Scarborough, Tobago – Billed as the ‘friendliest regatta’ in the Caribbean, boaters, sailing enthusiasts and sport-lovers from around the world are heading to the island of Tobago in preparation for the destination’s annual Carnival Regatta. Also considered the most radical regatta in the region, the event, dubbed A Festival of Wind, will feature the aerial dynamics of international, regional and local kite boarders and wind surfers as well as Optimist and Bum Boat sailors participating in the three-day event. Now in its third year, Tobago’s Carnival Regatta will take center stage February 18 –20, 2011.
More than just a run-of-the-mill sailing event, the multi-faceted regatta features international participants from Germany, Sweden, France, England, Holland, South Africa, USA and Canada. In addition, regional counterparts from Barbados, St. Lucia, Bequia, the Grenadines and Tobago will also make an appearance during Bum Boat (small boats that are used to ferry supplies and commodities for sale to a larger ship at anchor) and Optimist (small, single-handed sailing dinghy originally intended for use by children up to the age of 15) races as well as the smaller and faster J 24, Melges and 420 boat racing.
While the main activity is racing, the event also provides both participants and spectators with a fun-in-the-sun atmosphere that includes after-race games, a beach bonfire, pig-in-a-pit cookout and fetes on Friday and Saturday nights. Fueled by island-inspired cocktails and heckled by the on-lookers, these landlubber activities will prove that even the most novice sailors can win a prize. With superior sailing conditions and a friendly island vibe, Tobago is the place to be for the most spirited sailing challenge in the Caribbean.
Co-sponsored by Tobago Regattas Limited, The Tobago House of Assembly, the Tourism Development Company and the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago, the Tobago regatta is designed to be one of the major sporting events of the year. For details on registration information and event schedules for Carnival Regatta 2011, visit www.sailweek.com.
