Hobie 16 North American Championship at the Ocean Springs Yacht Club

Sailors from across the country are gathering at the Ocean Springs Yacht Club for the Hobie 16 North American Championship.

Monday marked the official kick off of the Hobie 16 North American Championship with over 46 teams participating in the competition.

Normally, competitors travel from outside of the United States for this competition, but due to COVID travel restrictions, many were not able to compete this year.

John Nekus, a sailor from Indiana, tells News 25 sailing is a great sport for the younger generation to get involved in. “So, there is a whole younger group of both male and female individuals that are learning the sport of sailing, learning competition, learning what it is to rig a sail boat in and to get out on the water. So, it gets them active, it gets our young people active, it gets them out of the living room, off the Xbox. It gets them out doing some very healthy activities both with the family and other competitors.”

The competition will run until Friday with teams competing to win a spot in the World Championship which will take place next year in Spain.