Sloop Sailing ‘A Bahamian Ting’

SLOOP SAILING

‘A Bahamian Ting’ By Shavaughn Moss Photographs courtesy of Philip ‘Doc’ Figdore

Sloop 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 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.

Cat Island Boat Going At It

And this is definitely a sport that is all about the love and bragging rights, because sloop sailors definitely do not compete for lucrative purses. The money they win in no way adds up to what they spend to get competition-ready.

The community is like a brotherhood, but the rivalry is alive and well among sloop sailing enthusiasts around the islands. Trash-talking is a normal thing. When the horn blast signals the start, it’s all about the business of winning.

“If you’re in a sport and don’t have the mind to win, you lose from before you start,” said Stefan.

No matter how much sloop sailing enthusiasts complain about what it costs to get a boat ready to compete in the country’s unofficial pastime, regatta, when a race is called, you will always find them at the starting line. And they more than likely trash-talked the entire time leading up to the race, jockeying to position themselves for the blast of the start horn. A boat owner could have lost races all year, but, in his mind, he and his vessel are always still the one to beat.

History reflects that the first organized regatta was held in 1954, but that Bahamians had been friendly racing in their wooden sloops long before, when they would go out fishing or crabbing. And for many of them, for the most part, it was their sole mode of transportation, so a little friendly competition wasn’t out of the question.

It was a group of Bahamian and American yachtsmen that was said to have conceived the idea of a Bahamian working sailing craft competition, for Bahamian sailors to have some sport, and a chance for cruising yachtsmen to witness one of the last working sailing fleets in action—and, at the same time, introduce them to cruising grounds in The Bahamas.

Nearly 70 Bahamian sloops, schooners and dinghies reportedly gathered in Elizabeth Harbour, Exuma, in April that year for three days of racing.

The Out Island (also known as Family Islands) Squadron that was formed made up of interested Bahamian and American yachtsmen, took on the responsibility of sponsoring what was to become an annual event in George Town, Exuma. And from 1954 to 1967 developed the regatta from its birth to its place as one of the most outstanding annual events in Bahamian affairs.

That initial successful event spawned the regatta circuit as it is known today.

In 1973, as part of Bahamian Independence celebrations, the annual regatta was held in Nassau. And to reorganize the race, a National Regatta Committee was formed. The committee has continued to take on the responsibility for staging the regatta every year in George Town.

The contestants in the early regattas were working vessels, and, except for three days of regatta, the boats were fishing for market, and freighting goods. In true Bahamian fashion, it was not long before the seeds of rivalry were sown, leading to the building of new boats for speed, to win races.

Sloops must be Bahamian designed, built, owned and sailed. And they try to keep the racing boats as closely related to their working forebears, the sailing smack, but that hasn’t always been the case.

“Back in the day, sailing was for the poor man. Nowadays, if it isn’t top notch, you won’t win. I guess

Laurin Knowles and Crew

Sweet Island Gal In The Lead it’s the evolution of the sport. It would have been nicer if it hadn’t got that far.”

While regattas have not been contested in the era of COVID-19, the islands that have hosted regattas in the past include Acklins, Andros, Bimini, Cat Island, Eleuthera (Harbour Island), Exuma, Grand Bahama, Long Island, Mayaguana and New Providence.

Even though sloop sailing is competitive, it’s not just about the competition, or a time to party. Regattas are a cultural expression the natives in the islands rely on for economic boost.

Whenever regattas return to the schedule, sloop sailing enthusiasts will be ready. The Knowles clan, especially, will be ready to roll…or, should I say, sail.

“In life, you are only here for a time, so enjoy yourself. I hardly ever missed the major regattas before the pandemic. After the pandemic, it’s on,” said Stefan.

And I’m certain that’s how every sloop sailing enthusiast in the country feels, because like Stefan said, it’s not just a culture, it’s in their blood. UA