Entry Discounts, Charter Opportunities, and Extra Racing in the Round the Rocks Tune-Up Race on April 2
Volunteer! Ocean Surfari Sponsors STIR Volunteer Shirts for the 5th Year
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands — Race, charter, or volunteer! There are plenty of ways to get a front-row seat at the 52nd St. Thomas International Regatta (STIR), taking place April 3–5, 2026—one of the Caribbean’s premier regattas.
Sailors of all levels are invited to compete under CSA, ORC, IRC, and Multihull handicaps in classes spanning Racing, Cruising, CSA Bareboat, and One Design fleets. These include IC24s, Diam 24s, Hobie Waves, and Sunfish, plus additional One Design classes 19 feet and over.
Entry fees are $340, with reduced rates of $240 for IC24s, $150 for Hobie Waves, and $75 for Sunfish. Enter now at www.yachtscoring.com/emenu/50483
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Boats arriving from the BVI Spring Regatta receive a 10% discount on STIR entry at registration—making it easy to extend your Caribbean racing circuit.
Charter Opportunities
Looking to charter? Join one of the region’s most competitive IC24 fleets and compete for podium honors, including the 2nd Caribbean IC24 Championships, held within STIR. Only a limited number of boats remain.
Charter rates (including race-ready sails):
$3,400 for STYC members
$3,700 for non-members
Reserve through the St. Thomas Sailing Center by contacting Bobby Brooks at (340) 690-3681 or info@stthomassailingcenter.com
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Tune-Up Race: Round the Rocks (April 2)
Arrive early and fine-tune your performance at the Round the Rocks Regatta on April 2. IRC, CSA, Multihull, and One Design classes will race around the neighboring 19-square-mile island of St. John. Enter at yachtscoring.com/emenu/50495.
Volunteer Opportunities
Not racing? Get involved on shore or on the water. Volunteers are needed for race committee duties, mark boats, and shoreside support at the St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC).
All volunteers receive a complimentary STIR Performance Shirt—sponsored by Ocean Surfari—featuring moisture-wicking, quick-dry fabric and SPF 50 sun protection.
A World-Class Racing Experience
“As we like to say, ‘We Love It Here’—and we invite you to enter STIR now and race with us,” says co-director Pat Bailey, alongside Greer Scholes.
“STIR delivers professionally set, highly competitive racing—from challenging island courses to tight, tactical buoy racing—offering some of the best handicap and one-design competition in the Caribbean. Pair that with cold drinks, live music, and a toes-in-the-sand atmosphere at the St. Thomas Yacht Club, and you have the perfect blend of world-class racing and authentic Caribbean vibes.”
Teams Ready to Compete
Sailors from across the U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Antigua, multiple U.S. states, Canada, Great Britain, and Ireland are already registered.
“The STIR has been a staple of the Privateer program from the beginning,” says Tim Dawson, tactician aboard the Cookson 50 Privateer. “We always look forward to the race courses—the mix of open water and ‘rock hopping’—and the welcoming atmosphere at the yacht club.”
Privateer will compete alongside Apollo, Donald Nicholson’s J/121, returning after a full refit following last year’s starting-line incident.
“Our goals are simple: have fun in an incredible venue, see what the ‘new’ Apollo can do, and, of course, aim for the podium,” says Nicholson.
Puerto Rico’s Enrique Figueroa returns aboard his Melges 24, Exodus:
“Since 1994, STIR has delivered fun racing, great people, and an unbeatable atmosphere.”
The IC24 One Design class is once again one of the largest, featuring strong entries including Team Island Water World.
“The one-design racing is the highlight—it’s tight, competitive, and exciting,” says Frits Bus. “Plus, reconnecting with friends and the hospitality at STYC makes it special every year.”
Strong Sponsor Support
Ocean Surfari returns for its fifth year sponsoring STIR’s volunteer shirts. The brand, known for high-performance beachwear and ocean lifestyle gear, operates four locations in the USVI and one in Florida.
“Our gear is tested year-round by captains and crews,” says Marc Blackburn. “We’re proud to support STIR and the St. Thomas Yacht Club, which shares a deep passion for sailing.”
STIR also thanks the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, The Moorings, K3, Cardow Jewelers, and beverage sponsors including Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Gosling’s Rum, Mount Gay Rum, Michelob Ultra, Teremana Tequila, and Surfside.
Sustainability & Contact Info
STIR 2026 is a Sailors for the Sea Clean Regatta, incorporating environmentally responsible initiatives.
For more information:
Pat Bailey (Co-Director)
+1 (340) 690-6607
simpleislandboy51@gmail.com
www.stthomasinternationalregatta.com
Follow along on Facebook and Instagram https://instagram.com/@STIRVI
Media contact:
Media contact:
Carol Bareuther
Tel: (340) 998-3650
Email: bareuther@earthlink.net
Skype: Carol.Bareuther
