FAQ

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Describe a typical Highland Spring HIHO day:

A typical day during the event is as follows: wake up aboard you yacht on anchor and share breakfast in the cockpit with your fellow HIHOers. Competitors in the Highland Spring HIHO race will need to go ashore for the daily skippers meeting, then prepare for the days competition which starts at 11:00. More than likely the fleet will re-locate to a new island in the morning so you'll help sail the boat or just relax as the captain handles things. Lunch will be ashore on a beautiful beach. Afternoon activities might include swimming, snorkeling, kayaking windsurfing, or just relaxing… By late afternoon the fleet will have relocated to wherever we are spending the night. Dinner is served at 7:30pm so come ashore ready to eat and dance!

Is Highland Spring HIHO an all-inclusive event?

Yes, Highland Spring HIHO is an "all-inclusive" event in as far as your package price covers accommodations, lunch and dinner each day, drinks with meals, parties each night, most activities, cruising tax, T-shirt & bag. Extra costs include equipment rentals, race entry fees, drinks & snacks you might buy for your yacht, drinks you buy at night, certain activities such as scuba diving and airport transfers and departure tax.

Is the Highland Spring HIHO event fast-paced?

From time-to-time we get feedback that the Highland Spring HIHO event is fast-paced. Racing windsurfers in particular may sometimes feel like they are hustling to prepare their equipment all the time. It should be noted that we do cover a lot of ground and there are days when you might seem to rig, race, eat lunch, un-rig and then sail to a new island. You can't windsurf over 150 miles and visit a dozen islands without some hustle.

How do I know if I should compete in Racing or Cruising?

There is a big difference between the two classes of competition in the event. Racing class attracts a wide range of windsurfers from semi-pros like 2004 Champion Julien Quentel to strong "weekend warriors". The best qualification for entering Racing is an ability to windsurf for over two hours and be able to tack & jibe. Cruising class is for advanced beginners and intermediate level windsurfers. Cruisers race less often than Racers and do not compete on the inter-island courses.

If I am not a windsurfer is this the wrong vacation for me?

The roots of the Highland Spring HIHO event lie in windsurfing but today more than 50% of the participants are non-competitors who join the event for the inter-island adventure itinerary. Yes, the race route and the event itinerary are closely intertwined and sometimes the pace may seem a little hectic, but the week-long inter-island route is second to none. Couple this with the fun activities and great parties and

Describe life aboard the yachts.

The yacht element of the Highland Spring HIHO event just might be the best part. Living aboard a yacht is great! Hang out with friends in the cockpit, catch a nap or read on the bow trampoline or dive off for swim. Our yachts are provided by The Moorings, the World's largest charterboat company and are between 40 and 45ft. The cabins are roomy and include an en-suite bathroom. We handpick expert captains who are in charge so you can concentrate on enjoying your watersports vacation.

Will my non-windsurfing partner be bored?

This is a tough one to answer, but let's just say that if sailing, windsurfing, snorkeling, diving, kayaking or relaxing and visiting 12 different islands in a week can't keep someone occupied while you windsurf a few hours each day, then no, Highland Spring HIHO isn't your vacation.

How Do I Get There?

Getting to British Virgin Islands is easy. If you are traveling to Tortola from the USA you'll probably have to change planes in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The final 25-minute flight is aboard a smaller prop plane. Travel from Europe means you'll probably first stop in Antigua or St Martin and connect to smaller planes on to Tortola. Italian or Spanish participants should look into the flying Iberia to San Juan, Puerto Rico, then connecting to Tortola on American Eagle.

From the Americas, American/American Eagle offers the best service from the USA and South America. Note that American Eagle planes will not carry any sail or board bags! Other US carriers serving the Tortola via San Juan include Delta, Continental, US Air & United. Service from South America via San Juan is on offer from COPA, Avianca and TACA. From the UK & Europe, travel may be via NY or Miami with American or into St Martin on KLM or Air France. Connect to Tortola via American Eagle, LIAT or Winair. UK carriers fly to Antigua. Virgin and British Airways offer the best schedules. Connect to Tortola via LIAT or Caribbean Star. Both these carriers will accommodate equipment.

Can I Bring My Own Equipment?

If you plan to bring your sails and boards we recommend you travel on American Airlines on a direct flight from Miami or New York to St Thomas. Delta and US Air also have direct flights to St Thomas. Travel between St Thomas and Tortola is easy on the inter-island ferries. Cost is $20 each way. The ferry dock is close to the St Thomas airport. Careful- the last ferry departs at 4:45pm. When booking your flights tell your travel agent you want to fly to "Tortola, British Virgin islands" or "St Thomas"