The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta

The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta is organized by the Sint Maarten Yacht Club Regatta Foundation in cooperation with Heineken as Title Sponsor.

The 47th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta takes place: MAR 4 – MAR 7, 2027!

The Event

In 1980, the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta started as the St. Maarten Regatta with a modest 12 sail boats participating. Three years later, in 1983, Heineken became a major sponsor of the St. Maarten Regatta and ‘Heineken’ was added to the name of the event. Heineken participated with a fee of 3,750 guilders (approximately $ 2,100). As a bonus, the competitors received ice cold Heineken beers from a passing powerboat while they were racing.

After the involvement of Heineken, the event grew fast. With the addition of a third day in 1990, the event grew to 187 boats in 1995 and 251 boats in 1999. Another racing day, the Commodore’s Cup, was added in 2005. The record amount of boats participating in the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta was in 2008 with 284 boats.

Future Dates

The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta always takes place the first weekend of March. These are the dates for the next few years:

2027: March 4th – March 7th
2028: March 2nd – March 5th
2029: March 1st – March 4th
2030: March 7th – March 10th
2031: March 6th – March 9th
2032: March 4th – March 7th

Ensure you’ve blocked them in your agenda!

REGATTA OFFICE

Cary Byerley – Steering Committee Chairman

Krispijn Teunissen – Regatta Director

Maike van ‘t Laar – Regatta Assistant

Jalt Willems – Intern

RACE COMMITTEE

Cary Byerley – Chair

David Sprague – Race Director

Mark Townsend – PRO

ONSHORE MANAGEMENT

TBA – Event Coordinator

MEDIA

Marketing Committee Chair – Meg Reilly

Videography – Volair Media

Photography – Laurens Morel

SINT MAARTEN YACHT CLUB

The Sint Maarten Yacht Club is the organizing entity of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta. It is located on one of the best spots on the island, right next to the Simpson Bay Bridge. Here, one can enjoy a great view on all boats entering and leaving the lagoon. Especially during the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, when more than 100 sail boats go through this bridge!

The Sint Maarten Yacht Club is a great meeting place for its members who can enjoy the many activities and regattas that are organized throughout the year. The Sint Maarten Yacht Club also has a Sailing School, which provides sailing lessons to both adults and youth. This gives everyone the opportunity to learn how to sail in some of the world’s best sailing conditions with great winds and beautiful waters.

Are you interested in the events the Sint Maarten Yacht Club organizes? Or would you like to become a member? Please have a look at the Yacht Club’s website.

SO, WHAT EXACTLY DOES THE SINT MAARTEN YACHT CLUB DO?

  • Promote sailing to its members and the local community
  • Organize races and regattas for its members and non-members
  • Assist in providing accommodations and equipment
  • Provide instruction and training for sailing and racing
  • Represent water sports towards others organizations, both on and off island