Bequia Easter Regatta marks 25 years

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.

The Bequia Sailing Club is expecting a bumper turnout once again, building on last year’s record 70- plus boat fleet. The event will draw yachts from all over the Region as well as Europe and the United States. 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.{{more}}

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 modelled, 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, skilfully sailed double-enders that make the Bequia Regatta unique, creating a thrilling spectacle as they share the water with the fleet of racing yachts.

Apart from the sailing action, there will also be the traditional Lower Bay beach splash on Easter Sunday with 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 second only to Carnival in attracting visitors to St. Vincent and 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.

Bequia’s 25th Anniversary Easter Regatta in 2006 will once again be supported by generous sponsorship from the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Heineken (St. Vincent Brewery), Mount Gay Rum – the Regatta is a prestigious “Red Cap” event – and Pepsi, (Bottlers Ltd. St. Vincent) together with Mountain Top Water, Digicel, the Frangipani Hotel and Trade Winds Cruise Club.

Bequia Easter Regatta runs from Thursday, April 13 through Monday, April 17.