BELLBUOY - MAY 2024

BELLBUOY

the Newsletter of The Barbados Yacht Club

J U N I O R T E A M

S A I L I N G

U N D E R C O V E R

Junior team on Undercover

Photos by The Barbados Yacht Club and Peter Marshall

Photo by Taro Singh

message From YOUR commodore

Fellow Members,

Over the last few weeks your sub-committees have been hard at work to ensure that the quality of service you receive is second to none.

These committees have made, and are continuing to make, recommendations to the Committee on actions and activities that will increase efficiencies, improve the consistency of the menu items, reduce operational costs and better capture the revenue streams and direct costs associated with each profit centre, to name a few.

During the next few weeks, we will be rolling out some changes to our operation and the way we conduct our business. Some of these changes will affect you, our members, while other changes will affect persons seeking to conduct business with the Club. Rest assured that we will inform you, our members, as soon as possible, but before the changes have been implemented, on the matters that will affect you.

We look forward to your cooperation as we listen to your concerns.

Peter Commodore Peter Thompson

SAILING REVIEW

Several regattas were sailed in the month of April and early May.

The Avril Parker Dinghy Regatta

The Avril Parker Dinghy Regatta, sponsored by the Parker Family, was sailed in the waters of Carlisle Bay over two Sundays in April. The overall results are as follows:

ILCA 4 Class

1st Savannah Stuart

2nd Jasper Hope

3rd Amabel Chase O’Pen Skiff Class

1st Nelson Hope

2nd Leila Archer

3rd Kai Duncan

ILCA 6 Class

1st Jason Tindale

2nd Jacob Binnema

The Lucky Horseshoe Offshore Regatta

The Luck Horseshoe Offshore Regatta, sponsored by Lucky Horseshoe, was sailed in Carlisle Bay and along the South Coast on Sunday, 14th April. The boats were divided into two classes, with both classes sailing the same course. The results of the Regatta are as follows:

Racer/Cruiser Class

1st Rapajam, skippered by Paul Johnson 2nd Dandelion, skippered by Geoffrey Evelyn 3rd Nana Anna, skippered by Bill Tempro

J/24 Class

1st Bunga Bunga, skippered by Charlie Gloumeau 2nd Pheonix, skippered by Greg Webster 3rd Glory Daze, skippered by Gus Reader

The Barbados Yacht Club Centenary Regatta

The Centenary Regatta kicked off on Saturday evening, May 4th, in Shot Hall Bar with a welcome to all gathered by our Commodore, Peter Thompson. This was followed by a Skipper’s Briefing and Pre-Regatta Party featuring live music by JJ Poulter, delicious nibbles prepared by the Club’s culinary team and ‘100 Rums’ courtesy of Old Brigand.

The Centenary Regatta awards

Rapajam

A few of the '100 Rums'

Photos by Taro Singh

by Anne Tindale

SAILING REVIEW

The Regatta then followed on Sunday, May 5th Sailing in breezy conditions and relatively flat seas, boats in the Racer/Cruiser Class raced along the South Coast to Oistins Bay before returning to complete their race with two triangles in Carlisle Bay

Two very special guests were also honoured at the Presentation: Mr. Errol Bignall, or ‘Biggie’ as he is affectionately known, and Mr. Frank Gonsalves. ‘Biggie’ served the Club for a grand total of 40 years, initially as Bartender and later as Head Bartender Frank served the Club for 20 years as Facilities Supervisor and, after retiring, he has continued to assist on the Race Committee Boat for all regattas

At the same time, boats in the J/24 Class were challenged by the shifty wind conditions in Carlisle Bay as they sailed three races around a windward-leeward course Special mention must be made of Undercover, skippered by 14-year-old Sam Whelan and crewed by a team of our up and coming junior sailors, who provided a serious challenge to our much more experienced skippers and their crews.

Racing was followed by the Presentation of Prizes and After-race Party in Shot Hall Bar featuring more of the Club’s culinary delights, another ‘100 Rums’ and live music by Jacob Layson

Peter Burke and Errol Bignall

Peter Burke and Frank Gonsalves

The results of the Centenary Regatta are as follows:

Racer/Cruiser Class

1st A-Salt Weapon, skippered by Jason Tindale

2nd Rapajam, skippered by Paul Johnson

3rd Nana Anna, skippered by Bill Tempro

J/24 Class

1st Bunga Bunga, skippered by Charlie Gloumeau

2nd Glory Daze, skippered by Gus Reader

3rd Undercover, skippered by Sam Whelan

Crew of A-Salt Weapon, winners of the Racer/Cruiser Class, with Commodore, Peter Thompson (left) and former Commodore, Peter Burke (centre)

Crew of Bunga Bunga, winners of the J/24 Class, with Peter Thompson and Peter Burke

by Marianna Polacka

SAILING NEWS

BarbadosSailingWeekUpdate

The 2024 edition of Barbados Sailing Week was truly spectacular. We achieved remarkable milestones, tripling the number of participating yachts (with 21 yachts signing up!), and welcomed back the J/24 onedesign boat class and the Round Barbados Race multihull class after years of hiatus None of this would have been possible without the amazing support of local boat owners, skippers, and crew members who ensured their participation.

