The National Family Island Regatta: The World’s Greatest Sailing Event

Every year, for 4 days solely, the very best sailors from each main island within the Bahamas converge at Elizabeth Harbour on Exuma Island for the Nationwide Household Island Regatta. Throughout these 4 days, Bahamian sailors arrive ready to sail their locally-built sloops for the a lot coveted “Finest within the Bahamas” title. The competitors is fierce and the ambiance is alive with pleasure as boating fans the world over descend on this picturesque island within the solar. For the reason that first race held in April 1954, the Nationwide Household Island Regatta has grown in dimension and recognition. Immediately, though the race stays the principle attraction, guests are invited to take part in numerous onshore actions together with trend exhibits, magnificence pageants, weightlifting competitions, volleyball tournaments, and countless events. This competition actually differs from its early days when the boats have been smaller and the individuals fewer.

It was in April 1954, when about 70 Bahamian schooners, dinghies and sloops assembled in Elizabeth Harbour for a three-day racing occasion. The primary individuals within the occasion have been excited to compete and positively enticed by the reward provided for profitable the competitors. In contrast to the boats you see as we speak competing within the occasion, the primary sailors in 1954 raced in the identical boats they used to earn their livelihood. These working vessels have been quick, however sailors realized they’d stand a greater probability of profitable the prize cash if that they had even sooner boats. This aggressive spirit led many sailors to enter the race with boats crafted for pace within the second yr of competitors. One of many early goals of the regatta was to assist protect the boat-building expertise of the Bahamians, and with the prize cash as an attract, Bahamian sailors have been motivated to maintain up this custom. Immediately, the regatta attracts top-notch racing boats from nearly each island within the Bahamas, all of that are categorized beneath one in every of 5 lessons, A by way of E. Though the race has modified, the purpose stays the identical: show your self to be the very best sailor within the Bahamas.

The Out Island Squadron Committee The early organizers have been thrilled that the occasion was so successful, however they quickly realized that if the occasion was to proceed to develop, they would wish to type a correct committee that will oversee it every year. Therefore, the Out Island Squadron was created. The committee was comprised of avid boaters from the Bahamas in addition to from the USA, and these members took on the accountability of sponsoring and planning the regatta. From 1954 to 1967, this similar committee organized what got here to be a well-known regatta annual occasion in Elizabeth Harbour, in lovely and historic George City, on unique Exuma Island.

Household Island Regatta Guidelines The success of the occasion all the time relied on the abilities and enthusiasm of the sailors and as years glided by, the standard of each the boats and their drivers improved. The Nationwide Household Island Regatta is about competitors and excellence. World-class sailors are pitted in opposition to each other in excessive competitors that exams talent and endurance. The racing guidelines dictate that the crusing vessels should be designed, constructed and sailed by a Bahamian. There are additionally strict restrictions on the constructing supplies used in an effort to hold these boats as carefully associated to their conventional origins as attainable.

Though the world of crusing has modified in some ways, the Nationwide Island Household Regatta in Elizabeth Harbour, George City is among the final locations to see crusing vessels crafted within the distinctive Bahamian custom. Standing on the shores of Elizabeth Harbour and witnessing the arrival of a conventional Bahamian schooner is a wondrous occasion to not be forgotten. Not solely is the Nationwide Island Household Regatta a fun-filled week bursting with pleasure, however it is usually a singular alternative to partake in Bahamian historical past – a historical past that each islander is happy with.

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