AC OPEN brings adrenaline-fueled excitement to America's Cup Village

AC OPEN kiteboard set for the America's Cup Village at Marina Green, San Francisco © Abner Kingman

The AC OPEN will see upwards of 16 events staged at the America's Cup Village at Marina Green over the next six weeks, running in parallel to the Louis Vuitton Cup and America's Cup.

Bringing together a wide range of one-design sail boats and other recreational watercraft, such as kiteboards, Access dinghies (with the Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors), the 18-foot skiffs, stand-up paddleboards, and land racers, the AC OPEN is a series of events that will enhance the spectator experience at the America's Cup Village as well as creating a link between users of San Francisco Bay and the America's Cup.

"Every one of our America's Cup athletes started by sailing in community events like the ones we're showcasing at the AC OPEN," said Stephen Barclay the CEO of the America's Cup.

"The AC OPEN is an exciting addition to the experience at the America's Cup Village at Marina Green. This is already the best place to see the start of the races and the power reaching when the AC72s charge towards shore and the first turning mark. Now, fans can make it a full day experience, enjoying the AC OPEN events before and after racing."

Johnny Heineken, the champion kiteboarder, had a taste of the AC OPEN experience two weeks ago, during the Kites and Big Cats Regatta, which served as a test bed for the AC OPEN platform.

"We're going around the same courses as the America's Cup boats and playing the same game," said Heineken. "It's kind of a fun and easy transition where we get to learn a board sport that's exciting and high-performance, but play the same game we grew up with."

The AC OPEN events are organized independently of the America's Cup but Principal Race Officer John Craig and his team will be lending a supportive hand.

AC OPEN events at America's Cup Village: (Marina Green)

• Aug 3-4 - Land Sailing at America's Cup Park
• Aug 6 - OnBoardSUP Yoga (Aug 6, 7, 9, 10, 17, 18, 21, 24, Sept 7, 8, 10, 12, 14)
• Aug 9 - 420 regatta
• Aug 10 - BAADS Open at America's Cup Park
• Aug 11 - Outrigger Canoe
• Aug 11 - Windsurf Freestyle
• Aug 16-18 - Open Bic High-Wind Slalom
• Aug 16 - Kites Big Air
• Aug 21 - Cort's Kites
• Aug 24 - Prone Paddle
• Aug 24 - Windsurf CalCup
• Aug 25 - SUP
• Aug 25 - F18 AC OPEN
• Aug 31-Sept 2 - SUP World Championship
• Sept 7 - Hobie 16'
• Sept 7-15 - 18' Skiff World Championship