SLOOP SAILING
‘A Bahamian Ting’ By Shavaughn Moss Photographs courtesy of Philip ‘Doc’ Figdore
S
loop sailing is a well-known tradition in The Bahamas, but it’s more than just tradition, it’s a culture and, dare I say, a feeling—one that sloop sailors say is hard to explain, as it is in their blood. Stefan Knowles, son of the legendary Laurin L. Knowles from Long Island, describes sailing sloops in regattas that are arguably a national pastime, as an adrenaline rush. “It’s a feeling that’s hard to explain,” said Stefan. “No matter how tired you may be, or how discouraged— weather or whatever—whenever you get on the starting line, it’s just you and the boat and the race.” What they are racing is the Bahamian wooden sailing vessel, created by a man’s hands, from the material nature has provided, and that is powered by the wind. The sloop sailing culture has evolved from pure working sail to out-and-out racing thoroughbreds. And regatta brings boat builders from around the country to pit their vessels against one another for the ultimate test of the ability to build a winner. Literally anyone can engage in sloop sailing, which covers a wide spectrum of ages. Once you can swim and move around at sea, you can participate. Many sloop sailors like Stefan were on sloops very
13
up and away
David and Don Knowles and Crew early in life and began competitive sailing before they were even preteens. It is this passion that was nurtured early in life, which fuels that of sloop sailors. So, err on the side of caution when attending a regatta, because sloop sailors and boat builders take pride in
their vessels. There are several topics that you never want to get into a “debate” with a Bahamian about and one of them is sloop sailing with a sloop sailing enthusiast. Everyone has their favourite boat and skipper, and you will hear about it.
