Now Pandora is usually the type of easy-going girl that likes to cruise and take her time in the beautiful southern Caribbean islands. But every now and again who amongst us doesn’t feel a little racy…so ever the intrepid inquisitor, Pandora went to the annual Grenada Sailing Festival at the end of January to find out what it’s all about.
The Grenada Sailing Festival is a 5 day event involving 4 days of racing around the south west tip of the island between Port Louis near St Georges and True Blue Bay on the south side of the island. While Pandora’s good friend John reckons if it flies or floats you’re better off renting it, the owners of boats from as far afield as the UK, the USA and Trinidad as well as the local speed freaks seem oblivious to this and push their boats very hard, which results in spending a lot of the following week (or much longer) fixing them!
Fortunately you don’t have to be a boat owner to enjoy a regatta in the Caribbean. There’s really something for everyone in this orgy of yachtie euphoria. If you’re keen to get onboard, most boats need crew of varying skill levels and are always on the look-out for willing volunteers – the least experienced of which are classified as “rail meat”. Then there’s the partying in the evening where everyone regardless of their involvement is welcome and the rum flows faster than the bills from Budget Marine….
The 2010 event featured a record 43 boats in 6 classes (Racing, cruising, charter and multi-hull classes) and kicked off on Friday January 29th with a skippers briefing at The Victory Bar in Port Louis Marina. It soon became obvious that the skill required was not note taking but balancing prodigious quantities of Mount Gay, cases of Heineken and other free goodies in one hand while drinking with the other. The most important instruction given out was “make sure you finish the rum before the start line tomorrow!”
The first race day dawned bright and sunny, but with very fresh conditions. Pretty much everyone was prowling about near the start line about an hour before the first hooter started. Checking the wind and current, adjusting sails, synchronizing watches, and poring over the courses for their class as they were announced on the VHF. Starts are not for the faint-hearted; there’s lots of shouting at each other calling for “water” and right of way, fast tacking, quick gybing and huge chunks of money in boat shapes passing so close you can almost kiss the other crew (if that’s your thing!).Once away and round Grenada’s SW tip the fleet was assailed with gusty 25kt winds and 12ft waves, testing conditions for anyone sailing, let alone racing. After 2 races the toll was heavy on the fleet – blown sails, shattered blocks, snapped sheets and bent booms. Unfortunately one of the J24’s racing broached and sank with the crew being picked up by the rescue boat!
Plenty of post race repairs aided by the yacht services industry of Grenada to get the boats put back together for the next day’s race. And of course the day’s prize giving at the Victory Bar with many a tale of survival and sense of achievement to get through a hard first day.
The remaining 3 days followed a similar pattern, though the strong initial winds fortunately abated a little. A long Ocean Race and a Pursuit Race mixed into the program made sure the skippers were thoroughly tested in all types of races. Meanwhile in Pandora’s opinion the highlight of the event’s social entertainment was the party at True Blue Bay Resort on Monday. It was packed, with not just the competitors (now feeling more warm and fuzzy to their opposition) but it seemed like everyone from the south of the island was there, including students from the local university. There was shouting and cheering, dancing with anyone who whisked you onto the dance floor, and some of the winners generously allowing others not so fortunate to be photographed with their trophies! At the end of the night in a taxi bus on the way home Pandora even joined in a raucous sing song in French with a load of Dutchmen who had entered the event. ‘Nuff said….
There’s no doubt that getting involved in a Caribbean Sailing Regatta is an amazing exhilarating (though exhausting), experience. Racing sailboats is an undeniable rush. But what was surprising was the camaraderie between everyone. The same guy who almost rammed you at the start is the one who back on the dock will give you some sail tape to repair your sail, loan you his rope cutter to fix your jib sheet, and buy you a rum in the bar. There’s a whole lot of love that goes round even in this most competitive arena. And who can resist that…..
For a really excellent 3 minute video with photographs by Onne van der Wal click here
