Forty-seven young sailors took to the waves on Montagu Bay Saturday and Sunday here in Nassau, to compete in the Royal Bank of Canada Bahamas Optimist Junior National Championships. It turned out to be a fantastic event that was watched by many boaters and those on land as well.


The competition was fierce, as well, with tight races in each of the four sailing classes: Red (ages 13-15); Blue (ages 11-12); White (ages 10 and under); and Green (non-competitive class for beginners).


Sailing is an integral part of Bahamas culture and history, having been the only means of transportation available for many years between all the islands of the country. The Bahamian sloop and sloop regattas are a regular sight on Monatgu Bay here in Nassau.


However, junior sailing has not gotten as much attention over the years as a few dedicated people here in Nassau would like. So, they decided to do something about it, and re-introduced junior sailing programs at the Royal Nassau Sailing Club, the Nassau Yacht Club, and even into several of the local high schools through the Bahamas Sailing Association.


There are too many things that alienate people from each other in any country, but sailing has proven to be one of those activities that can unite people of all races, creeds, and colors.


This event was a testament to that, as sailors competed with each other on the water then helped each other on shore. The only non-Nassau contingent to participate was from Long Island, Bahamas, and the Mack Knowles Junior Sailing Program there. Next year, the organizers hope to get the participation of junior sailors from the other Bahamas islands, such as Grand Bahama (Freeport), Abaco, Eleuthera, and Exuma.

Follow up:

It was a rousing success by all standards and deserves recognition. So too do the sponsors of the event:


Royal Bank of Canada - the lead sponsor for the second year in a row;

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
Kentucky Fried Chicken

Higgs & Johnson Law Firm
Rotary Club of East Nassau

Ministry of Sports
Kerzner International

Ministry of Education
Chilly Willy Ice

Lightbourn Trading
Panama Jack

Bahamas Wholesale Agency
Island Wholesale

Thompson Trading
Bahamas Waste Limited


Below are a few photos of the event. For more information on Junior Sailing in the Bahamas and the full results from the Optimist National Championships, please go to the website for the Bahamas Sailing Association, click here.

Junior Sailors head to the mark on Saturday at the Bahamas RBC Optimist Junior National Sailing Championships on Montagu Bay

Tyler Knowles, from the Mack Knowles Junior Sailing Club in Long Island, Bahamas

Overall National Champion for the second year in a row, Christopher Sands, right, races against second place finisher in the Blue Fleet, Daniel Decardenas

Jermone Smith, from the Bahamas Sailing Association, concentrates during the regatta on Saturday.

Blue Fleet winner and second overall, Dylan Christie, tries to control a tricky situation without tipping.

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Bianca Wagner Illing took first place in the White Fleet division in the Bahamas RBC Optimist Junior Sailing Championships over the weekend.

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism was a Silver Sponsor of the event.

Sailors took a break for lunch along Nassau's Montagu Foreshore on Saturday.

Meko Knowles, right, makes a splash, as Maverick Bowleg chases on Montagu Bay Saturday at the Bahamas RBC Optimist Junior National Sailing Championships.

Anabel Hall, one of the youngest sailors to partcipate in the event, keeps balance during Saturday's regatta

Forty seven sailors took part in Saturday's National Championship regatta in Nassau, Bahamas.

Allison Myers was one of many to help out on Saturday with the preparation and organization of the event.

Bahamas Sailing Association's Mishael Taffin on Montagu Bay on Saturday, during the 2006 Bahamas RBC Optimist Junior National Sailing Championships.




Other Articles: Norman's Cay and MacDuff's Update | Get The Bahamas Blog Updates By E-Mail | Optimist Sailors on Montagu Bay, Sept 23-24