International Regatta setting sail this weekend.

      If you are planning on a nice beach vacation this weekend, you may want to think again when you hear there's a regatta coming. The beach will be extra packed with sailors for its 505 MidWinter Championship 2011 Regatta from Pass-a-Grille beach. Sailors will be setting sail Friday through Sunday, pretty much all weekend long. This year is different since Americans have learned to launch their high-performance, lightweight boats directly from a dolly on the beach into the Gulf of Mexico.
      Ethan Bixby and and Lin Robinson of North Sails in St.Petersburg have been organizing, promoting, and hosting these regattas since 1995. There are 12 boats in each International class, the 505, and the Contender. This is all pretty exciting since I'm a rower and that is similar to sailing in some ways. Sailing is also an exciting sport and you must love the water to be interested in it. It would be a great way to spend your weekend if you love sailing and the beach cheering on those sailors.