On May 15, over 50 participants will travel to Cuba aboard their personal vessels and charter boats to participate in a series of events designed to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Marina Hemingway International Yacht Club and mark Waterway Guide’s 70th Anniversary.
Waterway Guide is hosting the rally that departs from Key West, Florida (May 15 – 22, 2017), to mark the recent release of the consumate guide for boaters to Cuba.
This trip highlights the relevance of international adventure, yachting, exploration, friendship, and conservation.
Regattas, parades of sail and receptions are scheduled during the event. Dignitaries from Cuba, the U.S., and boaters from around the world will convene at Marina Hemingway to participate in the 25th anniversary gala.
“We are excited to be a part of this cultural and people-to-people exchange with Cuba’s premier yacht club,” says Waterway Guide’s Publisher, Jeff Jones. “We look forward to celebrating with Commodore Jose Escrich and marking our 70 years of commitment to excellence in publishing for the yachting, travel and tourism industries.”
The boats in the Waterway Guide rally will arrive at Havana approximately 15 hours after departing from Key West and tie up at Marina Hemingway where they will participate in a series of extraordinary events.
Commodore José Miguel Díaz Escrich adds, “Despite the obstacles and difficulties encountered in reaching its first quarter of a century, the Hemingway International Yacht Club of Cuba has become a bastion in the defense and recognition of the history, nautical traditions and love for the sea among members of the international nautical community and recreational boating.”
Schedule of Events
MAY 19th: Sailing Day
XXV Anniversary Regatta of the International Yacht Club of Cuba
About 100 boats are expected to compete in Spinnaker, Non-spinnaker, and Multihull classes. Regattas will also be held in these classes:
- Optimist Regatta
- Laser Regatta
- Hobie Cat 16 regatta
- RS: X Windsurfing Regatta
- Bic Techno Windsurfing Regatta
- Snipe Race
- Cadet Regatta
- Hobie Cat 15 regatta
- Kite Surfing Regatta
These activities will bring together more than 200 sails along the 3 miles of the Havana Malecon offering a nautical show never seen before in Havana.
MAY 20th: Nautical Parade
Approximately 100 boats, led by several schooners, will greet the fortress of Morro Castle of Havana with cannon salutes that will be answered from the ground. Speed boats will perform demonstrations in front of the Havana Malecon along with exhibitions of jet skis and water skis.
MAY 21st: 25th Anniversary Celebration
A reception will be held to commemorate the founding of Hemingway International Yacht Club of Cuba and present awards to participants in the Sail Day and Nautical Parade.
Nearly 1,000 people will participate representing international nautical interests including the Cuban maritime and nautical community, executives of Cuban governmental institutions, diplomatic corps accredited in Cuba and members of Hemingway International Yacht Club of Cuba. Over 70 countries will be represented.
Harmony Yacht vacations is the sponsor and organizer of the Waterway Guide rally. The company is noted for managing and organizing large boating rallies to Cuba.
For 70 years Waterway Guide Media has been the cruising authority that publishes the popular series of cruising guides to the Bahamas, Eastern United States, Great Lakes, Gulf Coast, and Mississippi River. Cuba is its latest and highly acclaimed book. The company also produces web and mobile apps, a nationally distributed magazine and partners with navigation developers and nautical interests worldwide.
Here is an interactive view of Marina Hemingway on Waterway Guide’s Waterway Guide Explorer.
