Wind whips across the wave tops spraying surf into the faces of the sailors. No, this isn’t a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean. It’s a peek into the world of laser boat racing, the purest and most technically demanding form of sail boat racing there is. This past weekend, the Sarasota Yacht Club hosted the 2025 International Laser Class Association’s (ILCA) Gulf Coast Championships, one of the main regatta’s in the ILCA’s North American Grand Prix circuit.

The regatta was broken up into three tiers, based upon the size of the rig: ILCA 4, ILCA 6 and ILCA 7. While all laser boats are piloted by just one sailor and are the same dimensions, the size of the sail varies. ILCA 7 boats, for instance, are raced at the Olympic level and typically manned by adult sailors, while youth sailors such as members of the Sarasota Yacht Club’s Laser team race in the slightly smaller ILCA 6 class. Although the ILCA 6 class sports smaller rigs, the competition is just as intense.

“The laser is an extremely physical boat. Some boats aren’t that physical, they’re more about the rigging of the equipment and the tactics, but with the laser you really have to work the boat with your body more than the competition,” says Brett Putnam, Head Sailing and Laser coach at Sarasota Yacht Club. “Having that physical ability is extremely important to make the boat go fast. The second part of laser racing is strategy—which side of the race course are you going to go to?”

Laser races are around three and a half nautical miles long, taking approximately 50 minutes each. There are five races per regatta, working in a low point scoring system. The better a sailor does in each race, the lower their score will be. The sailor with the lowest total score at the end of the regatta is crowned victorious for the day.

With a total of 125 boats competing across the three classes, the ILCA Gulf Coast Championships at Sarasota Yacht Club was a rousing success. Not only did it represent Sarasota as a host city for a major stop on the international sailing circuit, but it also featured close competition.

“Each fleet pretty much came down to the last race,” says Putnam. “The difference between first and second place can be as little as five inches."

Sarasota Yacht Club, 941-365-4191, 1100 John Ringling Blvd, Sarasota. 

Sarasota Yacht Club sailor Griffin Roberts pilots his laser boat in 2024. Photo by Wes Roberts.

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Get ready for an afternoon of nonstop fun! Wellen Park is rolling out its inaugural Family Fun Day on Saturday, April 12, from noon to 4 p.m. in Downtown Wellen — and everyone’s invited. This free, family-friendly event is packed with exciting activities for all ages, from classic carnival games and face painting to a high-energy dance party and the ultimate foamboree — a bubbly, laughter-filled twist on the classic slime experience. Kids and parents alike can test their pitching skills at the Atlanta Braves’ fast-pitch batting cage and explore Downtown Wellen’s many kid-approved attractions, including the nature-inspired playground, splashpad, The Yard’s unique shipping container food kiosks and the brand-new Pop-Up Park in Hammock Green. Families can also embark on Wander at Wellen, an interactive augmented reality storytelling adventure that brings Downtown Wellen’s playful spirit to life. Plus, those who complete at least three experiences will win either an ice cream from Bright Ice or a small coffee from Foxtail Coffee. For more information about Family Fun Day, visit wellenpark.com/events/family-fun-day.

Drama Kids of Manasota has had a fantastic 2024/2025 season of classes and next week we are starting our rehearsals for end of year shows! Over the next 6/7 weeks, our kids will be learning a Drama Kids original play and performing the week of May 12th. We are finalizing our scripts as we speak so we are doing a last call for any last-minute enrollments. We're waiving the $25 admin fee for our last-minute enrollees so it the cost will be $72 a month for April and May - no additional fees. If you have any questions or would like to enroll please call Owner/Director Andrew Berent at 941-922-8121. 

On March 31, The Sarasota Players announced their 96th Season lineup of shows for the 2025-26 season at their Crossings at Siesta Key theatre. The season is titled Rebels & Dreamers: a season of bold voices, with five electrifying productions filled with passion, perseverance, and the undeniable power of a strong voice. From dreamers chasing love and success to rebels challenging society’s rules, each show in our 96th Season is a story of resilience, ambition, and the fight to be heard. Renewals start April 9, subscriptions go on sale May 1, and single tickets go on sale July 1. Go to our website theplayers.org for more information or call 941.365.2494.   

Booker High School is pleased to announce that 15 Cambridge AICE students have received prestigious awards from Cambridge International Education – part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment (Cambridge) and the University of Cambridge – to acknowledge their outstanding performance on the 2024-25 Cambridge examinations. The awards celebrate the success of students taking Cambridge examinations around the world. More than 1 million students participate in Cambridge programs every year in over 160 countries. 

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Meet the area’s youngest and most talented entrepreneurs this Saturday, April 5, at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime. Ages range from 8 to 17 and their businesses range from original art to books they have published to scrumptious goodies. This is the sixth time The Bazaar has hosted this event and each time gets better and better. They will be ready to show off their wares in the courtyard area from 11-2. There will be live music all day from students of Music Compound. The Bazaar is open 10-3 at 821 Apricot Ave in Sarasota. While here you can enjoy a delicious lunch at Hamlet’s Eatery and browse the 40 local vendors inside. For more information visit www.Bazaaronapricotandlime.com 

Childcare challenges are the #1 reason parents leave the workforce, according to the Florida Chamber of Commerce. This alarming statistic fuels worker shortages and disrupts a company’s ability to attract and retain top talent. But now, a game-changing solution is here. The Child Care Business Tax Credit, championed by Representative Fiona McFarland and Senator Erin Grall, offers significant tax savings to businesses that support working families. Companies can claim up to $300 per month per eligible child or grandchild when providing childcare assistance. Additionally, businesses establishing on-site childcare can recover up to 50% of startup costs for a licensed center. The tax credit can be applied to Corporate Income Tax, Insurance Premium Tax, Severance Tax on Oil & Gas Production, Beverage Tax or Direct Pay Sales Tax. The Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County—which oversees early care and education for children ages 0-5—is a proud advocate of this initiative. Acting as a local resource, the ELC helps businesses navigate the process to maximize their benefits through the nonprofit’s Childcare Business Task Force, a committee of local business and economic development leaders. High-quality childcare isn’t just a family issue—it’s an economic one. When businesses invest in early learning, they cultivate a dependable workforce, strengthen their bottom line, and contribute to a thriving community. The ripple effect is undeniable: children succeed, parents stay employed, and businesses prosper. 

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The School District of Manatee County will host a STEM Showcase to share all the opportunities available to students in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math. The event will take place Saturday, April 5, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bradenton Area Convention Center. Attendees will have the chance to learn how STEM millage funds are enhancing students’ educational experiences in the School District of Manatee County. Additionally, all the pathways available to students from elementary to high school will be showcased. Featured at the STEM Showcase will be programs and opportunities like CoDrone EDU, Catapult Displays, VEX Robotics, 3D printing, WOZ Ed, Math Superstars Competition, and the Guy Harvey Program. Food trucks, giveaways, and hands-on activities will also be available. The Bradenton Area Convention Center is located at 1 Haben Boulevard in Palmetto.