5th Annual West End Junior Sailing Regatta & Festival

On Saturday, April 29th , the 5th Annual West End Junior Sailing Regatta & Festival took place in the fishing capital of Grand Bahama Island with over 20 racers from the ages of 7-15.

Despite strong wind conditions, the racers succeeded in completing a total of three races around a triangular course.

Keith Cooper, Director, West End Jr. Sailing Regatta, said that "We had a great time out on the water, along with the race committee members helping the kids out, guiding them, watching them put on a spectacular performance today. [The kids] guided their sailboats, both the FJ's and the Opti boats, in what we thought were challenging winds, but the kids handled it like real pros".

For five years, children have travelled to West Grand Bahama to compete in one of the only kids regattas in the northern Bahamas.

Racers and their families visited from Abaco and New Providence to compete.

Elaine Smith, Coodinator, Product Development, MOT, GBI, noted that  "As a proud partner with the West End Community, and the countless sponsors of this year’s event, the Ministry of Tourism is excited about what has become a signature calendar event for authentic Bahamian cultural experiences on Grand Bahama Island".

With this being the first cultural event to be held in West End for the year, Smith went on to say that "We are pleased at the level of excitement that has been displayed by the participants, vendors, transportation providers and attendees".

For many, the West End Junior Sailing Regatta & Festival brought a wave of excitement and economic opportunity to the fishing village through a dynamic sailing competition that remains an annual event for the West.

Brenda Colebrooke, Deputy Administrator, Western District, said that "I am indeed pleased to be here to encourage the organizers and more so to encourage the sponsors because this event caters to the future of our country".

The winners of the West End Jr. Sailing Regatta & Festival were Reese Brown, Freeport, Grand Bahama (Green Fleet); Jaheim Russell, West End (Optimus Championship Fleet)and Tye Moss and Kai Napier , Freeport (Flying Juniors).

Elaine Smith, Coordinator,Product Development, MOT, GBI, Canon Curtis Robinson, St. Magdelene Church,  Daphne Mckinny, BTC, Reese Brown , First Place, Green Fleet, Keith Cooper, Director, West End Jr. Sailing Regatta,Brenda Colebrooke, Deputy Administrator, Western District, Nuvolari Chootosingh, Manager, Sports Tourism, MOT, GBI, Linda Cooper, Director, West End Jr. Sailing Regatta.

Elaine Smith, Coordinator,Product Development, MOT, GBI, Canon Curtis Robinson, St. Magdelene Church, Tye Moss & Kai Napier, First Place, Flying Juniors, Daphne Mckinny, BTC, Keith Cooper, Director, West End Jr. Sailing Regatta,Brenda Colebrooke, Deputy Administrator, Western District, Nuvolari Chootosingh, Manager, Sports Tourism, MOT, GBI, Linda Cooper, Director, West End Jr. Sailing Regatta.

Elaine Smith, Coordinator,Product Development, MOT, GBI, Canon Curtis Robinson, St. Magdelene Church,  Daphne Mckinny, BTC, Keith Cooper, Director, West End Jr. Sailing Regatta, Jaheim Russell, First Place, Optimus Championship Fleet, Brenda Colebrooke, Deputy Administrator, Western District, Nuvolari Chootosingh, Manager, Sports Tourism, MOT, GBI, Linda Cooper, Director, West End Jr. Sailing Regatta. 

The West End Jr. Sailing Regatta would not have been made possible without Keith and Linda Cooper, and the following sponsors: the Ministry of Tourism, the Grand Bahama Sailing Club, BTC, Ministry for Grand Bahama, Ministry of Finance, Bahamas Customs, GB Port Authority, Jamaican Delite, Sawyers Fresh Market, BWA, Teasers Restaurant, Old Bahama Bay, Blue Marlin Cove, Western Air, West End Township, Local Government, Coca Cola, Waugh Construction, Focal, Nandana, 40 Ocean,  Save the Bays, and Bradford Marine .