By KARAN MINNIS, Guardian Lifestyles Reporter, karan@nasguard.com

It's time to make plans to travel to Exuma! The 55th National Family Island Regatta and Homecoming, the grandest in the country, will be staged Tuesday, Apr. 22 to Saturday, Apr. 26 in George Town, Exuma, and thousands of Bahamians and visitors alike are expected to descend on the island.

While it will be one of the biggest parties in the country this year, the event is the highlight of the regatta season as native sloops compete for bragging rights on the waters in Elizabeth Harbour. The competition is always fierce and the atmosphere is alive with excitement, according to regatta coordinator Danny Strachan, who said that in addition to the races there are a number of other events taking place which will ensure that there's something for everyone.

From a church service, to an arts exhibition, to the skipper's party, cultural show, beauty pageant, fashion show, Junkanoo rush-out, domino tournament, and with performances by the Exuma Police Youth Band, and the Royal Bahamas Police Force Marching Band, there is definitely something for you.

Since the first race held in April 1954, the National Family Island Regatta has grown in size and popularity. Today, although the race remains the main attraction, visitors are invited to participate in the countless onshore activities.

During the first Exuma race, about 70 Bahamian schooners, dinghies and sloops assembled in Elizabeth Harbour for the three-day racing event. Unlike the boats you see today, the first sailors in 1954 raced in the same boats they used to earn their livelihood.

These working vessels were fast, but sailors realized they would stand a better chance of winning the prize money if they had even faster boats. This competitive spirit led many sailors to enter the race with boats crafted for speed in the second year of competition.

"One of the early aims of the regatta was to help preserve the boat-building skills of Bahamians," says Strachan, "but with the prize money as an allure, Bahamian sailors are still motivated to keep up this tradition."

Today, this regatta draws top-notch racing boats from virtually every island in The Bahamas, all of which are categorized under one of five classes, A through E. This year 60 boats are expected to compete.

"The National Family Island Regatta is about competition and excellence," says Strachan. "In this race sailors are set against one another in an extreme competition that tests skill and endurance. It's just something that you have to see."

For more information call the George Town Local Government office at 336-2166.

NATIONAL FAMILY ISLAND REGATTA

How to get there

Bahamasair: $214

Tuesday, Apr. 22

Depart: Nassau, at 6: 20 a.m.

Arrive: George Town at 7:00 a.m.

or

Depart: Nassau at 6:30 p.m.

Arrive: George Town at 7:10 p.m.

Return Sunday, Apr. 27

Depart: George Town at 7:20 a.m.

Arrive: Nassau at 8:00 a.m.

or

Depart: George Town at 3:40 p.m.

Arrive: Nassau at 4:20 p.m.

WHERE TO STAY:

Grand Isle Resort and Spa — $380 per night

Club Peace and Plenty — $148 per night

RACING SCHEDULE

Tuesday, Apr. 22: National Junior Championships

9:00 a.m. - Half Hour Gun

9:29 a.m. - Warning Gun

9:30 a.m. - Starting Gun

Wednesday, Apr. 23 Class "C" Commodore Emeritus Cup Race

9:00 a.m. - Half Hour Gun

9:29 a.m. - Warning Gun

9:30 a.m. - Starting Gun

Class "B" Governor General's Cup Race

12:00 p.m. - Half Hour Gun

12:29 p.m. - Warning Gun

12:30 p.m. - Starting Gun

Class "A" Prime Minister's Cup Race

3:00 p.m. - Half Hour Gun

3:29 p.m. - Warning Gun

3:30 p.m. - Starting Gun

5:00 p.m. registration of all boats (community center)

Thursday, Apr. 24 - First series race all dinghy classes

9:00 a.m. - Half Hour Gun

9:29 a.m. - Warning Gun

9:30 a.m. - Starting Gun

First series race for class "B"

12:00 p.m. - Half Hour Gun

12:29 p.m. - Warning Gun

12:30 p.m. - Starting Gun

First series race for class "A"

3:00 p.m. - Half Hour Gun

3:29 p.m. - Warning Gun

3:30 p.m. - Starting Gun

Friday, Apr. 25 - Second series race all dinghy classes

9:00 a.m. - Half Hour Gun

9:29 a.m. - Warning Gun

9:30 a.m. - Starting Gun

Second series race for class "B"

12:00 p.m. - Half Hour Gun

12:29 p.m. - Warning Gun

12:30 p.m. - Starting Gun

Second series race for class "A"

3:00 p.m. - Half Hour Gun

3:29 p.m. - Warning Gun

3:30 p.m. - Starting Gun

Saturday, Apr. 26 - Final series all dinghy classes

9:00 a.m. - Half Hour Gun

9:29 a.m. - Warning Gun

9:30 a.m. - Starting Gun

Final series race for class "B"

Noon - half Hour Gun

12:29 p.m. - Warning Gun

12:30 p.m. - Starting Gun

Final series race for class "A"

3:00 p.m. - Half Hour Gun

3:29 p.m. - Warning Gun

3:30 p.m. - Starting Gun

EVENT SCHEDULE

Tuesday, Apr. 22

4:00 p.m. – Skipper's meeting and registration at Community Centre

8:00 p.m. - Church service/opening ceremony at Regatta Park

Wednesday Apr. 23

10:00 a.m. – Official opening of Yuma Arts Exhibition

10:30 a.m. - Yuma Art Exhibition at Magistrate's Court Bldg.

6:00 p.m. - Skipper's party at Community Centre

Thursday Apr. 24

10:00 a.m. - Yuma Art Exhibition at Magistrate's Court Bldg.

6:00 p.m.- Cultural Show at Administrator's yard (local talent)

7:30 p.m. – Miss Exuma Beauty Pageant at Community Centre

Friday, Apr. 25

10:00 a.m. - Yuma Art Exhibition at Magistrate's Court building

5:30 p.m. - Regatta fashion show at Peace & Plenty poolside

7:00 p.m. - Junkanoo rush-out in honor of Rollie Gray

9:00 p.m. - Concert at Regatta Park

Saturday, Apr. 28

10:00 a.m. - Yuma Art Exhibition at Magistrate Court building

noon – Domino tournament, pavilion at Regatta Shack

4:00 p.m. - Cultural explosion featuring Exuma Police Youth Band and the Royal Bahamas Police Force Marching Band at Regatta Park

8:30 p.m. -Closing ceremony at administrator's compound