Hotel Melby to Host Sailors and Staff for Sixth Annual Regatta

Hotel Melby, a stylish, 180-key Hilton branded, Tapestry Collection hotel in Downtown Melbourne on Florida’s Space Coast, announced an exclusive partnership with organizers of the 6th Annual Bluster Regatta being held for the first time in Melbourne, Florida, from January 14 – 16, 2022.

Hosted by Hobie Division 8 and Red Gear Racing, regatta organizers partnered with the city of Melbourne and management at Hotel Melby to relocate the event from Tampa where the former host hotel is undergoing renovation and could not host the upcoming event.

“Relocating to Melbourne and partnering with Hotel Melby was an easy decision. We are thrilled to offer such a premiere hotel to the sailors, their families, and friends with attendees coming from as far as Canada. The proximity to the regatta launch is ideal. The sailors can enjoy flat, protected water that the intracoastal’s Indian River Lagoon has to offer during the day, and later enjoy the nightlife in historic Downtown Melbourne that is walking distance from the hotel. We’re especially looking forward to enjoying the views and food from The Landing Rooftop,” said Mark Herendeen, Regatta Organizer.

Regatta organizers assisted with a previous successful regatta in Merritt Island and sought to implement that success closer to downtown which was a driving factor in selecting Melbourne as the upcoming host city. “We are excited to bring the regatta to Ballard Park for the 2022 race with the intent of moving to Riverview Park as part of the Downtown Melbourne revitalization for the 2023 regatta, where we hope it will remain for years to come as the Harbor City River Regatta,” said Herendeen.

“We are thrilled to be the host hotel for “Bluster” racers and staff and are excited about this growing annual event relocating to Melbourne. It’s truly exciting to see Melbourne being selected as destinations for these types of events, as it further solidifies the opportunity that our city offers to businesses, tourists and event organizers,” said Burak Sezgin, Hotel Melby General Manager.

Bluster Regatta will host over 40 boats, 60 to 100 racers and friends, and marks the start of racing for several catamaran classes this season including Hobie Division 8, and North American A-Cats. The regatta is open to various multihull classes including A Cat Classic, A Cat foiling, Hobie 16, Weta, Hobie Wave, Falcon16, Falcon18, Taipan, and Hobie 17. The Hobie points regatta kicks off the first of the four Hobie Division 8 Winter Series Regattas at the end of which, one champion will be crowned.

Spectators are welcome to attend at Ballard Park to watch from land or launch a kayak, paddleboard, or powerboat at the ramps located in the park, where they should remain outside the racecourse at all times.

Regatta organizers and Hotel Melby management will be hosting a press conference at Hotel Melby, 801 E Strawbridge Ave in Melbourne, on Thursday, January 13 at 1:00PM. For more information about the Bluster Regatta, please contact Mark Herendeen, 321-863-4426, or Lisa Herendeen, 321-863-4424.