River Romp Regatta

Edison's signature annual sailing competition

Each year, Edison Sailing Center is proud to host River Romp, a US Sailing Junior Olympic Regatta that brings together young sailors from across the region for an unforgettable weekend of competition, camaraderie, and river sailing. Set on the Caloosahatchee River, River Romp challenges sailors to test their skills in a dynamic racing environment while fostering sportsmanship, teamwork, and growth. As an official Junior Olympic regatta, the event provides sailors with the opportunity to compete at a high level, gain valuable racing experience, and connect with the broader US Sailing community. Hosting River Romp reflects Edison Sailing Center's commitment to youth development, excellence on the water, and creating meaningful opportunities for young sailors to learn, compete, and thrive. It's a highlight of our season—and a tradition we're proud to continue year after year.

Regatta Updates

New this year: We are proud to introduce the Junior Female Trophy for the ILCA fleet, presented in memory of Lana Carlin (Alexander). This award will be presented for the first time this year.

We will also continue to award the Opti Overall Champion perpetual trophy.

What Makes River Romp Special

Competition

Elite youth sailors compete at their highest level for awards and bragging rights.

Community

Sailors, families, and volunteers come together to celebrate sailing.

Excellence

Junior Olympic designation recognizes our commitment to sailing development.

Event Details

Location

North Shore Park, 13001 N. Cleveland Avenue (US 41), North Fort Myers. Racing takes place on designated areas of the Caloosahatchee River near and south of the park.

Participants

Youth sailors ages 8–19 at the time of competition. Sailors over 18 must still be in high school. Optimist sailors are eligible through December 31 of the year they turn 15.

Classes

C420 (with spinnaker), C420 (without spinnaker), ILCA 4, ILCA 6, and Optimist. A minimum of six registered entries is required for a class to be scored. Green Fleet is reserved for sailors with two years or less of experience.

Schedule

Annual event — held on the third weekend in October each year. The 2026 River Romp takes place October 17–18.

Notice of Race

The Notice of Race (NoR) is the official document governing River Romp 2026. It covers eligibility, entry limits, fees and deadlines, the racing schedule, safety requirements, scoring, and prizes. Every competitor, parent, and coach should read it before the event.

The summary below highlights the essentials — the PDF is the governing document. The NoR, Sailing Instructions, and any amendments are also posted on the official electronic bulletin board on Regatta Network.

Read the Notice of Race (PDF)Official Bulletin Board

Key Deadlines

• October 3, 2026 — last day for early entry fees ($125 single-handed / $200 double-handed). After midnight ET, fees are $155 single-handed / $250 double-handed, and a t-shirt is not guaranteed.
• Noon ET, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 — all fees due and final deadline for registration. No registrations are accepted after this time, and coaches must be registered by this deadline as well.
• 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 — pre-regatta Zoom meeting for competitors, coaches, parents, race committee, and volunteers (Meeting ID 806 406 0603, no password required). Anyone new to River Romp is encouraged to attend.
• 5:00 PM (1700), Friday, October 16, 2026 — deadline for sail number changes on the entry form.

Eligibility & Entry Limits

• Open to C420 (with spinnaker), C420 (without spinnaker), ILCA 4, ILCA 6, and Optimist classes.
• Youth ages 8–19 at the time of competition; sailors over 18 must still be in high school. Optimist sailors may compete through December 31 of the year they turn 15.
• Individual or family US Sailing membership is required of all competitors and may be purchased in advance at ussailing.org.
• Entries are capped at 225 boats: 50 in Green Fleet (Race Area A), 100 in the Red/White/Blue fleets (Race Area B), and 75 across ILCA 4, ILCA 6, and C420 (Race Area C). A waiting list is maintained for each race area.
• Boats race with the sail number entered at registration. Sail and hull numbers need not match, and class membership is not required.

Regatta Schedule

Friday, October 16

• 1630 — on-site check-in opens for competitors, representatives, and coaches
• 1700 — deadline for sail numbers on the entry form
• 1830 — check-in closes for the day

Saturday, October 17

• 0745 — on-site check-in opens for sailors and coaches
• 0859 — on-site check-in closes for the event
• 0900 — competitors meeting, held in the check-in area
• 1030 — intended first warning signal for Race Area B (Opti Red/White/Blue) and Race Area C (C420, ILCA 4, ILCA 6)
• 1100 — intended first warning signal for Race Area A (Opti Green Fleet)
• 1700 — no first warning for a race will be made after this time

Sunday, October 18

• 0900 — intended first warning signal for all race areas
• 1300 — no first warning will be made after this time

Awards are presented as soon as possible after Sunday racing and any protest or redress hearings that could affect the top finishers.

