St Vincent & The Grenadines’ regatta draws yachts from as far away as Europe
Popular Bequia Easter Regatta celebrates its 25th anniversary April 13-17, 2006
St Vincent & The Grenadines – Easter 2006 will see the 25th anniversary of the Bequia Easter Regatta, and the dedicated all-volunteer Committee of the Bequia Sailing Club is hard at work with preparations for this milestone event. Scheduled for April 13-17, 2006, the club is expecting a bumper turnout once again, building on last year’s record 70-plus boat fleet.
The Bequia Easter Regatta will draw yachts from all over St Vincent & The Grenadines and the Caribbean region, as well as Europe and the US. The regatta’s new J24 class continues to grow, and this year should provide the largest-ever gathering of this class in the southern Caribbean.
Racing in the local fleet for the first time in many years will be Iron Duke, the newly restored 130-year-old Bequia whaleboat. Iron Duke was one of the very first whaleboats on the island, brought from New England by whaling legend "Old Bill" Wallace in the late 19th century. It was on her sleek lines that all future Bequia whaleboats were based, and as such she forms a unique link to Bequia’s whaling and boatbuilding heritage.
In addition to Bequia’s own "two-bow" fleet, boats are expected from throughout the Grenadines, Tobago and possibly as far afield as Anguilla to compete in the local boat races. For many it is undoubtedly these colourful, skillfully sailed double-enders that make the Bequia Easter Regatta unique, creating a thrilling spectacle as they share the water with the fleet of racing yachts.
Apart from the sailing action, festivities include the traditional Lower Bay beach splash on Easter Sunday with a sandcastle competition and Crazy Craft Race, plus numerous shore activities for all ages under the almond tree in Port Elizabeth on Easter Monday.
Bequia’s Easter Regatta is by far the single biggest event on the island’s calendar, and is probably second only to Carnival in attracting overseas visitors to St Vincent & The Grenadines. Each year visitors come from all over the world to celebrate Bequia’s age-old tradition of seamanship and to enjoy some of Bequia’s famous hospitality.
For further information contact the Bequia Sailing Club’s secretary, Nicola Redway, at tel (784) 457-3649 or e-mail bsc@caribsurf.com.
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