On behalf of the Officers, Board of Directors, and members of Davis Island Yacht Club, I am thrilled to submit our proposal to host the 2026 A-Cat World Championship. We are excited about the opportunity to welcome the world’s top A-Cat sailors to our club, located in beautiful Tampa, Florida.
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DIYC is widely recognised as a premier sailing venue, with a longstanding tradition of hosting top-tier regattas. Our location offers easy access for international travelers, with Tampa International Airport just minutes away and Orlando’s international hub a short drive to the north. Tampa Bay provides an ideal racing environment, and November offers sailors outstanding conditions—typically featuring steady breezes ranging from 10-18 knots, warm temperatures in the mid-70s°F (24-26°C), and mild, predictable weather patterns. While occasional cold fronts may bring a brief wind shift, they tend to stabilise quickly, offering excellent foiling conditions and exciting racing.
Our club has ample space for boat storage and launching, utilizing both our facilities and adjacent city beach areas. The City of Tampa and the Tampa Sports Authority are fully supportive of our bid and are actively working with us to ensure smooth logistics for equipment storage and access. Following major renovations in 2024—including improvements to our pool, patio, fire pit areas, and landscaping—we are proud to provide a
welcoming and resilient venue that maintains our Green Marina status.
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Beyond the racing, we invite competitors and their families to make this regatta the gateway to an unforgettable Florida adventure. Tampa offers world-class attractions, including Busch Gardens, the Florida Aquarium, the Tampa Bay History Center, and the historic Latin Quarter of Ybor City. The stunning Gulf Coast beaches are just across the bay, and for those looking to extend their trip, Orlando’s theme parks, the Kennedy Space Center, and Florida’s Space Coast are just a few hours away. To celebrate the local culture, we have planned a Taste of Tampa dinner, showcasing the rich flavours and history of our city.
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Davis Island Yacht Club is known as the "Sailingest Club in the South," with a membership entirely composed of passionate sailors. Our unique “Do It Yourself” spirit is evident throughout our club, where members come together to maintain and improve our facilities, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie and pride. This same dedication and enthusiasm will be on full display as we host the A-Cat World Championship, ensuring an unforgettable experience both on and off the water.
We are honoured to welcome the A-Cat fleet to DIYC in 2026 and look forward to an exceptional championship event.
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Warm regards,
O.H. Rodgers
Regatta Coordinator
Davis Island Yacht Club
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We’re delighted to welcome you to Davis Island Yacht Club and the A-Cat World Championship. Our members and staff are proud to host the world’s top A-Cat sailors here in beautiful Tampa, Florida, and we hope you’ll feel right at home during your stay.
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We maintain a relaxed, sailor-friendly atmosphere—shirts and shoes are required, and wet bathing suits are not permitted inside the clubhouse. DIYC is a non-smoking club; however, smoking is permitted on the northwest corner of the upper porch.
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Please also be mindful that manatees occasionally visit our harbor. Support boat operators should stay alert and take care when maneuvering in the basin and surrounding waters.
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If you have any questions, our staff and volunteers are happy to help. We’re thrilled to have you here and look forward to an exceptional week of racing and camaraderie on and off the water.
