The Tribune

WHEN it comes to individual sponsorship of regattas in the country, Danny Strachan said there’s no individual or charity that has done more than Sir Durward “Sea Wolf” Knowles.

Strachan, who serves as the commodore of the National Family Island Regatta, says on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the regatta and the 40th anniversary of Bahamas Independence, the committee wishes, again, to acknowledge the continuing existence of a Bahamian sailing icon in the regatta mix.

Strachan particularly expressed special appreciation to Knowles for his generous financial contributions to the running of the regatta over six decades.

Strachan said that over the years, Knowles - the Bahamas’ first Olympic gold medallist - has donated millions of dollars both to assist in the promotion of sporting activities and in other areas of social activities in the Bahamas.

“However, Sir Durward Knowles has been especially outstanding in his interest in and donations to the sport of sailing in the Bahamas and his many contributions have gone not only to assist in the provision of prizes for sailing champions, but also in the encouragement of younger Bahamians to learn and to compete in this national sport,” Strachan said.

Over the years, Knowles has been known personally to finance the building of boats for the use of regatta competitors and in fact, he financed the construction of an E-class craft specifically for the training of young Bahamians who are expected to become future skippers.

The commodore said that whilst there are many persons and institutions, both local and international, whose generous financial contributions have on a continuous basis kept the national family island regatta, the various other regattas, and other social outreach programmes afloat, special thanks are due to Knowles, who has never hesitated to come forward and express his support by donating to the various activities.

The commodore expressed the belief that over time Knowles has personally been the most generous and outstanding philanthropist of all individuals, locally and internationally, in the Bahamas.

“While it may be true that Sir Durward, back in 1964, became the first Bahamian to capture an Olympic gold medal, that he has been an outstanding, world renowned sailing champion, and that he continues even at his advanced age to inspire and motivate thousands of Bahamians, to my mind Sir Durward’s greatest and most attractive feature is that he is personally a man of integrity, and of caring,” Strachan said.

“In this year of the Bahamas’ celebration of the 40th anniversary of independence, and when we in the National Family Island Regatta Committee have executed elaborate plans in celebration of 60 years of spectacular sloop racing, it is most fitting that in what is still the centre of these celebrations should be a beloved Bahamian patriarch as Sir Durward Knowles. Once again we hail and celebrate him, and we pray that Almighty God will spare him to join with us as the sails are hoisted for the running of the next national family.”