The Sands 'Man in the Boat' Sculling Race was recently held in Treasure Cay, Abaco, but rather than just having the race and leaving, Sands wanted to do something that would benefit the community of North Abaco.

"The sculling races have been very successful, local communities have been embracing us, and we wanted to do something to give back to the community, to thank them for their support," commented Lynden Johnson, Sales and Marketing Manager at Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Co. Ltd.

While planning the first sculling race in Abaco, the Bahamian Brewery and Beverage team approached Gary Smith, Chief Councilor for North Abaco, for assistance in planning the event, but also to discover what they could do for the island. Smith indicated that the library in Cooper's Town needed additional computers before it could officially open.

After the meeting between representatives of the brewery and the North Abaco Council, an agreement was made, that if the sculling races were held in Treasure Cay, the brewery would donate computers to the library based on the profit made. Once the event was over, four computers were ordered and donated to the Cooper's Town Library by the brewery.

Chief Councilor Smith said: "It is definitely very encouraging that they lived up to their commitment. They were true to their word, and because of it we were able to negotiate with them to have the national sculling championship held in Treasure Cay, Abaco, as well. The North Abaco Council is willing to work with them again, any time, because they met their obligation, and to us that makes them a very good company to work with."

Gerrard Sawyer, marketing assistant at the brewery, noted: "The North Abaco district council members were very receptive to the sculling races and the idea of us helping out the community, they assisted us every step of the way in our endeavor."

Local sculling races have taken place in West End, Grand Bahama; Treasure Cay, Abaco; Rock Sound, Eleuthera; Long Island; at the Montagu regatta in Nassau; and several other islands in The Bahamas. The winners from the various islands will travel to Abaco in October for the national sculling championship. "The races have become a great family event, especially when the junior Triple 'B' sailing races have been added," noted Johnson. "Bahamian Brewery and Beverage is extremely proud to revitalize the sport of sculling, and to help bring back fun-filled family events for the community."

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian