Simon James - Race Director

Simon has been involved in the Thailand Marine industry since 1995.

Initially arriving to set up the Sunsail RYA Sailing School, based on Phuket. Simon became Sunsail's full time Skipper/Instructor averaging over 250 days a year on the water between 1995 and 1999. Well known in the sailing community, Simon has provided a wealth of information for a number of pilot books including "Sail Thailand" and has represented the Royal Thai Government promoting Marine Tourism around the world.

From 1999 to 2008, Simon took over the role of Asia Pacific Sales and Marketing Manager for Sunsail, the worlds largest yacht charter company . In addition to their Phuket operation, Sunsail established new bases throughout the region including, Langkawi (Malaysia), Na Trang (Vietnam), Koh Samui and Koh Chang (Thailand). During this period, Sunsail won the Asia-Pacific Boating Awards "Best Yacht Charter Company" three times.

On leaving Sunsail, Simon decided to concentrate on developing sailing events in Asia. The Regattas Asia brand was created as a service brand of Phuket and More, to offer a one-stop shop for regatta organisers providing everything from basic race operations to full event management. "It was a natural progression", said Simon James recently in an interview. "Asia has a number of great number run by adhok committees, they have lot's of ideas, but have few resources or no infra structure for moving their events forward.....

Regattas

Coming from a competitive sailing background, Simon joined the on-water support team of the Phuket King's Cup Regatta in 1995, joining the main committee in 1997 and in 2001 took over as Chairman of the Race Committee/Race Director, a post which he still holds after 12 years at the helm. During this time the event has been nominated in the Asia-Pacific Boating Awards as the "Best Regatta in Asia" every year, and is the only event to win on 3 occasions.

Simon is a fully qualified ISAF (International Sailing Federation) International Race Officer. His recent list of events include:

Phuket King's Cup Regatta - Race Director (12 Years)

The Bay Regatta - Principal Race Officer (12 Years)

Koh Samui Regatta - Race Director (5 Years)

Langkawi International Regatta - Principal Race Officer

Top of the Gulf Regatta 2011 - Race Officer

Phuket Race Week - Principal Race Officer (8 Years) - Also winner of Asia-Pacific Boating Awards - Best Regatta 2010

Korea Cup International Regatta - Technical Advisor.

Sail Sydney - International Jury

Sabang International Regatta - Technical Adviser

RORC - IRC Rules Authority for Thailand

In 2011, Simon and his fellow Phuket based committee members, were jointly awarded the '2011 Phuket Person of the Year Award" by the Phuket Gazette for their contribution to the community.

Although traveling extensively throughout Asia, Simon bases himself in Khanom (Surat Thani Province) or Phuket when he is in Thailand

SAMUI REGATTA

April, 2012

The Samui Regatta, is an annual event that takes place on the beautiful Thai island of Koh Samui.

Now in its eleventh year, this 'Tropical Island Regatta' has become one of the main events on the Asian sailing circuit and attracts an international fleet.

In March 2012, it was announced that Regattas.Asia will take over management of the regatta.

The 2012 regatta is developing into a classic, with the largest assembled 40ft class in Asia and entries form some of the largest and fastest yachts in the region.

Event and on-water Race Management is provided by regattas.asia.

PHUKET RACE WEEK

July, 2012

Phuket Raceweek is an action-packed international regatta – the first event in the 2012/2013 Asian Yachting Grand Prix Circuit.

Held off the East coast of Phuket since 2004, the regatta was voted Best Asian Regatta of The Year at the Asia Boating Awards 2011 making it only the second of Thailand’s six regattas to win the prestigious award.

Now in its ninth year, 38 boats entered the event in 2011 with approximately 400 participants, as entrants from around the world helped maintain Phuket Raceweek’s reputation as the most exciting and fastest-growing regatta in Asia.

On-water Race Management is provided by regattas.asia.

KITEBOARD TOUR ASIA - ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

April, 2012

The KTA is returning to Pranburi and Pak Nam Pran beach for its third visit and fingers crossed it will be every bit as successful as before as the wind and conditions have been spot on for some great competition over the past two seasons.

