area. The luxurious club lifestyle on the tranquil water of the St. Lucie River combined with resort-style amenities, including the new Lakeside Spa, Fitness & Tennis Club, have made Harbour Ridge a must-see to believe club in South Florida. Residents are able to enjoy this active community and serene surroundings every day, and now, guests of the club can too.
Harbour Ridge’s “Be Our Guest” program is designed to provide you with a taste of the South Florida lifestyle showcase the Club to potential new homeowners. This is the ideal way for you to experience our warm and friendly community and many amenities prior to making any buying decision.
The Be Our Guest program includes:
• Two nights in a beautifully furnished condominium, including living room, two bedrooms, two baths, kitchen, laundry facilities, etc.
• Two rounds of golf for two – the River Ridge course, designed by Pete and P.B. Dye and the Golden Marsh course, designed by Joe Lee, offering championship golf for all playing levels.
• Unlimited tennis for two on our Har-Tru surfaced tennis courts, with four of them lighted for night play. All courts are nestled among a peaceful, tree-lined setting.
• Use of the Fitness Center – enjoy the pleasing view during your vigorous workout. If you wish, our outdoor, heated swimming pool would be the perfect place to retreat after your workout.
• Two lunches for two in our Grille Room where you will enjoy excellent cuisine and breathtaking views.
• A dinner for two that includes a glass of wine or cocktail to complement your dining experience.
• Enjoy the beauty of Harbour Ridge from the St. Lucie River with a tour on our pontoon boat.
One of expert the sales agents will be pleased to provide you with a tour of the available real estate properties. Harbour Ridge is an 885-acre community with 695 residences, offering an extraordinary selection of resale homes and condominiums in 28 uniquely different villages. These homes overlook two picturesque golf courses, acres of wooded, naturally landscaped vistas including scenic Audubon sanctioned nature preserves and spectacular river views.
Tucked away on two miles of waterfront along the North Fork of the St. Lucie River are 98 boat slips on our North, Center and South Docks that will accommodate boats ranging in size from 24 to 60 feet. This is a yachter’s or angler’s dream with deep water and ocean access!
More than just a tropical paradise, Harbour Ridge may be the closest you can come to living in a nature preserve. To learn more about our “Be Our Guest” program at Harbour Ridge, one of Florida’s most prestigious and private waterfront and golf communities, please contact our Membership & Marketing Department at 772.873.6013 or membership@hrycc.org.