Freeport, Grand Bahama - Not far from the east end of Grand Bahama, stood a once-thriving freed-slave village, known as Crabbing Bay. Now in 2011, the descendants of Crabbing Bay plan to celebrate the sailing tradition by holding a Junior Regatta on September 3^rd, 2011. T his video contains an interview with Grand Bahama Sailing Club Director, David Valentine who explains the clubs involvement in the regatta and the highlights of this exciting event

Competitors will be sailing ‘International Flying Junior’ (FJ) class sloops. The FJ is a small, light and fast double-handed, ISAF International Class, trapeze-planing dinghy, whose hull allows it to sail closer to the wind than many other models.

Organizers of the Crabbing Bay Junior Regatta and Festival include leaders in the McLean’s Town Community, the Grand Bahama Sailing Club, the Ministries of Sports and Tourism.

Other attractions such as music, food and games, will be featured as well. This event promises to be a fun time for the whole family. The Regatta site lies between Pelican Point and McLeans Town and the event will run from 9 AM though 8 PM.

The festival segment will highlight the cultural traditions of those who settled in Crabbing Bay. A people who lived off the fruits of the land and sea, planting various crops such as sugar cane, mango and cassava, as well as engaging in fishing, conching and sponging. Boatbuilding and sloop sailing was also a big part of their lives.

However, a tidal surge in the 1930’s forced the residents to migrate to McLean’s Town, and they never moved back..

For more information, please contact Renamae Symonette (rsymonette@bahamas.com), Pauline Wells (pwells@bahamas.com) or Elaine Smith (esmith@bahamas.com) via e-mail or at 350-8600.

David Valentine - Sailing Director at GBSC