St. Croix urges water safety as sailing worlds meet open-water swimmers

ST. CROIX: Officials are calling for heightened caution in waters near Green Cay and Buck Island this Sunday as the island simultaneously hosts world-class sailing and a major open-water swimming event.

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources issued the warning as St. Croix prepares to welcome the 2026 International Sunfish Class Association World Championships, which run through November 14. Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol flagged the collision of marine traffic: the final day of youth, masters and women's sailing races overlaps November 8 with the 30th annual Coral Reef Swim Race, known locally as the Buck to Bucc Swim.

Boaters are advised to slow down, watch for swimmers and racing sailboats, and obey instructions from event staff and marine safety crews. The department did not announce specific water closures but stressed the need for vigilance throughout the area.

Two Events, One Day

The St. Croix Yacht Club is running the sailing championships from Hotel on the Cay at Protestant Cay in Christiansted. The program splits into two phases: youth, masters and women's races from November 4 to 8, with competition Friday through Sunday; then the 55th ISCA Open World Championship from November 8 to 14, with racing November 10 to 13.

Organisers counted 73 sailors from 18 countries in October planning. The International Sunfish Class Association noted 15 competitors from the US Virgin Islands, aged 15 to 71. Both the women's and open divisions serve as qualifying rounds for sailing at the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.

Sunfish racing uses small single-handed boats where wind, boat handling and tactical choices determine winners. Spectators can watch from the Christiansted waterfront as vessels move between Protestant Cay and the racecourse.

The Swim

The Buccaneer resort hosts the Coral Reef Swim, drawing recreational and competitive swimmers from St. Croix and beyond. The race offers three distances: one mile, 2.4 miles and five miles. The five-mile swimmers start at Buck Island at 7:30 a.m. and head to Mermaid Beach at The Buccaneer, while shorter races begin at Pull Point and Shoys Beach, all finishing at Mermaid Beach.

The event typically draws more than 200 swimmers. Sunday morning will see early shuttling of participants to start lines and movement of safety boats, adding to congestion in the already busy zone.