OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WLOX) — Driving over the Biloxi Bay Bridge this week? Chances are you’ll see dozens of small sailboats taking part in the Hobie 16 International Championship.
“It’s just like a big family reunion,” said Shelia Holmes, a participant in the event. “That’s why we call it the Hobie way of life.”
The “Hobie way of life” has taken Holmes and Mark Ralph from their home in Texas to places all over for more than 40 years.
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“We know people from all over the world, and we all have a common interest,” said Ralph. “We all love sailing and competing against each other.”
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This week, some of the best catamaran sailors on the planet are spending the week in Ocean Springs — a place Hobie enthusiasts call a must-stop.
“We discovered Ocean Springs about 20 years ago,” said Holmes. “It’s the people, the venue, the members of the yacht club are friendly. When we come here, it’s such a popular destination for all of the sailors across the country.”
Mark Santorelli is the event’s principal race officer. He found Ocean Springs through the Hobie way of life and loved it so much that he made it his home last year.
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“That’s part of the Hobie way of life,” said Santorelli. “We travel all around to do these events, whether to sail in them or to run them, and we get to see all these different flavors of life and culture. It’s pretty cool.”
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The water and sailing conditions make this a perfect spot for the Hobie races.
“There are a few premium locations around the United States, and this is one of them,” said Mike Montague, another participant.
Montague is on a two-month cross-country sailing trip from California, racing in seven regattas along the way. This one might be his favorite.
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“Here, it makes it easier for anyone from a novice to an expert to sail because we don’t have big waves to deal with, or big winds. The water is fairly flat, fairly consistent and it’s warm.”
Teams of two work the small sailing vessels. Montague and Kathy Ward navigate the wind to create lasting memories.
“We’ve been sailing together for a while, so it’s second nature, and we do really well together,” said Ward. “It’s like dancing. You know each other’s movements and read each other’s minds a lot. It makes it fun.”
Win or lose, the sailors say the feeling on the water is the real prize.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Holmes. “You just can’t believe it when the wind gets in the boat, it starts lying ahull, and you’re going through the water. There’s no motor. There’s no sound. It’s just speed.”
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“It’s exciting and the greatest feeling in the world,” said Ward. “I’ve been doing it for a long time, and I hope to continue doing it for a very long time.”
The Hobie 16 International Championship wraps up with a closing event on Friday at the Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum.
For more information, visit hobie16internationalchampionship.com.
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