TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Heineken Regatta back at PDP in 2019

Daily Herald story

To me, that's a shame, as it was nicer to have several different venues, and more people could become involved.

I do not at all see that being a positive for anyone other than PDP.

I would say it's EASIER for the Regatta organizers, but otherwise, I totally agree.

what they didn't mention is if they are going to charge for admittance again. Last year there was 2 prices depending how close to the stage you wanted to be and "what is included"

I didn't enter for this

Wendell

What were the crowds like last year?

Well, count me as one who sees it as a positive. We own at SBR for eight weeks, including Regatta week. I love the Regatta and patronize AquaMania's watchboats every year. But the noise on Saturday and Sunday nights from the giant speakers coming across Simpson Bay is not tolerable. On Sunday the party doesn't end until at least 3 am. I have a neighbor who has tried sleepiing in her bathtub to muffle the noise. So I say if PDP wants the parties for two straight nights, they can have it.

Yes, I'm sure you're right there. A lot of people who own timeshares there probably are happy to not have the noise.

Crowds weren't very big. Walked right in most restaurants, walked right on the dingy to get to PDP for the activities. Course I called it a night around 10:30 and the party doesn't get started till later.

Wendell

Wendell--not surprising this year, as far as the crowds, or lack thereof.

As a long time racer, it only makes sense to have a regatta at one marina. I guess the SXM regatta is different because more people are there for the party than the races.

Captains' meetings, repair facilities etc. are all in one spot, with the boats. It's fairly normal for a regatta.

Most regattas however, don't attract the whole island for a party.

We are going to be on island in March. What is the date of the regatta?

Right -- the Heineken Regatta is a SPECTATOR regatta, particularly the parties, which HAD been huge in years past, not so much in the more recent times.

greg--Regatta next year is Feb 28 to March 3.

Selfishly I'm thrilled the events are being held at PDP. When the parties were in Simpson Bay, you couldn't drive or get a place to park in that area.

No matter where it's held it causes traffic. Last year upon arrival we attempted to drive the causeway to head toward Marigot. Traffic was so bad, a dead stop because people couldn't get out to turn left or right due to backup at PDP. Many cars, including us, inched our way until we got to a break in the divided road to make U-turns and head toward the lowlands.