All hands on deck for Rocquaine Regatta
It has been all hands are on deck this week as preparations for this year’s Rocquaine Regatta ramp up before the big day.
The ever-popular west coast event returns on Saturday, with events from swimming in the morning, ultimate frisbee in the afternoon to a barbecue and live music to finish.
New for this year’s event is the boat parade – a convoy of boats travelling through Rocquaine Bay with a prize for the best dressed.
‘We wanted to bring the boats that people see far offshore closer to the beach, so that everyone could get the chance to see them and make them more part of the regatta,' said Rocquaine Regatta committee president Pierre Lenfestey.
Also different this year is a new starting point of Portelet for the raft race.
However, Mr Lenfestey said this may change back to its traditional place at Fort Grey.
‘It is weather-dependent,’ he said.
‘If the wind is in the wrong direction we may be back at the Cup and Saucer. We will have lots of signs up on the day letting rafters know which way to go.
‘We do try and freshen things up with something new every year but everyone has their favourite races and competitions so we don’t try and change too much.
'And just like every year – everything is free to enter.’
The regatta continues to go from strength to strength and Mr Lenfestey, who has been involved with the event for the past 17 years, with the last few as president, wanted to thank all the volunteers involved in putting on the big day.
‘President is just a nominal title as all the committee are equally enthusiastic about the event, and they make it what it is,’ he said.
‘We now have people regularly booking their holidays on the island to make sure they are here for the regatta.’
The regatta committee is also hoping to become more digital with a launch of a new Facebook page and an online downloadable programme.
For more information on timings and events search Rocquaine Regatta 2024 on Facebook or view the programme here.
