It is a little less than 5 hours from Bham. The drive is easy, 4 lane almost all the way.

There is a huge asphalt parking lot next to the launch site. There were RVs parked there for the race (and a sailboard function going on) last year, perfect for the Olee-mobile. They also have pretty good deals on condos/hotels for race participants. Racing is held in between the barrier island (Santa Rosa Island??) and the mainland = good breeze and slight chop. The barrier island between Navarre and Pcola beach is almost exclusively National Seashore (no buildings, pristine white sand beaches).

Day One of racing takes you all the way down to Pcola Beach bridge and back (for spin boats), so you get to see A LOT of the beach. Day Two is triangles in front of Juana's Pagoda.

'Round The Island has traditionally been the following weekend, so a few out-of-town boats probably skipped this regatta in the past. RTI has been moved to June this year, so there could be a larger turnout (probably 35ish boats last year).

I am open to any location and any weekend. Avoiding the most conflicts will enure a better turnout, so bring up any other suggestions.