Sailfish Splash Waterpark
Nearly 8,000 athletes, spectators, coaches and official from all over Florida will come to Sailfish Splash Aquatic Athletics Center over the next two weekends, November 6-7 and 13-14, for the Pinch-A-Penny FHSAA Swimming and Diving Finals.
This is the third consecutive year that the FHSAA has hosted its signature meet at the Sailfish Splash Aquatic Athletics Center. The events will provide exciting entertainment, in addition to generating substantial positive economic impact to Martin County from visitors staying in hotels, dining out, gassing up, shopping and having fun.
In collaboration with the local host schools, Jensen Beach High School and South Fork High School, the Martin County Parks & Recreation Department will provide operational management and coordination, with support from the Treasure Coast Sports Commission. Hurricane Grill and Wings is serving as the lead hospitality sponsor, complemented by important hospitality from Chick-fil-A of Stuart, Carrabbas Italian Grill, FirstWatch Daytime Café, Outback Steak House Stuart, Southern Pig and Cattle Stuart, and Hungry Howie’s Pizza. Other sponsors include Compressport, the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast, Ohana Surf Shop, Pat Toner’s H2O School and Tropical Smoothie Café (all Martin County outlets).
Sports tourism at the high school and collegiate level, as exemplified by the FHSAA Swimming and Diving Finals, continues to grow in importance as a driver of business for Martin County and the Treasure Coast. The area has played host this year to the largest invitational swimming and diving meet in Florida, as well as large, multiday, softball, soccer and lacrosse tournaments, all at Martin County Parks & Recreation venues. Moreover, at least eight (15) college swim teams (nearly 500 athletes plus coaches), each staying an average of seven nights, will conduct their winter workouts at the Sailfish Splash Aquatic Athletic Center for the College Swim Coaches Association of America Winter Training Forum during December and January.
“Sports tourism, especially at the high school and collegiate level, puts heads in beds,” noted Kevin Abbate, Director, Martin County Department of Parks & Recreation. “Out of necessity and devotion, enthusiastic entourages of coaches, parents, boosters, and peers accompany high school and collegiate athletes.”
“A good measure of credit for the quality of this year’s event will go to our hospitality sponsors.” said Craig Jon Anderson, Marketing Manager, Sailfish Splash Waterpark and Martin County Department of Parks & Recreation. “We do everything we can to encourage visitors and the local community to patronize our sponsors, all of which can be found online at the following address https://joom.ag/nbNp.”
For more information about the Sailfish Splash Aquatic Athletics Center and water park and the Martin County Department of Parks & Recreation, call 772-463-2840 or email canderso@martin.fl.us.
