Jolly Harbour Yacht Club, Antigua
The Budget Marine Valentines Regatta 2010 was a huge success despite the clouds and challenging sea’s Saturday, report club members John and Heather. “We were able to have four races Saturday and two on Sunday. We would like to thank ABSAR for making sure we had a safe regatta. We had a good time at Foredeck Friday and Sunday … and a fantastic dinner at Alporto’s Saturday with music, dancing and a raffle that raised money for the JHYC youth sailing program.”
The club has a new sailing schedule for Saturday sailing with eight races per series (winter, spring, summer and autumn). The schedule works around other sailing regattas and events throughout the Caribbean. “We will also have several weekend getaways planned by JHYC and AYC but all are welcome.”
JHYC youth sailing program is going strong on Saturdays and with free lessons available to all Antiguan kids from age 8 to 18. “We also have sailing lessons available for all others and adults on Sundays for a fee of $50 EC.” www.jhycantigua.com
Hemingway International Yacht Club of Cuba
Commodore Escrich will be writing a blog and answering any questions on a new web site www.CubaSeas.com. The site has a wealth of additional information to help sailors keep abreast of the nautical activities in Cuba and to ask any question concerning this sector.
Club Nautico de Fajardo, Puerto Rico
The club’s Puerto Rico Vela Cup will be held on May 28 to 30 this year. The regatta, which inaugurated in the Yacht Club in Palmas del Mar, Humacao, returns with its new slogan “Celebrate the Wind.” This year, the club has included two additional classes, Beach Cat and Snipe, to J-24, IC-24, CSA Jib & Main, CSA Performance Cruising and CSA Spinnaker Racing, for a total of seven categories.
The event will also offer navigation courses, near the marina for spectators to enjoy the competition, according to Race Director David Kerr. International boats will be challenging the BVI’s Rushin Rowlette, winner of the Racing Cup 2009. There will be an additional attraction for participating boats: dockage will free a week before and during the event. “This strategy will attract international boats so they can enjoy our shores,” said Agustin Rodriguez, CNF Commodore.
St. Lucia Yacht Club
Lily Bergasse, administrator of the SLYC Junior Sailing Programme gave an interesting update on recent activities. The St. Lucia Yacht club Junior Dinghy Sailing Programme started its new season in the fall and the club welcomed two instructors; one, Callum McArdell from the U.K, is a fully qualified RYA instructor holding a senior instructor title at the young age of 20. The other, Benjamin Todd, is well known to most of the membership. His main job is to oversee and guide the beginners program managed by Callum and to take the youth team to several regattas with the highlight being the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in August 2010. St. Lucia has received a wild card for this event and Stephanie Lovell has been chosen to represent St. Lucia at these Games. Ben Todd, as Head Coach for the youth sailing program, went with junior sailors Stephanie Lovel and Thomas Meixner to the Cayman Islands for the Cayman Islands Olympic Games Qualifying.
Alexandra Prowse is helping the two instructors with the Optimist kids training programme. She as well is a qualified instructor volunteering her time and effort. The club’s junior membership at the moment is 40 youths ranging in age from 7-18. Rodney Bay is a beautiful sight on Saturdays with all the white sails flitting across the water.
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