Sands ‘Man in the Boat’ Sculling Race pulls into Abaco

Sands ‘Man in The Boat’ sculling races at Treasure Cay. PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Co.
Sands ‘Man in The Boat’ sculling races at Treasure Cay. PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Co.

[dropcap]B[/dropcap]ahamian Brewery and Beverage Co. Ltd. helped Abaconians to enjoy the 42nd Bahamian Independence celebrations in a ‘Truly Bahamian’ way with their Sands ‘Man in The Boat’ sculling races. The event took place over the holiday weekend in Treasure Cay, right after the Abaco Regatta finals.

”We love coming to Abaco each year,” stated Lynden Johnson, Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Sales Manager. “Everyone is so welcoming and the locals and tourists truly embrace what we are doing with the sculling events.”

Abaco came alive with excitement for the races that took place at the Treasure Cay public beach facility and was the third stop in the 2015 ‘Man in the Boat’ sculling season. Josh Green won the Long Island sculling race and Luda Nester won the sculling race in Exuma earlier this year.

Anticipation for the races began several days before the race when the sculling boats were taken on a float parade through the Abaco communities from Cooper’s Town to Marsh Harbour. Passersby were given some free samples from the brewery and encouraged to come out to the regatta and participate in the races.

Official registration began early morning on race day and the action began at 6 p.m. with the spectators cheering on their favorite sculler. There were six intense and exciting heats, with four scullers per heat, which also included a female race. In the end and in the final heat for the day, Steven Gardiner, from Fox Town, Abaco was crowned this year’s winner. Fernley Cox and Skeeter Rolle – both from Cooper’s Town, Abaco – took 2nd and 3rd place.

Next up is the Grand Bahama Regatta sculling races on July 18 (right at press time for the magazine), which take place at Taino Beach, Grand Bahama.