BSW 2024 introduced a new on-land spectator experience. Approximately 500 onlookers on land had the unique opportunity to witness yacht racing up close, thanks to specially designed courses that brought the boats remarkably close to the Boardwalk area Utilizing cutting-edge drone technology, boat racing was streamed directly to spectators on land, offering the general public an immersive view of the onwater action. The spectator event was further complemented by live performances, DJs, and a vibrant cultural parade.

The Junior Dinghy Regatta featured 18 competitors and included a Green Fleet Optimist race, where the youngest optimist skippers (ages 7-10) experienced their first racing thrills and challenges close to shore and their parents

The 12-day celebration of sailing encompassed the Junior Dinghy Regatta, thrilling kitesurfing, and wing foiling events, drawing competitors from over 10 different countries and providing an unforgettable experience for all involved.

Barbados Sailing Week is organized by Barbados Cruising Club in synergetic partnership with The Barbados Yacht Club, Barbados Sailing Association, BTMI and Mt Gay. Dozens of volunteers, sailing and event experts meet regularly to progress planning and design of next year’s event Looking ahead to 2025, we are committed to making Barbados Sailing Week even bigger and better. More boats, more fun, more sun, more rum! All information for the 2025 event is available online on our website, and YachtScoring is up and running for skippers to register. The local sailing community’s support is going strong, with already 7 boats registered for Coastal Races and the Round Barbados 2025!

Here’s what we have in store:

More boats: With a target of 40 boats for this year, we are leveraging effective marketing strategies and the positive word of mouth from the 2024 edition to reach our goal We are targeting J/24 overseas boats, ARC, and Multihull Challenge boats to come and experience the Barbados sailing regatta

Enhanced spectator experience: We will continue and expand our on-land spectator experience on Saturday, January 18, 2024, and introduce a water zone spectator experience on Sunday, January 19, 2024 Every day will be filled with parties, fun, and opportunities to join racing or cruising yachts Reach out to usfor assistance to get you on the vessel of your choice, whether as a spectator or racer.

Green fleet Optimist class - Jozef Dass, Talia Sivan and Lilianna Barret participating in their first race

Battle of Champions! Joseph Whelan and Savannah Stuart battling for first place in the ILCA 4 category

SAILING NEWS

BarbadosSailingWeekUpdate

Improved logistics: We are working on arrangements for visiting yachts, such as safe access onshore, reliable moorings, and docking space. The water taxi will operate from 7 am to 10 pm throughout the event to ensure attendees can safely access the shores of Carlisle Bay.

New Bareboat class: Partnering with multiple charter companies in Martinique, we are offering cruising boats for the Bareboat Class at Barbados Sailing Week 2025. Information can be found online or reach

of CSA

Growing the J/24 class: Racing days have been moved to the weekend to accommodate more competitors without requiring time off work. We eagerly anticipate participation from Trinidadian, Grenadian, St. Lucian, and Antiguan J/24s!

Expanding the multihull class: We are actively seeking to attract more international boats. We hope to attract some international multihull boats in the 2025 edition

Cruisers welcome: Barbados Sailing Week offers a week-long celebration of sailing, parties, fun, sun, and rum Special courses and racing classes will be designed for liveaboards and cruisers to come and enjoy the festivities in Barbados!

Winner

Monohull Racing Class I, Barbadian own Whistler, beautiful J121 skippered and owned by Peter Lewis

Wave riding by Scott Colwell from Canada

Aerial maneuver by Simon Joosten Barbados kitesurfing event winner at Long Beach

Paulo Perucci Italy wingfoil racing event winner leading the pack.

Marianna Polacka, Barbados Sailing Week Regatta Director

TENNIS HIGHLIGHTS

2024 Inter-Club Champions!

by Brian Cadogan

The Barbados Yacht Club (BYC) are the winners of the 2024 Inter-Club Tennis Tournament! Having played undefeated throughout the tournament leading up to the finals on April 20th at the National Tennis Centre, the team was prepared for a tough battle against the defending champions, Tennis Centre. The team led by captains Donna Gibbs and Jason Small, rose to the occasion and were eventually declared winners 48 points to 42 following the resolution of a dispute which was settled by the Barbados Tennis Association. Donna and Jason also captured the Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards voted by the members of the team

The BYC Tennis Team would like to thank all members of the Club who came out in their numbers to cheer on the team throughout the tournament The team would also like to thank the Management Committee and the Food and Beverage Staff for their support and of course photographer Peter Marshall for capturing the special moments on camera!

