Optimists Sailing Into Clearwater

Clearwater boat builder Clark Mills designed the first optimist dinghy sailboat as an equivalent to a soapbox derby car for children in 1947. 

Now, "optis" are built on five different continents and raced by children 8 to 15 in more than 100 countries.

And the second annual Team FOR (Florida Oceanic Racing) Invitational Regatta for Optimist sailors is coming March 3-4 to the Clearwater Community Sailing Center.

The young sailors from across the state and from other countries are “team trials qualified,” a designation which indicates they are among the top tier of optimist dinghy sailors.

Residents can expect to see dozens of children, in their bathtub-sized sailboats, trimming their sail as they race along the course during both days of the regatta.

The course is set up on the Gulf of Mexico along Clearwater Beach. The marks are set by buoys, motorboats or larger sailing vessels carrying race officials. 

A pre-regatta clinic, run by United States Optimist Dinghy Association coach Peter Strong, is Feb. 28-March 2.