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Traditional Boats FInd CoMMON GROUNd              

A workshop on Traditional Workshop Regatta Management held in Carriacou on 28 and 29 November 2002 was attended by participants from Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau, Carriacou, Gouyave (Grenada) and Tobago. The workshop was sponsored by the Caribbean Programmed for Economic Competitiveness (CPEC) and the Government of Grenada as part of Grenada’s community-based Nautical Heritage Project, and was hosted by the Grenada Tourist Board.

The facilitator, Joseph Rainey, Events Manager of Antigua Sailing Week, led discussions on the current problems facing the traditional boat-building industry in the Eastern Caribbean, with a view to finding common solutions. Difficulties presently encountered include lack of volunteer help at regattas, calendar conflicts, finding adequate sponsorship and the high costs of transportation of boats and crew from one island to another to participate in overseas regattas.

At present, it was calculated that the existing fleet of traditional workboats in the region numbers fewer than one hundred, and it was feared that traditional workboat racing in the Eastern Caribbean might disappear unless more interest is shown. The high cost involved in building and repairing boats was also cited as a problem. While the more successful events like Bequia Easter Regatta and Carriacou Regatta Festival have few problems in attracting sponsors, the smaller events experience great difficulties in finding enough financial support to cover costs. Suggestions for new sources of funding were discussed. Marketing and promotion of the regattas was also seen as an important avenue for attracting sponsors. The session which generated most debate was deciding on a definition of “traditional” where the local double-ender sailing craft are concerned. It was finally decided that traditional double-enders must have a wooden hull, a curved hull shape and a sprit rig. A maximum overall length of 28 feet 6 inches was specified for both traditional and non-traditional wooden boats. Non-traditional boats will be permitted to race in any regatta as long as there are enough of them to form a separate class. Classification of boats by length was clarified and a common set of rules for all regattas throughout the region was agreed upon.

On the first day of the workshop, the suggestion was made that a Caribbean Traditional Workboat Association (CATWA) be formed. As everyone agreed on the importance of this, the second day of the workshop digressed from its original agenda to allow discussion of the feasibility if such an organization. A mission statement was approved and possible objectives for an association of this kind were formulated. Once the organization is established, it is hoped that CATWA will function similarly to the Caribbean Sailing Association as a body to oversee and manage local workboat regattas.

The participants thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and were able to share a great deal of regatta knowledge with each other. Credit and thanks must go to the Grenadian authorities for recognizing the importance of our local maritime heritage.

Traditional Boats Find Common Ground – by Elaine Ollivierre
Caribbean Compass

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