Ready for Regatta 2014!
‘Tis the season! Race season, that is. Sailboat racing, to be exact. Bahamian sloop sailboats, to be really precise.
And we are ready!
Despite how busy it’s been, nothing takes priority over Regatta! Numerous sailing regattas take place throughout the Bahamas and around the world. However, in our area, “Regatta” in the shorthand means only one thing: the national championship race, the National Family Island Regatta, held every April in George Town, Exuma, Bahamas.
For newcomers to this blog, or as a refresher, click here for a Regatta Primer and pictures. (For… Continue reading
Regatta Recap
Well, dear readers, my apologies for such a delay in posting. I returned from Regatta and promptly took ill – too much hugging and lots of people around in that busy week, I suppose! It’s still got its clutches in me a bit, but I’m feeling mostly fine and going about business as usual.
I’ve also delayed because I just didn’t know what or how to write about this particular race series.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . . .It certainly was the epoch of incredulity!
I won’t attempt to… Continue reading
Regatta Prep: Setting the Mast
Greetings, Better Lifers! Regatta week is upon us now!
In our last post, we saw the Captain and crew readying the sailboat and launching her into the sea. A few weeks after that occurred, it was time to set her skyscraping mast.
Helpful Mail BoatAs you may recall, the mail boat passes through our chain of islands every week or so, bringing everything AND the kitchen sink. To onload and offload particularly large or heavy items (e.g., trucks, small boats, heavy stacked pallets, etc.), the boat uses a large onboard crane.
One afternoon a few weeks ago,… Continue reading
Regatta Prep: Launching the Sailboat!
(Roundup of background info here for those of you who may have missed it.)
Our local community sends two A-class sailboats to the race every year, both of them national champions several times over. The boats are already moored securely in George Town, where the Regatta will take place. Meanwhile, however, I thought I’d give you a glimpse into some of the preparation that goes into getting these boats ready.
Boat Building and RepairI think these traditional Bahamian sloops are so beautiful – for their clean lines and sail-filled grace, as… Continue reading
Regatta Teaser
‘Tis the season! Regatta season! National championship sailing race coming up next week!
To tide you over – or to introduce this to newer readers – here are prior Regatta posts to whet your appetite. Regatta Fever is raging here!
This post (“Regatta Primer”) introduces you to Bahamian sloop racing and my enthusiasm. This post (“Regatta Photo Tour”) links you to 59 photos from the 2012 Regatta, via the blog’s Facebook page. I’m excited just looking at the pics again! This post (“Return from Regatta & Sailing Video”) shares a brief video clip of Beau and crew in action… Continue readingRegatta Photo Tour
My Dearest Better Lifers, thanks for your patience as I get caught up after a whirlwind regatta!
As you know, I’ve had Regatta Fever and have been posting Champion Sailboat Journals, Sailing Videos Clips and more. Finally, I have sifted through more than 600 personal photographs of the race week to cull them to a far-more-manageable 59 to share with you. These pics capture the essence of an incredible week. Of course, NOTHING can convey the excitement, adrenaline, pride and sheer pleasure of being there, but I hope to give you a taste.
Just one picture of many you’ll… Continue reading
Return from Regatta & Sailing Video
Hellooooooo, Better Lifers! I’ve missed you!
Regatta was wonderful, and I’ll fill you in soon. Weather was pretty tricky – the same front that saturated Florida also doused the Bahamas. Thankfully, Mother Nature granted enough of a respite that the boats were able to race, but then she kicked in again and delayed our return by several days. Upon my return, I was greeted with a flooded downstairs in my own home. Thankfully, my visiting mother had stanched the tide. I helped with the cleanup and enjoyed the remaining days of her visit.
It’s also been hectic around here as… Continue reading
Regatta Farewell
Dearest Readers, consider this my TEMPORARY farewell. Regatta fever continues. Now my adrenalin is really racing as we are about to set sail! Literally. We are leaving on a friend’s sailboat and leisurely headed down to the Regatta. (My family is visiting and taking care of the house and Angel, and I’ll be delighted to spend more time together upon my return.)
I won’t bother taking my computer with me, and I don’t have any mobile gadgets other than a very basic cell phone. Upon leaving the States, I gave up the old Blackberry! While Bahamians also have all… Continue reading
At Home With A Champion Sailboat
Regatta fever continues! While I ready myself for the trip, I thought you might enjoy some journal excerpts from our local sailboat from earlier this year . . .
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Gently, I bob in the turquoise waters of my home in the out islands of the Bahamas. All 28 on-deck feet of my wooden hull bask in the new year’s sun, while my seven foot draw drifts on a single keel below and my 60 foot mast stands regally above. The massive canvas sheet which serves as my mainsail is drying out on land nearby. Thanks to… Continue reading
Regatta Primer
I HAVE REGATTA FEVER! And you’re going to be hearing about it, so I should give you the background scoop now . . .
All over the world, of course, regattas – or sailboat races – take place. Even within the Bahamas, various regattas occur during the year. However, in this context, “Regatta” is shorthand for the one-and-only, like-no-other, national sailing championship of the Bahamas that occurs in George Town every April and is more formerly known as the National Family Island Regatta.
Like any sport with a high profile throughout the country, sailboat racing in the Bahamas brings with… Continue reading
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