In the water area of the Port of Riga – in the River Daugava by the Vanšu bridge, the RIGA SEASON OPENING REGATTA 2024 will take place. It is being held for the third year in a row, continuing a well-established tradition of gathering sailing fans after a long winter to resume seasonal water sports activities in a joint festive competition. The regatta is organized by the Riga Sailing Center, and sailors from all yacht clubs in Riga and Latvia are invited to take part in it.

“Interest in the sport of sailing is increasing every year – among children, young people and adults alike. There are more yachts, and everyone who is ready to pursue his or her dream of sailing, perhaps even with their own yacht, is welcome. Riga is a great place for this,” said Kristīne Štāla – Bula, a member of the Board of the Riga Sailing Center, recalling that the River Daugava flows through Riga, there is also Ķīšezers and the Gulf of Riga at arm’s length. “More waterborne activities can be observed on the River Daugava, with various floating craft moving along the city’s shores. This contributes to the development of the coastal zone and provides an opportunity for our city to become more attractive to tourists who prefer to arrive by yacht”, added K.Štala – Bula.

This year’s sailing season promises to be rich in events throughout Latvia, several of them will take place at the Riga Sailing Center, Ķīpsala, 15 Matrožu street. Throughout the season, the yacht club will host sailing training regattas designed to give sailing enthusiasts the opportunity to train, improve their athletic performance and prepare for the big regattas. Sailing training regattas will take place twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) throughout the season, in the River Daugava water area near the Vanšu bridge. In the framework of their competition format the distance will be determined, there will be a judge and a competition will be held between the participants. At the end of each training session, the results are summarized, and at the end of the season, the overall results are reviewed. In August, during the Riga City Festival on August 17 and 18, the RIGA SAILING CUP 2024 will traditionally take place, but at the end of the season – on September 28 – THE RIGA SEASON CLOSING REGATTA 2024.

Riga Sailing Center was founded in 2016 and is one of the fastest growing yacht clubs in Latvia. It was created by the Latvian Sailing Team. The main founder and developer of the center is Andrejs Buls, who established it with the aim of creating a multifunctional sailing sports center in the heart of Riga to popularize and develop sailing as a sport within the city. In 2018, the yacht club hosted a world-wide competition in the class of PLATU25 sports yachts, and in 2028 it is planned to organize the ORC WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP there.

The opening regatta of the season takes place in cooperation with the Freeport of Riga.