An excited Bryan Ortiz-Soto had just returned home aboard his Riviera 505 SUV, Melanina, when Experience Magazine caught up with him following one of the largest boating festivals in the world, Xmas In July.
“Every year this event keeps getting better!”
An excited Bryan Ortiz-Soto had just returned home aboard his Riviera 505 SUV, Melanina, when Experience Magazine caught up with him following one of the largest boating festivals in the world, Xmas In July. Held each year at Pond Bay Beach on the island of Virgin Gorda in the Caribbean, this massive annual event is proudly organised by Puerto Rico Riviera representative Wally Castro Marine.
Almost 500 boats, with 5000 party lovers on board, descended on the bay for the 12th edition of the festival, a day of music and dancing to celebrate the end of another northern hemisphere summer.
“I felt this year was the best organised event so far and this is my fifth year,” said Mr Ortiz-Soto. “We love the atmosphere and camaraderie.”
Among all of the boats, 16 Rivieras were given a special VIP space together to view the excitement.
Puerto Rico Riviera representative Wally Castro (top right).
Almost 500 boats with 5000 party lovers on board descended on the bay for a day of music and dancing to celebrate the end of another northern hemisphere summer.
Mr Ortiz-Soto said: “We joined the Riviera raft-up. The organisers provided a wonderful area that gave us a great view of the stage on the beach, so we caught all of the entertainment from the comfort of our cockpits.
“It was great to spend time with other owners and also look over other Riviera models. I knew some of the owners and was able to meet others for the first time.
“I am in love with our new 505 SUV. She is a fantastic yacht and hopefully she won’t be my last! The raft-up was great for networking as well.”
The family event included live music with bands from the across the British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
The music was generated by the versatile and energetic band The Final Faze from Tortola, the largest of the British Virgin Islands, and Puerto Ricans Recordando Diciembre which offers a fusion of rock, blues, jazz and reggae, along with La Vecina and reggae singer Boris Bilbraut.
Javier Vazquez enjoyed the ’80s music with his family aboard their 46 Sports Motor Yacht. She is named Gigi after his daughter, who was also on board for the day.
“It is a great family event,” said Javier. “This is our fourth Xmas In July event and we all love it.”
The festivities featured a special visit by local celebrity, singer and actress, Tita Guerrero, who delighted everyone by taking the stage in a Santa Claus costume.
Local restaurants offered food and drinks throughout the day and into the night.
While the focus of Wally Castro’s Xmas In July is music and fun, the event also strongly promotes environmental protection. Plastic bottles and cups were banned. Instead, the organisers offered reusable and collectible tumblers which quickly sold out. Wally Castro Marine donated 15 per cent of the profits from the sale of the tumblers to Beyond the Reef, a British Virgin Islands non-profit organisation which focuses on marine environmental education and preservation.
As in previous editions, the partygoers were watched over by lifeguards, a medical clinic and representatives from the Red Cross.
Wally Castro said: “We believe in the benefits that nautical tourism contributes to Puerto Rico as well as the British Virgin Islands and that is why we invest our time and resources in this event.
“We love staging this spectacular event on the islands because we see the positive impact that Puerto Ricans have on the territory and the islands’ nautical industry.
“Based on the response we have seen in the most recent editions, this event definitely has to continue.”
X-mas In July social gallery
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