64th National Family Island Regatta
Updated: 22 April 2017
National Family Island Regatta
Tuesday, April 25 2017 - Saturday, April 29, 2015
There will be five days of sailing featuring Bahamian native sloops – Classes A, B, C, D, and E. This tradition started in 1954 and today it is one of the oldest regattas in The Islands of The Bahamas. Venue is beautiful Elizabeth Harbour in George Town.
Contacts: Mr. Danny Strachan / (242) 336-3766 or Mr. Ken “Iceman” McPhee / (242) 524-0865
Bahamas Tourism Office Website: National Family Island Regatta.
Continuing a tradition started in 1952, there will be five days of sailing races involving traditional Bahamian vessels.
The rivalry is intense and the sailing tactics are "bold" to the point of eye popping. The speed and energy is intoxicating.
The festivities will be centered around Regatta Park in George Town.
The National Family Island Regatta has come to serve as a homecoming festival for natives of Exuma who now live and / or work in other parts of the Bahamas.
Contact: Ken "Iceman" McPhee; Chairman of the Local Regatta Committee in George Town; 242-524-0865
Note:
For several interesting articles about the Bahamian Regattas, Check out this series of articles written and photographed by fellow sailor & cruiser Jan Pehrson for Southwinds Magazine : Bahamian Racing Regattas
Buzzy Rolle's New Racing Sloop
Touch Me Not Moving to Kidd Cove
2017 Family Island Regatta Event Schedule
Onshore Activities
Tuesday, 25 April 2017
Arrival of Sloops & Boaters
1700 Skippers' Meeting & Boat Registration
1930 Church Service; Regatta Park
Wednesday, 26 April 2017
1000 Yuma Arts Opening; Magistrate's Court
1730 Float Parade; George Town
1800 Skippers' Party; Community Center
Thursday, 27 April 2017
1930 Fashion Show; Regatta Site
2030 Live Band: Da Down Home Band; Regatta Park
Friday, 28 April 2017
1800 Sculling Competition; Government Dock
1900 Cultural Show; Regatta Site
2100 Live Band; Regatta Park
Saturday, 29 April 2017
1500 - 1600 Cultural Competition; Regatta Site
2000 Closing Ceremony; Administrators Complex
2200 Live Band: Regatta Park
Bahamian Sloop Racing
Race Procedures
All races follow this standard format:
Half-Hour Gun: On the hour (0900, 1200, 1500)
Warning Gun: 29 Minutes past the hour (0929, 1229, 1529)
On the half-hour: (0930, 1230, 1530)
Tuesday, 25 April 2017
Arrival of Sloops & Boaters
1700 Skippers' Meeting & Boat Registration
Wednesday, 26 April 2017
0900 Commodore Emeritus Cup
1200 Class B Governor General's Cup Race
1500 Class A; Prime Minister's Cup Race
1700 Registration of all Boats
1800 Skippers' Party
Thursday, 27 April 2017
0900 Classes C, D &E; First Series Race
1200 Class B; First Series Race
1500 Class A; First Series Race
Friday, 28 April 2017
0900 Classes C, D &E; Second Series Race
1200 Class B; Second Series Race
1500 Class A; Second Series Race
1700 Sands Beer Sculling Race; Government Dock
Saturday, 29 April 2017
0900 Classes C, D &E; Final Series Race
1200 Class B; Final Series Race
1500 Class A; Final Series Race