Regattas: A Way of Life In the Islands

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

It 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.”

Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs Hon. Clay Sweeting participates with members of the Patten Pride from Blackpoint, Exuma

Joshua Green, skipper from the Captain Peg from Andros, participates in the E-Class race

President of the Exuma Sailing Club Dallas Knowles would agree. The club takes budding sailors from eight to 18 years old.

“We train them to sail in the optimist and sunfish classes and, as they become more experienced, we move them into the junior sloops. We are unique because we use both traditional sloops and international fleets for training,” he explained.

“A lot of kids are involved, and I have parents asking all the time how their kids can be involved in sailing, and we are in the Elizabeth Harbour in Exuma all the time. It’s a great sport where kids learn discipline and it takes a lot of attention to detail to make sure everything is right and working. But with them competing and beating veterans now, a lot of respect has been earned for them.”

Regattas and sloop sailing remain a profound passion for many Bahamians. The boats are works of art on the sea.

The races are hotly contested as many islands look to be crowned “The Best of the Best”, which is the final regatta held for the year, in December, in New Providence.

The events themselves have birthed many professions such as boat building, sail making, T-shirt manufacturing, arts, music and entrepreneurship.

Lloyd Sands, a boat builder and sailor out of South Andros, said he learned this trade because his father repaired boats. He added that he finds boatbuilding to be a lucrative profession. From Left, BAAA President Drumeco Archer and Hon. Clay Sweeting pose with Tanaj Manos, Trevor Brown Jr, Dallas Clark of One Bahamas won the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs Cup

Bob Couglin, president of The Friends of The Exumas Foundation, Stephen Knowles, Acting Governor General Cynthia Pratt

The Mako participates in the E-Class race

“Boat building represents who I am because of where I am from. I always watched my father as he repaired boats and I realized that all the boat builders were dying out. I love boat building and sailing evenly. When I put a boat together, I am challenging myself to build something that will fly on the water,” he said.

“I like to see the kids’ faces when they help build something that can go on the water and, hopefully, we will have a new generation of boat builders soon because this is our way of life.”

This year, the National Family Island Regatta, held in Exuma, featured the C and E Classes of boats. Usually, this event features classes A, B, C and E. However, many of the upper-class boats were unable to sail in Exuma due to much-needed repairs because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is anticipated that more boats will participate in the Andros, Bimini, Eleuthera/Harbour Island and Long Island regattas. The regattas also have dynamic onshore activities.

This year, there were vendors from across The Bahamas selling food, arts and crafts and other items. Many of them were eager to serve patrons after a two-year hiatus.

“These regattas have a tremendous impact to where they are being held and this consists of Bahamians and foreigners coming in. The regattas do wonders for the islands, especially in islands where they don’t have a lot of activity,” said Strachan.

He added that the Regatta Committee is looking forward to next year’s celebrations.

“Next year is the 50th anniversary of the country and, certainly, we will have plans associated with that.” UA