Hobie Announces 2019 Hobie 16 World Championships

July 30, 2019

The famed event returns to the U.S. for the first time in 35 years

OCEANSIDE, Calif. (July 30, 2019) – Hobie, the leading manufacturer of premium kayaks, sailboats and watersport products, is pleased to officially announce the Hobie 16 Worlds for 2019.

The top sailors from around the world will call Captiva Island, Fla. home when they compete in the event November 1-16, 2019.

The 2019 edition will mark the 22^nd running of Hobie 16 Worlds, which first took place in 1976 in Honolulu. Today it boasts a storied history of crowning champions across multiple disciplines at events throughout the world for decades running. This is the first time in 35 years that the International Hobie Class Association (IHCA) will bring its prestigious World Championship event back to the United States.

“We could not be more excited to be bringing this iconic event back to the U.S. this year, where the Hobie Worlds legacy first began, and where the Hobie 16 sailboat itself was created,” said Rick McVeigh, IHCA President. “Thanks to the generous support of The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel and Lee County, we are confident this year’s event will offer competitors the best Hobie Worlds experience yet. The competition has attracted top talent from across the globe, with one of the strongest fields ever assembled. The racing is going to be incredible.”

The Hobie 16 Worlds event brings together the best sailors from around the world to compete for the title of Hobie 16 World Champion. The event features three world championship divisions: Women’s, Youth and Open; and three additional disciplines: Masters Cup, Grand Masters Cup and Great Grand Masters Cup. There will be three rounds in the Open Worlds event, including a qualifier, semi-final and final. This year’s event is set to feature more than 400 athletes from over 20 countries and six continents.

“We are so excited to bring world-class sailing to our destination’s stunning Gulf waters,” said Tamara Pigott, executive director, Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau. “We look forward to welcoming the sailing community to our slice of paradise.”

All competitors will compete on Hobie 16’s, Hobie’s signature 16-foot catamaran sailboats. With its lightweight, asymmetrical fiberglass hulls and dual-trapeze rig, the Hobie 16 revolutionized multihull sailing when it was first released in Southern California back in 1970, and has continued to deliver world-class performance ever since, now occupying a coveted spot in the Sailboat Hall of Fame with claims to be the most popular sailboat in history. The Hobie 16 World Championships is the only sailboat class in the world to supply brand-new identical boats for all competitors to race. Hobie Cat Company provides the boats to ensure a level playing field for all.

The 22^nd Hobie 16 World Championship features a jam-packed schedule across the event’s 16-day duration, with plenty of opportunities for spectators to take in all the action from South Seas Island Resort’s Sunset Beach, enjoy the resort’s many amenities and explore beautiful Captiva Island.

“Captiva Island is a perfect location for the Hobie 16 World Championships and South Seas Island Resort is the perfect host,” said Doug Skidmore, CEO of Hobie Cat Company. “The water, white-sand beaches, weather, people and location offer some of the best sailing conditions I have seen. As a company, we are proud to be a major part of these world championships.”

Event sponsors include: The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, South Seas Islands Resort, Offshore Sailing School, Liros, Stilwell Enterprises & Restaurant Group, Hobie Polarized, Captiva Cruises, Sunny Island Adventures, Allied Portables, Wicked Dolphin, Doc Ford’s,

Cabbage Key, Nautical Ventures, The Islands of Sanibel & Captiva Chamber of Commerce and the Hobie Cat Company.

For a full event schedule and additional information, please visit the official Hobie Worlds website at www.hobieworlds.com.

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About Hobie

Since 1950, Hobie has been in the business of shaping a unique lifestyle based around fun, water and quality products. From their headquarters in Oceanside, California, Hobie Cat Company manufactures, distributes and markets an impressive collection of watercraft worldwide. These include an ever-expanding line of recreation and racing sailboats, pedal-driven and paddle sit-on-top recreation and fishing kayaks, inflatable kayaks and fishing boats, plus a complementary array of parts and accessories. To learn more, visit www.hobie.com

About The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel

The Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau represents The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, which also includes Captiva Island, downtown Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Cape Coral, Pine Island, Boca Grande and Outer islands, North Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres. Visit www.fortmyers-sanibel.com.

About South Seas Island Resort

South Seas Island Resort is located on 330 acres on tropical Captiva Island on the west coast of Florida, just off the beaches of Fort Myers. South Seas is an iconic resort village combining a natural wonderland with modern resort amenities and accommodations. Visit www.southseas.com.