Canouan Regatta 2009

05.JUNE.09

Photos and story

by Don DeRiggs

With a record number of sailing boats participating this year, the Canouan Regatta sailed off in fine style with a series of activities during the Whitsuntide weekend. This year a record of 26 boats took part compared with 21 last year.{{more}}

Overall winners in Class 2 (Smallest boats) was “Bad Feelings” from Mayreau while in Class 6 (Largest boats) ‘Bequia Pride” made all Bequians feel proud of their achievement.

Saturday, May 30 was the first day of racing and while the boats were at sea, there was a kiddies fair with bouncing castle and other attractions. Later that evening, the more mature persons gathered at the fisheries complex for a ‘wet fete’ and wet is was. Local DJ and morning radio host, “2 Kool Chris” entertained all patrons with a variety of music.

Sunday, May 31 began with sail boat racing in all classes and on shore activities including a DJ competition. On that day there were three excursions to Canouan, two bringing party type visitors from Bequia and St. Vincent, while the other brought spiritual Baptists who held a public service at the Canouan vegetable market. Later that evening a “Glow” party was held at the Canouan hard court where DJ “2 Kool” again swayed the partying patrons.

On Whit Monday, the final day of racing began with a shower of rain, but this did not dampen the spirit of the sail boat racers and the two boat loads of excursionists who came from St. Vincent. The “MV Jaden T” brought visitors from North Leeward, Barrouallie and Kingstown, while the Barracouda brought mainly Anglicans from the Western side of St. Vincent. Canouan was a hive of activity with food and beverage vendors plying their trade while the latest Vincy music for this year’s Vincy Mas pounded through the loud speakers to the delight of gyrating revelers. There were no reported incidents of violence as “2 Kool” and other DJ’s ever so often called on patrons to have violent free fun.