2.5.11
We woke up early this morning in anticipation of the Bahamian racing which was supposed to start at 9am but, as is usual for island time, the races didn't start until around 12. No matter; we took Koa over to the beach where a few spectators had already gathered – both Bahamian and cruisers. This is a big event for this little island – they even bring people in from Nassau on the large mail boats just for the weekend!
Around 11 all the Bahamian racers were getting their little boats set up for the big races. There were about 9 boats altogether, each around 15 feet long and only about 6 feet wide with crews of 4-5 men in each. 1 to handle the sail, 2-3 to be on the rails and 1 to steer. There were two buoys that they would have to circle for a total of 3 legs of the race – one right in front of the beach and one about 2 miles out.
They started out at the farthest buoy and we could see them raise their sails and then – they were off! Their sails filled and they came racing back towards the beach.
If you have never seen Bahamian racing before, it is a sight to behold! The pictures probably won't even do it justice. This tiny little boat has the same size sail that we have on our mothership! And they don't have a heavy keel keeping them from tipping over – they use crew to balance the weight. 2-3 crewmen sit out off the boat on long boards (called rails), and they got at least 4-5 feet out of the water, just hanging in the air, with the boat heeled over and the bottom of the sail sometimes even dipping in the water! The greatest thing about these races is that the Bahamians allow one cruiser to crew with each boat and work the rails. So the cruisers get to be part of the action too! Next time, we are definitely volunteering!
We watched the first leg from the beach with some of the other spectators, then most of the cruisers took to their dinghies and headed out to be in the midst of the race. There were so many boats in the water at this point – there were boats anchored throughout the racing field and they provided obstacles for the racers, there were skiffs and powerboats that belonged to the locals, and there were at least 50 dinghies putzing about! While the skiffs and powerboats followed the racers out to the far buoy, our little dinghies fare better for short distances, so 15 of us cruisers rafted our dinghies together in the middle of the field and waited for the racers to return closer to shore. We laughed and drank beers, all the while floating along in the water tied together.
When the racers came back to the anchor field, we quickly disbanded and everyone followed them around taking pictures and cheering them on. Even Koa joined in on the action, barking at them as they raced by!
It was all so exciting and was over before we knew it. When the first boat crossed the finish line, there was cheering from the beach and the boats in the water, air horns and conch shells being blown in celebration. It was quite the excitement!!
There were three more heats in which the same boats raced, each hoping to take home the big trophy. After the final heat, everyone congregated on the beach at this little tiki hut that the people of Farmers Cay had built specifically for this annual event. There was rum punch and beer, BBQ ribs, spicy chicken and other delicious Bahamian fare. The local island band, comprised of high schoolers from various islands, even marched around the airstrip for us!
The local television station was there and some of the politicians even came from Nassau and spoke at the awards ceremony. And these awards – they are no joke! The smallest trophy stood about 1.5 feet tall and the largest trophy was at least 3 feet tall – with the year and a sailboat on top. It was a great day and we are so glad we got to be part of this exciting regatta.
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