PUSSERS’ SPONSORS PARTY IN THE “FRESHWATER
CARIBBEAN”
A Caribbean Theme was on hand in Michigan
– Grand Traverse Bay, Marion
Island, to be exact – to
aid the festivities of the Latitudes
& Attitudes Cruiser Party this summer. The event began with a Pusser’s
Painkiller Rendezvous when a flotilla of boats and readers of Latitudes &
Attitudes gathered off Marion
Island for an afternoon
of sun & fun. The Saturday party began at high noon. The evening’s entertainment began
with a special guest appearance by our own Michael Beans, a regular feature at
Pusser’s Marina Cay in the BVI. Organizer Dave Dudgeon was most pleased, “I
have lived in the Great Lakes all my life. I
know the beauty and intrigue of cruising in this freshwater playground. Last
year at the Chicago Boat Show I made a decision to host a Caribbean Themed Great
Lakes Cruiser Party. As word spread, I was presented with an opportunity to
hold this event in Traverse City,
Michigan. It wasn’t a hard
decision to make. I grew up frequenting the area. The islands, the clear water,
shipwrecks, and maritime history make this as close to the Caribbean
as it gets in fresh water.”
Yes, Dave, it does – but we’re lucky enough to be here for
the real thing!
TEAM BVI WINS TWO 2nds IN VI LASER CHAMPIONSHIPS
Team BVI received two 2nds in
the recent VI Laser Championships held in St. Croix. The team is comprised of five BVI
sailors in the fleet of 24.Bob
Phillips came in 2nd against US Youth Champion Thomas Barrows from St.Thomas in the Full Rigs. He also took first Master. KATS
Sailor, Javan Cooper kept up with the best of them while in the radial Fleet,
BVI Sailor Linda Phillips received the Sportsmanship Award for giving her boat
to fellow BVI sailor, Emma Paull,
after her rig broke before the first race.
Linda didn’t want for Emma,
who is a champion sailor for the BVI and is Sailing Captain of the RBVIYC, to
miss any races.
Emma went on to win 1st in the female
division.Thank you, Linda
– way to go!Youngster Sam
Woods also did well in the regatta.
Laser Sailors in the BVI Sailing Federation have been doing some team
training with Olympian Karl James.
Congratulations to all of these fine sailors!
600 YOUTHS ARE INTRODUCED TO THE WATER BY THE BVI
WATERSPORTS CENTRE
This past summer set all types
of records for the BVI Watersports Centre which has taught more children and
visited more parts of the territory than ever before. The program included 44 sailing days,
220 nautical miles travelled and 11 islands visited. It used 17 bays and beaches as sailing,
snorkeling or kayaking destinations using the teaching fleet which are all
vessels under 17 feet.The ultimate
week was held in a new venue for the centre and its partner the Department of
Youth Affairs & Sports, Leverick
Bay, Virgin
Gorda.Approximately 600 children
were taken on the water by the center’s staff. The center is the only recognized
RYA Teaching
School in the Caribbean
– way to go Alison and Colin!
ROYAL NAVY – HMS PORTLAND – VISITS
TORTOLA
Lieutenant
Commander Andy Rayner discussed features of the HMS Portland when it made its inaugural visit to the BVI recently. Several other events were held while the ship was in port,
including a party for children from the Rainbow Children’s Home and a
tour by Brownie and Cub Scout troops. The HMS
Portland’s crew had a rounding game of rugby and football matches
with local teams at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Grounds.
Allen also paid courtesy
calls on Governor Thomas Macan, Chief Minister Orlando Smith and Acting Police
Commissioner Reynell Frazer.
HMS Portland left the United Kingdom
on March 21 to conduct a patrol of the South Atlantic.
Recent stops included Chile,
the Falkland Islands, Brazil,
South Africa,
Sierra Leone and
Gambia. The ship has a crew
of 185 and boasts some of the most modern weapon systems in the Royal Navy
fleet. Those of us living in the BVI love it when these ships come in. They are really great and the crew is so
friendly towards our citizens.