Safety Requirements

• While afloat, all racers, coaches, and support persons shall wear US Coast Guard-approved PFDs.
• All powerboat operators (coaches and support persons) shall wear USCG-approved life jackets, shall adhere to federal and Florida state laws, and shall use an ECOS (Emergency Cut-Off Switch) attached to their person at all times when the engine is running.
• Competitor boats shall not carry any communication devices whatsoever — no VHF radios, pagers, cell phones, or smart watches.
• Coach and support boats shall carry a functional VHF radio and cell phone and monitor their radio channel for communication with the race committee.
• An online waiver must be signed by all competitors and their parent or guardian.

Coaches & Support Boats

• Coaches accompanying competitors must register online by noon ET, Wednesday, October 14, 2026. There is no coach registration on-site.
• Confirmation of SafeSport certification is required as part of coach registration.
• Registered coaches are identified by a numbered flag provided by the OA volunteer assigned to their club or organization. No ID flags are available to coaches who do not pre-register.
• Coaches and spectators without flags are required to anchor in the restricted area shown in the Sailing Instructions addendum.
• Support persons and coaches monitor their course VHF channel and assist when requested by the race committee.
• Launching facility locations, directions, and parking information will be posted here as the event approaches.

Prizes & Trophies

• Awards are given to fleets that meet the six-boat minimum, with the number of awards adjusted to class size.
• Red/White/Blue Opti fleets: gold, silver, and bronze in each fleet.
• ILCA 4, ILCA 6, C420 (spinnaker), and C420 (non-spinnaker): gold, silver, and bronze.
• Green Fleet competitors receive USODA-approved medals.
• New this year: the Lana Carlin (Alexander) Memorial Trophy for the top Junior Female Sailor in the ILCA fleet.
• The perpetual trophy for Overall Red, White & Blue Optimist will be awarded.
• The Opti Green Fleet also sails a special “Race for Ice Cream,” scheduled by the Principal Race Officer for Race Area A.

On-Site Information & What to Bring

• Entry fees do not include meals or beverages — everyone provides their own food and drink for both days of the event.
• As part of our Clean Regatta policies, all sailors, coaches, and families are asked to bring reusable water bottles to reduce waste. River Romp also takes part in US Sailing's Marine Debris Challenge.
• Service dogs in uniform are always welcome; pets must be leashed or restrained at all times.
• Per county regulations, no drugs, alcohol, vaping, tobacco products, or weapons are allowed on the premises.
• Coaches and competitors are encouraged to print the NoR and Sailing Instructions at home or keep a digital copy on their mobile device.

Regatta Contact & Lodging

Regatta contact: Stephanie Webb, (239) 770-1575, edisonsailing.webb@outlook.com

Edison Sailing Center has teamed up with Lee County Sports Housing, a local non-profit, to offer discounted hotel accommodations for this event. Reservation specialists are available Monday through Friday, 9AM–5PM ET at 239-541-1800.

Discounted rates are only available by calling that number or reserving directly through the event housing link: book River Romp lodging. Everyone is encouraged to reserve through this special housing link.

How to Register

All River Romp registration is handled online through Regatta Network. Choose the entry that matches how you're joining us:

Sailors

Coaches & Support Boats

Coaches and support boat operators must register separately before the event.

Registration opens in a new window on Regatta Network — please disable pop-up blockers if you have trouble. Questions? Contact us.

Why Compete?

River Romp is more than a race — it's an opportunity to:

• Test your skills against the best young sailors in the region
• Build confidence in competitive sailing situations
• Meet sailors from other programs and build friendships
• Experience the thrill of head-to-head racing
• Earn recognition for your sailing achievements
• Create memories you'll carry for a lifetime

For Spectators & Supporters

River Romp is a family-friendly event and everyone is welcome to come watch. You'll see exciting racing, beautiful boats, and the energy of young sailors pushing themselves to excel. Bring a folding chair, enjoy the riverside setting, and cheer on your favorite sailors!

Junior Olympic Designation

What Does Junior Olympic Mean?

A Junior Olympic designation recognizes that the event meets US Sailing standards for competitive excellence, fair play, and development of young sailors. It means River Romp is a sanctioned event where results count toward national youth sailing rankings.