Tune Up in the Tropics! Mid-Winter Clinic & Regatta in Paradise Set for January 22-26, 2025

Participants sail IC-24s in the 2024 Mid-Winter Clinic & Regatta in Paradise! © Dean Barnes

Fly to the tropics in January and tune up for the summer sailing season. That's the winning opportunity at the Mid-Winter Clinic & Regatta in Paradise, hosted by the St. Thomas Sailing Center (STSC), at the St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC), St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Clinic's comprehensive learning experience focuses on developing competitive speed on all points of sail. Coaches, one on each boat for personalized instruction, will employ a mix of classroom instruction with video analysis, debriefs and short lectures, combined with on-the-water drills, and short-distance practice races. The Clinic wraps up with participants testing their new skills on two regatta days, one for buoy and short-distance racing and the second for a time-honored regatta in paradise. The STSC uses its one-design fleet of IC-24s, a modified J-24 with a large, open cockpit, mainsail, jib, and symmetrical spinnaker, which is fun and comfortable to sail.

Participants at the 2024 Mid-Winter Clinic & Regatta gather on the deck at the St. Thomas Yacht Club - photo © Dean Barnes

Register Now!

Sailors individually as well as together as teams of four can register for the Mid-Winter Clinic & Regatta in Paradise by calling Cell/WhatsApp (340) 690-3681 or visiting stthomassailingcenter.com/sailing-clinics/mid-winter-clinic-regatta. Skippers needing crew and individuals interested in crewing can contact STSC for help assembling teams. Participation is limited to 10 teams or 40 participants on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Individual Registration fee is $1800, and Team Registration is $6700. Upon registration, the STSC will send a suggested packing list and program outline.

This clinic fee includes a 30-day Bluewater Membership to STYC, where participants and their guests can enjoy club amenities such as the bar and restaurant, tennis, squash, pickleball courts, and the beach.

Clinic participants should plan their arrival for Wednesday, January 22, 2025. The Welcome Party, where the boat draw and coach assignments happen, is set for 5-7 p.m. The Clinic concludes on Sunday evening, January 26, 2025.

Traveling to St. Thomas is easy! Airlines fly direct from major U.S. cities: American Airlines (Charlotte, Dallas, Miami, New York, Philadelphia), Delta (Atlanta, New York), Frontier (San Juan), JetBlue (Boston, San Juan), Spirit (Fort Lauderdale, Orlando) and United (Houston, Newark, Washington-Dulles). U.S. citizens don't need a passport to enter the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Accommodations on St. Thomas include resorts, villas, condominiums, VRBO rentals, HomeAway, and Airbnb's. The nearest options within walking distance of the Club are vacation condo rentals on Cowpet Bay at The Anchorage, The Elysian, Cowpet Bay West, or Cowpet Bay East. The STSC maintains a list of our favorite condo and villa rentals, some of which you can book directly with owners to avoid extra fees. For a copy, email

For more information on the STSC and its programs, visit stthomassailingcenter.com, email , or call Cell/WhatsApp (340) 690-3681. For travel information to the U.S. Virgin Islands, visit www.visitusvi.com