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Warm regards,
Sandra Soto-Cintron
General Manager - Davis Island Yacht Club
Hyatt Place/Hyatt House
325 N. Florida Ave (4.3 miles from DIYC) (813) 616-1234
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Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Downtown Convention Center
513 S. Florida Ave (4.0 miles from DIYC) (813) 769-8300
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Tampa Marriott Water Street
700 S. Florida Ave (4.0 miles from DIYC) (813) 221-4900
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JW Marriott Tampa Water Street
505 Water Street (4.0 miles from DIYC) (813) 221-4950
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The Tampa EDITION
Water Street (4.2 miles from DIYC) (813) 221-4600
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The Westin Tampa Waterside, FL 33602
725 S. Harbour Island Blvd (4.2 miles from DIYC) (813) 229-5000
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Hilton Tampa Downtown
211 N. Tampa Street (4.0 miles from DIYC) (813) 204-3000
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ALOFT Tampa Downtown
100 W. Kennedy Blvd. (4.1 miles from DIYC) (813) 898-8000
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Hotel Tampa Riverwalk
200 N. Ashley Drive (4.0 miles from DIYC) (813) 223-2222
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Courtyard By Marriott Tampa Downtown
102 E. Cass Street (4.4 miles from DIYC) (813) 229-1100
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Le Méridien Tampa, The Courthouse
601 N. Florida Ave (4.5 miles from DIYC) (813) 221-9555
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Residence Inn Tampa Downtown
101 E. Tyler Street (4.3 miles from DIYC) (813) 221-4224
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The Floridan Palace Hotel
905 N. Florida Ave (4.6 miles from DIYC) (813) 225-1700
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The Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk
111 W. Fortune Street (4.7 miles from DIYC) (813) 223-1351
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Home2 Suites Channel District
1155 E. Kennedy Blvd. (4.8 miles from DIYC) (813) 525-9900
Getting Around
Air Arrival
The Tampa Bay area is served byTampa International Airport (TPA),Orlando International Airport (MCO), andSt. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE) for international flights. Tampa International Airport (TPA): Offers nonstop international flights to destinations in Europe, Canada, Central America, and the Caribbean. Notably, there are direct flights to London and Frankfurt.
Orlando International Airport (MCO): Approximately 90 minutes from Tampa, MCO provides a broader range of international flights, including multiple direct routes to major European cities such as Dublin, London, Paris, and Madrid. St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE): Primarily serves domestic and seasonal international flights, with some service to Canada.
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Car Arrival
Exit 1-275 at Ashley Street. Proceed south to Kennedy Boulevard and turn right. Proceed over the bridge to the first traffic light which is Hyde Park Avenue then turn left. Continue straight to the Davis Islands bridge which turns into Davis Boulevard and veer right at the fork onto West Davis Boulevard. Continue to the traffic circle. Yield and continue straight onto Severn Avenue. The Yacht Club is at the terminus of
Severn Ave.​
Vehicle Parking
During the regatta, vehicles must be parked outside the Club gates. Temporary access is permitted during launching prep (for bow numbers, decals, and mast setup) and during haul-out.
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Boat & Trailer Storage
The Club has worked with the City of Tampa to allow parking and launching from the public beach in addition to from our Club property. Assignments for launching will be given closer to the date of the event.
Trailer Storage
Trailer parking locations will be assigned prior to your arrival. Please follow volunteer directions when positioning trailers on site.
Launching
Competitors will have access to the three hoists on site.
Registration & Race Headquarters
Registration and race logistics will be located in the Regatta Room on the ground level facing the Bay.
Volunteers
Our volunteers will be available to assist both on and off the water—helping with parking, bow numbers, decals, launching, and general logistics.
Medical Facilities and Safety
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Tampa General Hospital
Tampa General Hospital is a private not-for-profit hospital and one of the most comprehensive medical facilities in West Central Florida serving a dozen counties with a population in excess of 4 million.
As one of the largest hospitals in Florida, TGH is only a 5-minute drive away from DIYC.
Consistently recognized for world-class care, Tampa General Hospital is ranked as the #1 hospital in Tampa Bay by U.S. News & World Report for 2024-25 and is nationally ranked as among the top 50 hospitals in the
nation in eight specialties. Additionally, Tampa General was ranked as “high performing,” or among the top 10% of hospitals in the nation, in five more specialties along with 12 procedures and conditions.
We take safety very seriously, and we will have safety personnel on the water and will be working with First
Responders throughout the event.
Tampa Fire Station 17 is located on Davis Island and is very close to the
water and DIYC. It has multiple forms of rescue vehicles including a rescue boat and marine trained staff.
