REGATTAS A WAY OF LIFE IN THE ISLANDS
Bull Reg and Confusion go head to head during a C-Class
By Kendea Smith Photographs courtesy of Patrick Hanna/Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs PR Department
I
t happens in Andros, Bimini, Cat Island, Exuma, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama and New Providence and is the lifeblood of many residents—regattas are more than just boat races to Bahamians. According to officials, there are about 76 boats that are registered to race throughout The Bahamas. The first official regatta was held in 1954, but Chairman of the National Family Island Regatta Committee Danny Strachan would tell you that Bahamians have been sailing long before that. “Rolleville says that they have been sailing for about 76 years. However, organized regattas would be about 69 years old. Regattas have evolved over
the years. When they started, they were work boats because the occupants would spend about three to four weeks working, fishing and cooking on those boats,” he said. Strachan indicated that many younger Bahamians are now training to become masters of the sea. “It is a way of life for many Bahamians. Over the years, the boats have turned into racing vessels, and they are built for speed. The regattas are continuing to grow as the interest in it continues to grow. We have a junior programme and many of the boaters in that programme are able to compete with veterans. We need to bring in new blood and we are well on our way to doing that.”
july 2022
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