In 2023 the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta presented The Next Generation Race during the 43 rd
edition of the St. Maarten Regatta. 18 selected youth sailors from the Sailing School of the Sint
Maarten Yacht Club raced against each other in the RS Zest, during the weekend of the Regatta.
This year the Sint Maarten Yacht Club Sailing School and the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta are
looking forward to growing the Next Generation Race, as part of the 2024 St. Maarten Heineken
Regatta.
The program will grow from 18 students to 24 students, racing on the RS Zest boats during the
weekend. This would include a mix of experienced Optimist sailors, the regular after school program
and the Primary School Program that allows youth to be introduced to sailing at no cost. 10 students
are specifically selected from the Optimist Race team and the Primary School Program, the other
spots are open to the other students of the sailing program.
The objective is to introduce the students to racing, more specifically keelboat racing and the St.
Maarten Heineken Regatta. It will give them an idea of the pathways ahead of them in their sailing
career. Of course, it also serves to highlight the local sailing program and its year-round efforts to
introduce local kids to the marine industry.
A great mix of St. Maarten’s sailing talent, showcasing Sint Maarten’s next generation in sailing,
where teamwork was the key to success!
“The goal is to inspire the next generation and involve them in the 44 th St. Maarten Regatta. It’s a
great way to get the youth involved in the regatta and teach them more about Keelboat Racing. It
will give them an idea of what Sailing and Racing has to offer them on a later age” said Racing Coach
Sam Peeks.
A training day and team presentation will be organized on January 13 th , from 9.30 till 11.30, before
the Prize giving of the St. Maarten Regatta Art Competition.
On Saturday March 2 nd the teams will race in the afternoon in Simpson Bay, based on a rotating
schedule where all teams will race against each other multiple times.
On Sunday March 3 rd the NEXT GEN Racers will gather at the Sint Maarten Yacht Club in the morning
to watch the bridge opening, a true spectacle for spectators. The Young Sailors will watch the start
of the Keelboats on Sunday Morning, and will race against each other again on Sunday afternoon.
Both Saturday and Sunday afternoon, the NEXT GEN Racers will be found in the racing village at Port
de Plaisance raising money for Youth Sailing, SMYC’s free Primary School Sailing program and the
growth of SMYC’s Sailability Program, a sailing program for individuals with a disability.
Prize giving on Sunday will be sublime highlight for all participating youth; receiving an award for
participation and possibly an award when they made it into the top 3, on an immense podium. A
dream come true for every sailor.
In addition, 2 teams of more experienced sailors, including the winner of last year’s Next Generation
Race, will be participating in the 4 days of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta on small keelboats, the
Sunfast 20s.
“Don’t we all remember starting sailing in an Optimist? Most of us had no idea at that age that there
is a whole regatta circuit in the world of racing keelboats. The SMYC is very proud that by running
this program we can inspire the next generation of sailors to keep sailing and to grow their love for
this sport, said Sam Peeks”.
More information about the event and registration can be found on https://smyc.com/next-
generation-race/