Following the official presentation at the National Tennis Centre on Friday 17th May, the BYC Tennis Team held a celebration with team members this past Friday. The team would like to acknowledge the contributions of several of the players and supporters who are currently overseas and unable to attend the celebration.

Members of the 2024 Inter Club Winning Team

Jason Small receiving the MVP (Gents) Award

Captains Donna Gibbs and Jason Small received the Winners Trophy from BTA President, Dr. Raymond Forde at the National Tennis Centre

Donna Gibbs receiving the MVP (Ladies) award

Commodore Peter Thompson was on hand to celebrate with the BYC Tennis Team

A NOTE FROM FOOD AND BEVERAGE

by Simon Parravicino

Ahoy fellow members of The Barbados Yacht Club!

I trust this update finds you well. I wanted to take this opportunity to dive a little deeper into some exciting developments and future prospects regarding our food and beverage offerings.

Let’s start by noting that we are working steadily towards improving the quality and service times at the Beach Bar. Behind the scenes, our dedicated team has been fine-tuning recipes, sourcing the freshest and best-priced ingredients, and working steadily to ensure that everything served at the Yacht Club adds to your overall experience. Our goal remains unwavering: to provide high-quality products that exceed your expectations with every visit.

Now, let’s set sail to the Shot Hall Bar—an iconic spot at The Barbados Yacht Club where memories have been made by all generations of the Club. Our recent Regatta event at the Shot Hall Bar was nothing short of a triumph, with a lively atmosphere, the revitalization of the “100 rums” tradition, and laughter echoing off the walls.

It was a true celebration of our Club’s spirit, bringing together members from all walks of life to share in the joy of camaraderie and good times that Shot Hall is known for. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and this is just the beginning. The Food and Beverage Sub-committee along with the Entertainment Sub-committee are working to revitalize the area and have it open for use in the coming months for your enjoyment. Stay tuned as we chart a course toward even more memorable member events and experiences within the Shot Hall.

Before I lower the anchor on this epistle, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each and everyone of you for your unwavering support of our Club. Your invaluable feedback continues to help us improve the club. Together, we are not just members of a Club, we are a community. Whether you wish to share a suggestion or discuss your experience with our team, I welcome the feedback as we push to improve the service to our network of members.

NEW MEMBERS

APRIL 2024

Bernard Joanisse and Lynn Albert

Grant Stephen and Pamella van der Hoek

Dominic and Michelle Brooker

Annabel Cox

Ashley and Lucas Ticknor with their children Eleanor and Holden Ticknor

IN THE NEWS

Don Street Sails Over the Horizon

On May 1, Donald Street passed away at his home in Ireland surrounded by his family. He was 93. I’ve known Don for almost 50 years as he was one of those marine characters, writers and raconteurs who was always popular with readers. His articles, typed on a manual typewriter and submitted with illegible annotations and corrections in the margins, were almost always fun and interesting.

In the 1950s, he sailed his engineless Iolaire to the Caribbean and adopted the sea and the islands as his own. He spent months and years surveying the islands from Trinidad to the BVI and wrote the very first cruising guide ever published. He went on to write many more, all still classics and still used by Caribbean and North Atlantic cruisers.

From his continued surveys, he generated the Imray charts of the islands, complete with ranges and bearings for tight passages through reefs to otherwise secret anchorages. These charts are still the standard for the islands and have been digitized for use on electronic chart plotters – devices that were anathema to Don. He was a hand bearing compass, sextant and depth sounder sort of guy. A sailor to the end, he was preparing his beloved Dragon-class sloop Gypsy for the summer racing season the week before he died. Fair winds.

Article: GEORGE DAY CRUISING COMPASS / Issue #923

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE FOR 2023-2024

Commodore

Vice Commodore

Committee Members

Mr. Peter Thompson

Mr. Christopher Parravicino

Mr. Adrian Gale

Mr. Brian Cadogan

Ms. Gillian Leach

Mrs. Keithan Laurie

Mr. Satcha Kissoon

Mr. Simon Parravicino

Ms. Latisha Moore

General Manager (Ag.)

Trustees Mr. Andrew Hutchinson

Mr. C. F. Packer, MBA

Mr. Dick Stoute

Mr. Peter Marshall