BE Y
NEW MEMBERS
CAPS&VISORS
3-4 5 6 7-9 10-13 14 15-16 17 18-19 20-21
MESSAGE FROM YOUR COMMODORE
Fellow members,
First let me take this opportunity to offer my sincerest apologies to you for the lack of an August Bellbuoy. As you are aware this period is generally the slowest period of the year at the Club. As a result, some members of the office staff took their annual vacation leave during this period and, unfortunately, we did not prepare a Bellbuoy for August since the remaining members of staff were busy covering for their colleagues. We hope that you understand and we apologise for any inconvenience caused
I hope that you all had a great summer and that you were able to get some rest and relaxation and are now feeling very refreshed, energised and raring to complete that project, or get back to that which makes you feel fulfilled
As discussed in my July column, the member’s card that is to be issued will be used for many more activities at the Club that what presently obtains A few of those activities will now be outlined.
It is our intention to set up the system so that all of your purchases are done via your membership card.
So, whether it is purchasing food from the kitchen, drinks from the bar, merchandise from the office or booking your event, the card will be the gateway to your account activities.
Let me provide an example of the intent for the proposed system.
When the system becomes operational, in order to place an order for your food items, you will provide your card at the point of sale. This card will then be used to activate your account. Your order will then be placed in the same manner as presently obtains, that is, you indicate to the staff member the items you would like to purchase. Once the order has been entered you will receive a receipt to sign for the items ordered and your account will be automatically credited for that order. No longer will you have to verbally provide your membership number to the point of sale operator to initiate your orders This is expected to eliminate potential errors associated with orders being placed to the incorrect account.
Your membership card will also provide access to various areas around the Club to which you should have access once you are so registered for that access, for example, the gym and hopefully in the not too distant future, the storage locker areas where your boating supplies are stored.
I will now provide an update on the system thus far
We have started the procurement process for the automatic gates. These have been ordered and we are awaiting their delivery
We have looked at the options for the cards. We are close to procuring the card that will be used. We would however prefer to finalise the operating system that we are considering before we order the cards so that we are certain that the cards selected will be compatible with the system selected
We are close to confirming the operating system to be used. We are hopeful that this part of the procurement will be completed within the next few weeks.
We will keep you informed through the entire process so that you can ask any questions or provide any suggestions you may offer.
I turn now to the issue of pickle ball. There seems to be some comments related to new pickle ball courts and a suggestion that the Committee has approved the installation of two new pickle ball courts. Your Committee has not approved any new pickle ball courts. We have been considering several options, as I have made you aware, but no decisions have been made surrounding the installation of new pickle ball courts. We would need to evaluate the costs for these, the method of financing and other factors before we can make a decision of this magnitude. This does not mean that if it is a viable option, or if any member or members seek to donate new courts to the Club, we would not be happy to proceed once it does not impact negatively on the other uses of space around the Club. We will keep you informed as we progress the evaluation of this sport’s courts
We also acknowledge that it may be time to consider ourselves as racquet sportsmen and sportswomen We have also investigated paddle ball courts but these are even more expensive than pickle ball courts. Again, a proper analysis would be required for such an undertaking
We would like to offer as many sporting options to you. We acknowledge that as we age, activities such as pickle ball and paddle ball assist in keeping our bodies active and healthy. As a result, we continue to explore all options to find the most economical and viable for the Club
Finally, I must again remind parents that it is their responsibility to supervise their children while at the Club. We do not have lifeguard services nor do we have emergency medical services on the facility We have heard of several instances where children were left unsupervised much to the concern of other members. Please pay attention to the activities in which your children are engaging, ensuring that they are safe and accounted for at all times.
