The free, ever-popular family beach party is back on Saturday 18 July. Launching at 9am with its traditional bay swim, the classic favourites will start at 11am. Islanders and visitors can expect to find raft and swimming races, crab pot pulling, sandcastle competitions, junior sand races, wife carrying, husband dragging, and the legendary greasy pole.
As well as the popular boat parade, it brings back paddleboard jousting, which made a splash at its debut last year, and welcomes a Mini Family Festival run by the Vale Earth Fair from 12pm in the field opposite Fort Grey.
Rocquaine Regatta president Pierre Lenfestey, said the committee has once again worked all year to ensure another fantastic day out west – one that promises to satisfy even the most seasoned regatta revellers.
‘The weird thing is that people really like things to be the same,’ he said.
‘We’ve definitely got a Rocquaine Regatta vibe that we must uphold. So we like to keep all the traditional things, and add things that align with the traditional feel.’
The VEF Mini Family Festival is set to offer a relaxing, family-friendly afternoon with music and a bar, leading into the regatta’s evening BBQ from 6pm.
After three years in his role, Mr Lenfestey said he continued to be humbled by the community’s enthusiasm and contribution to the free event.
‘It serves no purpose really, other than fun,’ he said.
‘It’s one of the only events I’m aware of that has no other agenda. And I think that’s why it remains a firm favourite among islanders.
‘It’s very Guernsey, set on the beach with basically its own beautiful, natural arena – and it’s free. There’s not really any money involved, we’re literally only doing it for people to have a good time. And the feeling I get from the amount of people willing to help is incredible.
‘Bruno and the team at Channel Seaways saved this year’s regatta by providing a shipping container to protect our gear from winter storms. And a massive thank you also goes to Dan at Island Scaffolding for setting up a dedicated bike park in the field opposite Fort Grey.’
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