Boat rentals in Florida

What is the Miami Columbus Day Regatta

 

In 1952 the Italian Consul in Miami organized the Citizens Committee, Inter American Observance, to erect a statue honoring Columbus in Miami's Bay front Park. The City of Miami contributed the site.

 

Count Vittorio de Colbertaldo of Rome was commissioned to create the 27 foot bronze of Christopher Columbus; it was unveiled on October 12, 1952 in Bayfront Park.

 

The next year the committee, under the leadership of Timothy J. Sullivan voted to support a sailing regatta as part of the yearly program. The Columbus Day Regatta was born.

 

On October 9, 1954, the first Columbus Day Regatta started with 24 boats. In 1978, a record 550 boats competed in what has become one of Biscayne Bay's highlight events of the year. In 2007, the Columbus Day Regatta, getting ready to honor the 515th anniversary of that small boat cruises in 1492 (from Europe to the New World).

 

Part of the tradition of the Columbus Day Weekend in Biscayne National Park has been the Columbus Day Regatta, a sailboat race that has been held in Biscayne Bay for 51 years. The race is a spectacular sight and visitors are invited to head out for a view.

 

 

More than 850 sailors from all over the world have descended on the area for the Miami Regatta.

 

Started in 1990 by U.S. Sailing, the Rolex Miami OCR yearly draws best sailors Olympic and Paralympic medalists and hopefuls from around the world. The regatta is especially important as a ranking regatta for sailors hoping to qualify for the U.S. Sailing Team and the U.S. Disabled Sailing Team, which annually distinguish the top three sailors in each Olympic or Paralympic class.

 

The crews will set up base at many marinas across the county, generally in the Grove area, including the U.S. Sailing Center, Coral Reef Yacht Club, Key Biscayne Yacht Club, Coconut Grove Sailing Club, Shake-a-Leg and the Crandon Park Marina.

 

The unofficial motto is "What race?” 

 

The Columbus Day Regatta weekend is a weekend like none other in Biscayne Bay or in South Florida or in the continental United States. Many professional partygoers have stated that this event makes the "Marti Gras" in New Orleans look tame. This is supposed to be about a Regatta.  A very respectable sport with a grand and diverse tradition.  Sailboats line the horizon of Biscayne National Park by the thousands.  The leeward side of Elliott Key with its miles of crystal clear water over miles of virgin seagrass is a virtual parking lot filled with every type of boat imaginable. Elliott Key is located 15 - 18 miles south of Key Biscayne, and just south of Soldier Key, the Ragged Keys, Boca Chita,Sands Key, and Sands Cut and in that order.(map)  If it  floats and you can get people on it, chances are that you will see it here during this event.  

 The occupants of the vessel may or may not be clothed.  That may or may not be fun to see.  But that is the reality of  the Columbus Day Regatta "Finishing Line" party area.  People come from all over the world for a very large series of parties and the boat race that lasts at least three days every year, weather permitting.    A hedonistic celebration perhaps most accurately describes the none stop music, dancing, drinking in excess, and clothing optional atmosphere that continues on for miles and for days (and at nights too). Water guns, inflatable toys of every category imaginable, flags that have never been seen before, and a general over all attitude of "anything goes" contributes to the sense that "we are not in Kansas anymore". 

 If you would just like to navigate your boat in and through the miles of swimmers, floaters, rafts of large boats, inner-tubes, canoes, kayaks, flying beads, and girls who do happen to be wearing a top, flash you, you can expect to get soaking wet.  Tradition dictates that everyone should have, fully loaded, water-soaking water guns of the largest size available, along with a selection of water balloons.  Guys and girls who look like they are just floating around under the surface who give you a nice smile are about to completely soak you with a six foot watergun.  Be prepared to get wet, or to retaliate. It is all done in good fun.  Loud dancing music, salsa, rock music fills the air along the smell of high octane fuel, high octane adult beverages, beer,  and suntan lotion.  The party does not stop.  The sky is full of sunburn quality sun, kites, phallic inflatables, and flying bead necklaces into the hands of topless bathers of every persuasion.  All a 30 minute boat ride from Key Biscayne.

The unofficial motto  is "What race?".  This is certainly the place where the bizarre is the norm, the unusual to be expected, skin that has never seen the light of day (and in many cases it would be a service to society if it never did see the light of day) to get burned into that shade of color located between bubble gum and lobster red shade.  It can be painful to just look at, realizing that this intoxicated bearer who is still laying in the sun laughing it up will only fully realize the luxuries that so many of us take for granted.  Like being able to sit down, or to be able to sleep without the sheets hurting.   If that is your idea of a good time you should mark your calendar.  It should probably go without saying that this party part of the Columbus Day Regatta festivities is not a typical family affair and it would not be recommended that children attend certain portions of the finish line party.  The Columbus Day Regatta race is something totally different and should not be confused with the excessive celebration of the event. For information on race and registration details go here. 

 In fact knowingly exposing minors to some of the more risque activities could have legal implications.   For many of us locals, we stay at a safe distance with junior.  Many families do attend so don't get the idea that this event is 7 square miles of debauchery.  6.75 square miles is a safer guess.  Families raft together where all can enjoy the masses of boats, people, and diverse lifestyles from a safe (outside of binocular range) distance. Many families that do not want to participate in the shenanigans of the wilder side and will secure their boats together in a quieter location and have just as much fun only without the hangover and sunburn on private parts.  This can be a fun time to be had by all, but it would be advisable to keep the children below decks if passage through "party central" is unavoidable until suitable anchorage is found. Closer to shore on the leeward side of Elliott Key, Sands Key, or Boca Chita are all "family friendly" where you can be close enough to see all of the boats sailing yet far enough away to fully enjoy the event.

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