Coupeville Wharf will play host to 150 youth sailors during an interscholastic sailing competition in April.

Oak Harbor Youth Sailing was asked to host the Northwest Interscholastic Sailing Association 2015 Double Handed District Championships April 24-26.

Erik Mann, volunteer instructor and board member for the organization, said the group wants to host the event in Penn Cove because the cove is deeper than the waters in Oak Harbor.

He requested exclusive use of the wharf docks for that weekend from the Port of Coupeville.

“This sounds like a great opportunity for the kids, the port and the town,” said port commissioner Bill Larsen.

Approximately 150 sailors with 30 two-person sailing dinghies from all over the Pacific Northwest will compete in the two-day regatta. Practice will be held that Friday.

The event will also bring in additional people, including family members and other spectators.

The board of commissioners for the port approved the use of the wharf that weekend and the Coupeville Chamber of Commerce stepped up to help cover some of the costs the use of the wharf will incur.

Mann said he is working on getting the sailors housed at Camp Casey, but that some schools opt to seek their own lodging and some parents will probably seek lodging elsewhere in town.

“It’s going to bring a lot of economic opportunities for the town,” said commissioner Marshal Bronson. “It’s good publicity, a good activity for the port.”

Mann has already submitted a special event permit application with the Town of Coupeville and has requested use of the boat launch that weekend.

Teams and spectators will stage on the wharf and boat rotations will take place from the wharf.