Peter Thompson Your Commodore
"The goal is not to sail the boat, but rather to help the boat sail herself." John Rousmaniere
John Rousmaniere writes on a wide range of topics but may be best known for his books on storms at sea, boating safety, yachting history, and sailing instruction. But what a challenging thought, from a well versed and learned sailor. This quote reminds that we, the sailors in this analogy, are merely along for the ride, providing minimal input if we go about things the correct way. We are not, any one of us, entirely in control of our lives, but rather passengers, battling ripping winds, riding the unpredictable waves, in a sometimes tumultuous sea. Our knowledge, skills and experience are merely guidelines as we steer our ‘ships’. And this analogy is relevant not only to our personal lives but the organizations in which we work and the groups to which we belong
And I come quietly back to my perception of my role, as General Manager, here at the historic Barbados Yacht Club I must bear down on my role and remember that I am here to steer the ship, over and through the challenging times, so that ‘The Club’ lives on for another 100 years
We must adapt to the changing times, rather than change with them, because we must hold fast to the intention of being the premier members-only Club on the island. To do that we must be proactive and forward thinking, engaging other like-minded people who seek to enjoy an idyllic setting to play tennis or pickleball, and languish in the shade while socializing on the beach Let’s not forget the sailors and boatmen, out for some sport fishing or a few hours off the coast with family and friends, soaking in the salt air. But how do we do it, create longevity for your endeavors? We accept the change is inevitable and adapt accordingly, in an open minded holistic way. We must think of the Club as an entity, in and of itself, and act in a way that, over time it is allowed to grow and develop. We must not think of ourselves individually when we plan and build, but rather all of the members, especially the future members, the children currently frolicking in the sand and enjoying birthday parties on the beach. What will they be looking to enjoy when they become members, and bring their spouses and children What can we do now to protect this little dream of a safe, comfortable space to live our best lives?
As the current General Manager, I must be guided by what is best for ‘The Club’ as a whole, and not individuals or groups of members. Thereby, honoring the intentions of the founding members and maintaining a ‘homeaway-from-home’ for our future members.
From the desk of Alix C. James, General Manager, Barbados Yacht Club, Written on Wednesday, September 24th, 2025.
As we start to turn the corner into the winter months, there is a wonderful sense of anticipation in the air. The Club is preparing to once again come alive with the return of seasonal members, friends, and families who make this such a vibrant community This season is always one of our busiest and most joyful times of year, and we could not be more excited to welcome everyone back.
The holidays are fast approaching, and with them comes one of our most cherished traditions, the annual Christmas Holiday lunches These gatherings have become a highlight of the season, offering a chance to share good food, laughter, and the festive spirit with those we hold dear. Equally important are the outreach initiatives that the Club hosts each year for both the elderly and the children’s home. These efforts reflect the true heart of our community spirit, caring, giving, and connecting with those who most need a little extra love at this time of year.
I am also pleased to share an update on the much-anticipated Shot Hall Bar relaunch While progress has been a little slower than we first hoped, the plans are steadily moving forward in the right direction. The vision is coming together beautifully, and with the support and creativity of the Entertainment Committee, we are planning some fantastic launch events that will bring this beloved space back to life in style. We know members have been eagerly awaiting its return, and we are confident that the Shot Hall Bar will soon reclaim its place as one of the Club’s most popular and lively gathering spots.
As always, our focus continues to be on delivering a first-class food and beverage experience. The entire department has been working hard to enhance both the quality and variety of what we offer, and we are grateful for the feedback that has guided us along the way. The positive and constructive comments from members are invaluable, they help us see what’s working, where we can improve,
and how best to ensure that each meal, snack, and drink you enjoy at the Club exceeds expectations. With every suggestion and every shared thought, we continue to learn and grow together, building a service that reflects the tastes and traditions of our community
Of course, beyond events, improvements, and new projects, the heart of the Club remains the same: it is a place where members can relax, recharge, and enjoy life together. Whether it’s a morning swim at the beach, a match on the tennis or pickleball courts, or simply a relaxed afternoon spent with friends and family, the Club offers something for everyone. It is these moments of connection and joy that remind us why we are all proud to be part of this special place
As we look ahead to the winter season, we hope you will join us often, whether to celebrate the holidays, enjoy the relaunch of the Shot Hall Bar, take part in the outreach efforts, or simply to unwind and make new memories. The Club is here for you, and we look forward to sharing a season filled with good company, wonderful experiences, and the simple pleasures that make life meaningful.
