The Tribune

TREASURE CAY, Abaco — Bahamian Brewery and Sands beer held their ‘Man in the Boat’ sculling races for Abaco in Treasure Cay over the weekend. Bahamians from all islands came to Abaco to participate in the event, according to a press release.

The sculling races were preceded by a motorcade on Friday to stir up excitement for the next day and got Abaconians enthused for the sculling that was to come.

The sculling began Saturday morning. The first set of races were Junior Class sailing followed by E-class, and the final event was the much anticipated Abaco sculling races.

“We had a wonderful time in Treasure Cay, Abaco. We truly enjoyed the day. It was good to see locals from throughout Abaco enjoying the day, and indeed enjoying a great Bahamian event,” said Lynden Johnson, sales and marketing manager at Bahamian Brewery.

Johnson also wanted to thank the Abaco community for their assistance with the sculling races.

“Special thanks to North Abaco local district, Mr Gary Smith of the Abaco District Council and his office, including the Royal Bahamas Police Force.”

Mallory Sands of Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Co. presented the trophies to the junior winners.

“Everyone was thrilled that young Bahamians participated in the sculling races as it’s a sport that hasn’t been very prevalent in recent years. For the junior class sailing, Thomas from Nassau won first place, Bessie from Hope Town second and Jeremy and Melissa from Hope Town got third.

E-Class winners were Stafford Patterson of Abaco (first place), Keith Brown (second) and Steven Rolle (third).

Final races for the Abaco sculling were at 6pm.

Finley Cox in the Sands Boat won the Sands ‘Man in the Boat’ sculling races, Willis Lavarity was in the High Rock boat and placed second, and Wellington McIntosh in the Sands Light boat was third.

Mr Cox will be travelling to Grand Bahama later this year to participate in the Sands ‘Man in the Boat’ Championship of The Bahamas. At the championships, he will compete against other winners from various islands.

The Sands ‘Man in the Boat’ races have already taken place at the St Valentine’s Regatta, the Rock Sound Homecoming, Earth Day at Governor’s Harbour, National Family Island Regatta, Long Island Regatta, the Sands Beer E Class Regatta at Montagu, and now in Treasure Cay, Abaco.

The next Sands ‘Man in the Boat’ sculling races are set for West End, Grand Bahama, August 24.

“Many people are excited to bring back the sport of sculling that was once very popular with Bahamians,” said the release.

James ‘Jimmy’ Sands, president of Bahamian Brewery and Beverage, has been on a crusade to bring back the sport over the past year.

“We’re trying to revitalise the sport of sculling, which has been lost over the years. It’s wonderful to see this traditional crewing being enjoyed so much,” he said.