The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE waters off West End, Grand Bahama, will be a buzz with high-speed boat racing in April with the launch of the inaugural West End International.

The event, set for April 22-23, is organised by the International Boat Racing Association, and 20 to 28 racers from the US and Canada are expected to compete in West End.

Sergio Nativi, president of the IBRA, told The Tribune that the event could be an annual one for West End on the racing circuit.

“This will be the third race of the circuit for us, and so West End would become an annual stop for IBRA,” he said. “Hopefully, we can grow to where we have even 50 to 60 boats coming to a race, and our goal is to grow to that point so we can boost your tourism and create benefit for the community.”

The high-speed boat races will take place from 9.30am to 4.30pm on Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23. A kick-off party is Friday night on April 21, at the Old Bahama Bay Resort and Yacht Harbour.

There will be hydroplanes, Jersey skiffs and power boats hurtling up to 170 mph speeds in the high-paced, high-energy events.

In addition to the races, the event will feature food, drinks, music, vendors, shopping and activities for the whole family.

Mr Nativi said that the waters off West End is the perfect place for boat racing to occur.

“Some of the boats are going very fast, and we are going to have three different classes. We are expecting a total of 18 boats, but it could be up to 28 boats depending on how many racers can get there in time,” he said.

The IBRA was started racing in Stuart, Florida, in 2012. They hold a number of boat races every year all over the US, and as far north as Canada.

Some of the best racing teams are expected to compete in the circuit at West End, including the EMS (Environmental Manufacturing Solutions) team, which has three boats competing – one driven by Brandon Kennedy, the second by his wife, Karson Kennedy, and the third by Paul Barber.

The Steelers team, with Bert Henderson, is also expected to compete. “Bert is a long-time favourite and well respected in the sport and we will live stream the event so that everybody back home can see him and at the same time provide some exposure to West End to people that may never heard of the area. And these racers come from everywhere and they bring their crew and families with them,” said Mr Nativi.

Mr Nativi said that they invited representatives of the Ministry of Tourism and the sport commission in the Bahamas to one of their races last year.

“They were impressed with the crowds and they were able to see what the crowds were getting, the economic benefits, as well as the entertainment it provided for the town,” he said.

Betty Bethel, director of the Ministry of Tourism in Grand Bahama, is very pleased about the event coming to Grand Bahama.

“We’re very excited to host the first ever West End International. The event promises fun and excitement for our residents and visitors alike, and we are very excited to host them at the beautiful Old Bahama Bay and the surrounding resorts on West End,” she said.

General admission to the races is free. VIP tickets for the races are $60, and the Friday night VIP kick-off party is $75. Tickets are available now at WestEndBoatRaces.com.

The West End International is sponsored by the Bahamas government, Old Bahama Bay Resort and Yacht Harbour, Island Coastal Charters and Environmental Manufacturing Solutions.