Royal British Virgin Islands Yacht Club
Will Ashley has arrived as a new sailing instructor and coach. The club planned this fall to offer IC24 keelboat Learn to Sail sessions on Sundays out of Nanny Cay, private and group lessons in dinghy sailing, and power boating. For early October, Captain of Sailing Guy Eldridge and club members planned two days of IC24 match racing for the Pete Sheals Trophy.
Also this fall, the club’s top youth sailor, Alec Anderson, was invited to give members a presentation on his summer activities, which including a visit to Beijing as part of the Olympic Youth Camp, sponsored by the BVI Olympic Committee, the Volvo ISAF Youth Worlds in Denmark and two trips to San Francisco for a 420 Regatta and a Laser Radial Regatta.
St. Maarten Yacht Club
The club had three Family Fun Days during the quiet season in August, September and October. “There is absolutely NO structured racing! They are really happy, healthy, and lots-of-laughter days,” says Administrator Petra Guilders. “It is all about goofy family fun where parents and kids play together on/in the water, on any craft we have available.” Events include a Laser Relay Race and a Boat Tipping Competition (a favorite).
“Although we are a serious Yacht Club, we have a fun side as well!” Petra says.
Club Nautico of Fajardo, Puerto Rico
This summer saw the club sponsor the 3rd edition of its Around Culebra race with the participation of 19 local boats, divided into four classes. Winners were Nemesis (Jib & Main), Urayo (J24), Ex Mero Motu (J80) and Lazy Dog (Racing.)
The CNF has committed to the development environment alongside Organizacion legado Ambiental (OLA), a recycling program involving elementary school children of Culebra. The club’s next activity is the Bob Fisher Cup November 14-15-16. http://clubnauticodefajardo.com/
Trinidad & Tobago Sailing Association
The association’s first Off-Season race was held Sunday, September 7 under trying weather conditions. Winners were: In first place- No Name vessel- Stephen Bush and crew; second place was Jahaji Bhai- James Arrindell and crew; and in third place Generation- John Holland and crew. Prizes were handed out by Philip Williams of the Trinovative Advertising Group who distributed FW1 products and other prizes.
St. Croix Yacht Club, USVI
The St Croix Yacht Club Board of Directors voted unanimously to implement a High School Sailing Program to expand on existing programs such as Little Mariners Sailing, Learn to Sail Classes, Summer Sailing Camp, and One Design Racing. The club will provide a facility, boats and training equipment and US Sailing Certified instruction and coaching to enable public and private schools to create sailing teams.
Sailors will learn and compete interscholastically on St Croix, with opportunities to participate in, regattas, clinics, and other events at the local, inter-island, National and International levels.
Commodore Vicki Bandola said, “We are excited to be able to support the sport of sailing by supporting high school sailing programs with access to our Club resources. Sailing is a historical and cultural foundation in the Caribbean, and by bringing that skill and sport to our children, we will increase their awareness and understanding of our island environment.”
St. Thomas Yacht Club, USVI
The club was planning a Columbus Day Regatta October 11 and 12, open to all one-designs including Optimist, Laser (3 rigs) and 420’s.
“We are holding an annual memorial match race to honor Carlos Aguilar in the Charlotte Amalie harbor to be sailed in IC 24 Dec 4 – 7,” reported Manager Bill Canfield. The club has 14 male and female teams entered, including Anna Tunnicliffe (recent Olympic Gold Medal winner), Liz Baylis Ranked top 5 in the World and some of the best male skippers in the Caribbean.
Meanwhile, the club has opened online registration for its International Rolex Regatta and posted its Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions in an easy-print format on its website, www.rolexcupregatta.com.
“Simple is how we’re making it,” said event Co-Chair John Sweeney about the regatta, which, in its 36th running, is scheduled for Friday, March 27 through Sunday, March 29.
