Returning to where it all began

The International Hobie Class Association is bringing the 2019 Hobie 16 World Championship to the USA. After 35 years of events being held in other beautiful locations worldwide, the 22nd edition will be November 1-16 in Captiva Island, Florida.

Finally, back to the country where ‘Have a Hobie Day’ all began. The Hobie 16, unleashed on the Southern California beach scene in 1970, instantly transformed sailing. Cue up the Beach Boys!

The first Hobie 16 Worlds were held in Hawaii in 1976, and since the 1984 edition in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, the biennial (sort of) kumbaya has travelled to such destinations as Fiji, South Africa, Australia, China, and Spain.

Sailors from around the world will be competing in three world championship disciplines: Women’s, Youth and Open and three additional disciplines: Masters Cup, Grand Masters Cup and Great Grand Masters Cup.

The Hobie 16 World Championships is the only one design class in the world to supply brand-new identical boats, for all competitors to race. This ensures that the world champions are the best sailors, not just the sailors with the most expensive equipment.

Doug Skidmore, CEO of Hobie Cat Company, whose team supply and maintain all the boats to ensure the fairest competition for the sailors, is looking forward to bringing the championship back to the U.S. – especially Southwest Florida.

“The water, white sandy beaches, weather, people and location offer some of the best sailing conditions I have seen,” said Skidmore. “As a company, we are proud to be a major part of these world championships.”

For information: www.hobieworlds.com