THE GREAT OPTIMIST RACE at Boatica
25 – 27 October 2024
In 2024, Little Optimist Boats will race for charity and glory at Boatica Cape Town in the V&A Waterfront. The format will be a time trial (any time between 10 AM and 5 PM on 25, 26, and 27 October), with the top 10 fastest sailors qualifying to compete in the Great Race on Sunday, 27 October at 12:30 PM.
- Optimist boats are sponsored and branded by a company or individual.
- Optimists race for fun and to raise money for The Little Optimist Trust and/or a charity of their choice.
- Each sailor makes a donation to charity for each time trial they participate in (minimum ZAR 50 / USD $3).
- Every entry is included in the lucky draw and is eligible for challenge prizes worth ZAR 50,000 (USD $3,000).
- Optimists will be sailed by survivors, captains of industry, celebrities, students, kids, dads, moms, adaptive sailors, development sailors, and the general public.
The Great Optimist Race is the crown jewel of Boatica and has been part of the program since 2018. To relive the magic of the first event in 2018, click here. The events have raised over ZAR 1 million (USD $57,5000) for charity, and over 200 marginalised children have been introduced to sailing through our development sailing program at the events. Some of our partner charities include NSRI, Shark Spotters, Newborns Trust, Two Oceans Aquarium, 9 Miles Project, Sentinel Ocean, CANSA, Groote Schuur Organ Donors, and more.
We will also host sailing therapy for 40 marginalised youth during the three days, as well as offer sailing experiences and lessons in collaboration with South African Sailing for the public.
The Great Optimist Race receives millions of rands in PR coverage each year. Highlights include television coverage on Espresso TV and ENCA TV, and our partnership with Cape Talk Radio to publicise the event. In addition, the event receives massive social media coverage, as well as publicity in newspapers, magazines, radio, and online.
2024 is going to be amazing!
To enter or to brand or sponsor a boat, please contact us at info@thelittleoptimist.org.