Anybody braving the rain on their route into Hamilton on Thursday morning will have seen an intrepid SailGP Hype Crew publicising the event.

With exactly a month to go until the sailing extravaganza returns to Bermuda shores, SailGP Hype Crew members braved the rain before school and set up camp at Barkers Hill and Trimingham Hill roundabouts.

The SailGP Hype Crew consists of approximately 50 young sailors ranging from 6 to 16 years old, drawn from both the Endeavour programme and the Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association

These participants have the unique opportunity to be actively involved in the build-up to the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix, contributing to the event's atmosphere and energy on the island. They have been busy distributing posters in businesses across the island and will also be volunteering with SailGP at The Bermuda Annual Agricultural Exhibition later this month.

The Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association is responsible for promoting Optimist sailing on the island for children under the age of 15. Established in the late 1990s, it provides structured coaching, organises national and international competitions, and serves as the primary development pathway for young sailors in Bermuda.

Over the past two decades, BODA has sent teams to the Optimist World Championships every year, produced multiple top-10 finishes globally, and helped develop sailors who have gone on to compete at elite international levels. By engaging these young sailors, SailGP plays an important role in inspiring the next generation, helping young Bermudians see a clear pathway from Optimist sailing to international and even professional competition.

Endeavour is dedicated to making sailing accessible to young people of all backgrounds and abilities by providing hands-on STEAM through sailing learning opportunities within a fun, safe, supportive and diverse environment. Endeavour and SailGP share a vision of making sailing more accessible and inclusive for young people of all backgrounds and abilities through community engagement and experiential learning opportunities.

The Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix will be the fifth stop of the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship from May 9-10, as international teams race in identical 50-foot foiling catamarans faster than wind speeds over 100/km per hour. The event will be a spotlight moment for Bermuda, showcasing the island’s capabilities, beauty and status as a top global sailing destination on the world’s stage.

This will be the fourth time Bermuda hosts SailGP, and it's set to be an action-packed weekend. Tickets are still on sale at SailGP.com/Bermuda.