“We clear the harbor and the wind catches her sails and my beautiful ship leans over ever so gracefully, and her elegant bow cuts cleanly into the increasing chop of the waves” a quote by L.A. Meyer that describes his pure joy of sailing, a joy which many Bahamians love and enjoy too.
The 2018 Regatta season officially kicked off this past April with the launch of the Exuma Island Regatta. The Grand Bahama Regatta committee for 2018 are pleased to announce plans for Homecoming and Regatta Weekend on July 20th - 22nd, 2018. According to Regatta Committee Chairman, Cherivita Campbell, “the regatta weekend is all about promoting the sport of sailing and encouraging more Bahamians to get involved in this national pastime.”
This year in the C Class, teams will be coming in from Exuma (Termite & Golden Girls), Long Island (Sacrifice) and 6 boats from New Providence. For the past few years the Grand Bahama Sailing Club has also participated in the Regatta, creating a junior division sailing Opti’s or Lasers.
The regatta committee is also hoping to find sponsors to assist with obtaining more C and E class sailing boats for the event. It is the hope of the committee to allow young sailors the chance to sail in these sloops, and that the older Bahamian sailors use in this regatta to potentially form their own teams in the future.
“Regattas have always been a family event whether it’s coming out to watch or participating in the Regatta,” said Campbell. “In order to keep these regattas going strong we need more people participating each year as we host this event”. “Our on-shore activities include watermelon eating contest, beach volleyball, beer drinking contest and other native games. This will be led by Mr. Jeffery Pinder – ‘Mr. Native’ himself. “
Besides sailing, the Regatta team is also organizing other events for the weekend including the annual Skipper’s Party at Out To Sea, a Beach Party at Pirates Cove, and Pre and After parties at LC’s to name a few. We welcome other hot spots to get onboard.
Long time Regatta Committee member, Ms. Janet ‘Liz’ Grant, of The Broadcasting Corportion, ZNS will be awarded this year’s 2018 Honoree award. Liz is affectionately known as the first female honoree of a male dominated sport. The weekend will also feature local musical talent through the production of Rock The Bahamas, Bahamian talent search set for Saturday night at no cost and of course booths of great Bahamian delicacies throughout the island.
The projected cost of this year’s regatta weekend is estimated at over eighty thousand dollars. Helping assist the committee, sponsors in monetary and in kind are: the Ministry of Agriculture & Marine Resources, Grand Bahama Port Authority, FOCOL, Polymers International, Pelican Bay, Taino Beach Resort, Uncle P’s, X-treme Car Auto and Rental, Tropical Shipping, Shift Car Rental (Nassau), Ministry of Tourism, Out To Sea, Ministry of Grand Bahama, Barefoot Marketing, AYE! Bahamas App, Pollo Tropical, BWA, OnPoint Graphics, Claire’s Janitorial Services and Control Chemicals. In addition to this, the committee partners with the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Royal Bahamas Defense Force, Red Cross, Public Health Authority, and Keavliers Kleaners, LC’s Cabana to make the event happen.
“We are still seeking sponsors for this weekend,” said Campbell. “Whether it’s funds or services, all donations will be greatly appreciated and help pull off this national event.”
To learn more about the GB Regatta and & Homecoming Weekend, persons are invited to click on their Facebook page ‘Grand Bahama Regatta & Homecoming’, or contact Campbell and her team at 1(242) 443-5873.
Right to Left: Pictured are this year’s GB Regatta Committee: P. Kyle Stuart, Entertainment Coordinator, Sherri Saunders. Regatta Booklet, Skippers Social, J. Elizabeth 'Liz' Grant, 2018 Honoree, Santina Basden Committee Member, Chervita K. Campbell GB Regatta Chairman, Acharo Knowles Kalik Representative. Not pictured but serving this year are Umeakie Sawyer Treasurer, Rasheema Ingraham, Jr. Sailing Coordinator and Maudtasma Lundy, Relations.(Photo courtesy of the GB Regatta Committee for Barefoot Marketing)
