fp Turks and Caicos

An event that originally started as a fund raising multi-hull sailing race from Sapodilla Bay to Pine Cay, took a drink and raced back to Sapodilla Bay, the Fools Regatta have since attracted young and old people to a greater appreciation of the sloop history and contemporary fun activities at the beach. The very first regatta was held on April 1st (April Fool’s Day), 1990.

In keeping with tradition, the regatta featured locally built sloops as well as a Big Boat Race Competition, Home Made Raft Race, Tug of War, local music and food.

Additional features to the annual event also included Provo Primary School’s Steel Band which delighted the crowd with their unique form of music, the firefighters’ red raft with pressurized water hose sprinkling water over some of the spectators along the beach which the children particularly enjoyed and the US Coast Guard’s Rescue Demonstration which amused all eyewitnesses. According to this year’s event organizers, proceeds of the funds raised will go towards a new National Sailing Centre to be built at the Bight in Providenciales. Winners in this year’s contests were as follows:

Turks & Caicos sloops: Messenger owned by Elbert Higgs from North Caicos Big Boat Race – Multi-hull Division: Minx owned by Mike Robertson Big Boat Race – Mono-hull Division: Drascombe sailed by Mark Parrish Big Boat Race – Beach Cat Division: Club Med’s Hobie Max Team The Great Raft Race Under 15 Category: Provo Primary Flame n’ Go The Great Raft Race Over 15 Category: Paddy’s of the Caribbean, Rotary International Limited

Best Design: Crash and Burn by the TCI Firefighters Volunteers Team

Best Spirit: Desperate Johnston’s Housewives

Lockland Trading Annual Trophy (Child Captain, Adult Crew): Erik Douglas and David Douglas (son and father)

Simon Woods Architects Annual Trophy (Adult Captain, Child Crew): Kevin O’Sullivan and Padraig O’Sullivan (father and son)

Governor’s Cup Annual Trophy (Adult, Child): Mike Rosati & passenger (trophy was donated by Lee & Astwood Architects)

The event has always attracted regional attention, and participants and spectators come from far and wide.