This event will bring Asia into line with the IKA and ISAF requirements for race championships to be decided through championship events rather than over a tour period. Pranburi will now see the crowning of the 11/12 session Asian Course Racing Champions from the Asian riders in both the race board and twin-tip classes, with Champion event titles also being up and open to any nationality - so lots to compete for in Pranburi this season.

On-water Race Management is provided by regattas.asia.

TOP OF THE GULF REGATTA

May, 2012

The Top of the Gulf Regatta, celebrates its eighth year with an expanded fleet and entries from throughout Asia and beyond.

Up to 70 boats will race on the keelboat and multihull courses, including the most competitive fleet of 40-footers ever assembled in Asia, as well as a large one-design Platu class competing for the Coronation Cup, cruising and multihull fleets.

Over 100 Asian youngsters are expected to compete in the Thailand Optimist Nationals on course three, including last years winner, Chaninat Poolsirikot, who was recently crowned the 2012 Asian Optimist Champion.

On-water Race Management is provided by regattas.asia.

ROYAL LANGKAWI REGATTA

April, 2012

Royal Langkawi International Regatta 2012 is organised and hosted by the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club.

The underlying aim has always been to provide competitive and enjoyable racing for all crews, irrespective of the design or vintage of their yacht. Thirty six boats divided into five classes have signed on, for the 10th running and continue the tradition of attracting highly competitive racing yachts and sailors from all over the world.

With strong wind conditions with flat waters in Kuah Harbour, as well as strong wind conditions with choppy waters in Coastal areas. All participants can look forward to a challenging and fascinating sailing experience

On-water Race Management is provided by regattas.asia.

PHUKET KING'S CUP REGATTA

December, 2011

The Phuket King's Cup Regatta is Asia's biggest and most popular regatta. Inaugurated in 1987 to celebrate the 60th birthday of His Majesty the King of Thailand.

Now in its 26th year, the event has been held annually during the first week of December and brings over 1,000 participants to Phuket.

With Royal Patronage, the Regatta is organised by the Phuket King's Cup Regatta Organizing Committee under the auspices of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, in conjunction with the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the Royal Thai Navy and the Province of Phuket.

On-Water and Event Management is provided by Regattas.Asia

THE BAY REGATTA

February, 2012

Showcasing some of the most stunning maritime scenery in the world – beaches, limestone karsts and cliffs – the Regatta takes racers on a tour of the bay and, as an extra bonus, offers a fun-filled time off the water – fantastic parties and camaraderie – for the 40 to 50 yachts in attendance.

Now in its 15th year, the Regatta is unique amongst Thailand sailing events. Hugely popular yet low-keyed, it has established itself as one of the key fixtures on the Southeast Asia yachting calendar with boats and crew returning to compete each year during the late January/early February appointed dates.

Affectionately billed as ‘the fun regatta’, The Bay Regatta appeals to the serious as well as the not-too-serious racers with most participants sleeping on boats as the courses lead them to a new anchorage and party venue each night.

Event and on-water Race Management is provided by regattas.asia.

For further details see

www.thebayregatta.com

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April, 2012

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April, 2012

SABANG INTERNATIONAL REGATTA

September, 2011

Presented by the Ministry of Culture & Tourism of Indonesia, the Sabang International Regatta is the first regatta organised by the Indonesia Government from the western part of Indonesia.

Held in September. The event sees three categories of racing namely the IRC class, Multihulls and Cruisers along with a special category for power yachts for this inaugural regatta.

The regatta is organised to namely promote Sabang and Aceh Province, which has been re-built after the 2004 Tsunami. Sabang, which is the capital town of Weh Island located on the North of Sumatran Island, boasts of scenic nature beauty, beaches, forests, coral reef and history.

The Organisers have lined up a host of activities for participants at both, Sabang and Aceh, besides hosting of dinner parties at selected venue. The SIR organising team is promising fun-filled prize giving parties.

On-shore event management in Thailand and Malaysia provided by regattas.asia.

For further details see www.sabangregatta.com