Warm regards,
Simon Parravicino Food and Beverage Sub-Committee Chairman
The Barbados Sailing Association’s Summer Sailing Camps, which ran throughout the Summer holidays, proved to be a huge success, offering students from as young as 7 years old a unique mix of learning, adventure and personal growth. The participants not only gained valuable sailing skills and confidence on the water, but also developed teamwork, responsibility and problemsolving abilities. They built new friendships and created lasting memories, whilst all the time enjoying fun-filled days both on and off the water
Following on from the success of the its Summer Camps, the Association is excited to welcome its new Head Instructor, Justin Slater, to the island to run its sail training programme. As a Royal Yachting Association (RYA) senior instructor, Justin brings a wealth of experience with him and he has certainly hit the ground running. Since he began in the second week of September he has run a session for the Association’s junior instructors and put plans in place to continue the popular Saturday sailing lessons, reintroduce the afterschool programme and begin a coaching programme for the Association’s advanced sailors, starting from the middle of September. Details about the afterschool and Saturday lessons are given in the flyer below.
The 2025 SigniaGlobe National Dinghy Championships got underway on Sunday, September 14 . Run by the Sailing Association and supported by the Yacht Club, racing took place in five different classes: ILCA 6, ILCA 4, O’Pen Skiff, Sunfish and Optimist. All taking part were treated to almost picture perfect sailing conditions: flat, blue seas, clear skies and consistent winds of 10 – 12 knots; what more could they ask for? th
A big thank you to everyone who filled out our entertainment survey! The Entertainment Committee is reviewing your feedback and working on exciting ways to make our events even better. If you have any questions or additional thoughts, please don’t hesitate to reach out by to bycentertainmentcomm@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you.
Members expressed strong interest in live music and bands, themed parties such as Halloween, and family friendly activities. Cultural nights, quiz nights, and film screenings on the beach were also popular Evenings remain the preferred time for events, though afternoons were also well supported Food and beverage feedback highlighted a desire for themed dining like BBQ nights, wine tastings, cultural cuisine, and specialty cocktails, along with requests for more gluten free and dietary friendly options Key areas for improvement included offering greater variety, enhancing communication and promotion, improving family and kids’ facilities such as the playground, and ensuring consistently high quality, engaging events.
The BYC Birthday Party had a fantastic turnout! I hope everyone who attended enjoyed the complementary rum punch and the delicious buffet.
August’s Last Friday featured Penthouse 2 0 for a lively Soca and Calypso party. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and we hope to welcome them back soon
Back to School Weekend was full of energy, with lots of kids enjoying the bouncy tent and a well attended teen party A special shout out to DJ Elmo for keeping the vibes going! It was also wonderful to see so many parents on the beach socialising and enjoying the live performance by Alex Cummins
Just a reminder about Happy Hour on Fridays. Join us from 4:30 to 5:30 PM and again from 8 to 9 PM for specials on all house pours, including our standard selection of spirits and wines. It’s the perfect way to wind down the week with friends and family.
Looking ahead, we are excited to host JJ Poulter for September’s Last Friday and our quiz night on 19th October.
For Halloween, we are planning a fun filled evening for all ages! Kids, get ready to show off your costumes with a trick-or-treat, enjoy a movie night, and teens can dance the night away in the Clubhouse, alongside our usual Last Friday entertainment on the beach.
We also want to extend our sincere thanks to all the staff who help make these events a success. Your hard work does not go unnoticed, and we truly appreciate everything you do behind the scenes
We look forward to seeing you at any upcoming events! See you at the Club!
Paul Kellman Entertainment Committee
