Yachting

News about yachting

Thursday, October 20, 2011

No Landing Zone Established on Klein Bonaire for Vessels

Unfortunately, there’s been an increase of stranding of rental boats or kayaks on the eastern shore of Klein Bonaire, which is harmful to the marine environment in that area.  Accordingly, the Bonaire Insider has been informed by STINAPA that a “no landing zone” has been established to avoid further damage.

Effective immediately, it is no longer allowed to embark or disembark on Klein Bonaire with any type of vessel in the area between Ebo’s Reef (12.09.881 N 68.17.703 W) and Nearest Point (12.08.081N 68.17.372W). This measure is necessary to preserve the shallow reef of that area, the only sea grass patch on Klein Bonaire, and the only foraging area for juvenile green turtles.

In the place of this area, No Name Beach may continue to be used as a landing area for all vessels.  (Source:  STINAPA)

Wednesday, October 05, 2011

The Place to Be Was on the Beach for Jong Bonaire’s 11th Annual Swim to Klein Bonaire

Bonaire’s 44th annual Regatta Week kicked off this past Sunday with the 11th annual Swim to Klein Bonaire, hosted by Jong Bonaire. The event was well attended by both island residents and tourists, with many on hand to cheer on the participants.

Unlike last year, when a sudden wind reversal made the swim difficult, this year the weather for the event was beautiful with clear and sunny skies, but a strong easterly wind and some waves in the channel made the return trip challenging for those opting to do the whole roundtrip. 325 swimmers participated in the event. The youngest participants were age 6, and there were several of them, and the oldest participant was 72. Plenty of volunteers and rescue boats were present for those who couldn’t finish the swim or chose not to battle the wind and waves on the return part of the swim.

This year’s men’s winner was Peter Zweers with a time of 34.40, followed by Leonard Klueters finishing at 35.27, and the third place finisher was Samson Everts with a time of 37.56.  On the women’s side, Terzha Richards finished first with a time of 37.30, followed by Ryda Luz Emmer at 37.50 and in third place was Kale Feliz with a time of 39.45. The Bonaire Insider’s own Susan Davis finished near the front of the group, coming in in about 49 minutes. The last person finished the competition in 2 hours and 3 minutes.

The wind forecast for the rest of Regatta Week is excellent with winds predicted between 12 and 20 knots each day. Various Regatta events will be held daily for the rest of the week, with the races concluding on Friday. The final party is Saturday evening in Kralendijk. (Source: Bonaire Insider Reporter, images by Tim Nesselrodt and Marc Sieverding)

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

The 44th Edition of the Bonaire International Sailing Regatta and Festival Begins This Weekend

Scheduled activities will begin as early as this Friday and continue through Sunday, October 9th, 2011.  To view the schedule of events, click here.

The Bonaire Regatta is an annual sailing event with many races along the rugged coast of Bonaire and Klein Bonaire. All kinds of boats, hailing from all over the world, participate in this sailing competition. Added to this are windsurfing- and freestyle-competitions. The daily races in various categories are scheduled very close to shore in the Kralendijk Bay, so spectators can easily follow the colorful sails.

The evenings are filled with the Regatta Festival activities along the Sea Promenade, Wilhelmina Park, and on the streets of Kralendijk. Stands with a variety of local food, souvenirs, games, and handicrafts attract locals as well as visitors; they throng the normally quiet streets during this time. International and local bands perform on stage every day of this festive week.

To learn more about Bonaire’s annual Regatta, click here.  (Source:  Bonaire International Sailing Regatta & Festival)

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Valentine’s Day Specials and Events Announced

Valentine’s Day is this Monday, February 14, 2011. To celebrate the occasion, several Bonaire businesses are offering some fun specials to choose from.

For those who enjoy music, Club Roomer is presenting a Valentine’s Day concert with contemporary folk musician Jim Gilmour, entitled “Not your Daddy’s folk music.” The concert will be held at Hotel Roomer, located at 97 E.E.G. Boulevard in Belnem. Entrance is free for members and $10 for non-members. Jim has worked for many years in the music industry and has two solo releases with his band: “Flatworld” in 2010 and “Quarterline” in 2003. To listen to his most recent CD release “Flatworld” click here. Club Roomer is a charitable organization which plans events to bring Bonaire neighbors and friends together. Proceeds from the events are given back to the Bonaire community for special events and needs.

Sunset Bar & Grill has a special Valentine’s Day menu including delectable choices for everyone’s taste including a special cocktail of strawberries, Absolute vodka and chocolate brittles, fresh oysters, shrimp and crab puff pastry with a brandy bisque sauce, Peking duck breast with an orange glaze, grilled beef tenderloin with Foie Gras shavings, roasted lobster, banana leaf steamed wahoo with cilantro, chili pepper and lime, and finished off with a special Valentine’s chocolate cupcake filled with raspberries and fresh cream in a white and dark chocolate sauce. Call 788-2698 to make a reservation.

For those who would like to be on the water, Compass Bonaire is offering a Valentine sunset cruise with champagne and tapas from 4:30 until 7:00 PM. The price is $50 per person and for more information or to make a reservation, call 786-7757. (Source: Bonaire Insider Reporter)

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Woodwind Bonaire Launches New Web Site

Woodwind Bonaire, always a favorite provider of snorkel/sailing excursions, has just launched a newly renovated web site.  This new site provides detailed information about the excursions they offer to both stay-over visitors, as well as those arriving on cruise ships. 

Woodwind offers a variety of snorkel and sailing excursions throughout the week, including four- or five-hour day snorkel excursions, night snorkels, or sunset snorkels.  Dee Pedersen is a noted guide and naturalist, who is well known for her turtle sightings.  Seeing 20+ turtles in a day during nesting season is sometimes commonplace!  Even divers benefit from partaking in one of the Woodwind’s snorkel excursions, as Dee can spot many marine animals which might otherwise be overlooked.

To learn more about the Woodwind or the type of excursions it offers, click here to view their new web site.  You may also follow Woodwind on Facebook by clicking here.  (Source:  Woodwind Bonaire)

Thursday, October 07, 2010

Mid-Week Recap of 2010 Regatta Events

As noted in a previous story, this week marks the 43rd Annual Sailing Regatta.  Weather has played an important role in the events so far, in both the Swim to Klein Bonaire, as well as sailing and windsurfing competitions.

The 10th annual Swim to Klein Bonaire was held Sunday October 3, 2010, hosted by Jong Bonaire.  It’s always a popular and well attended event by participants and observers, consisting of both island residents and tourists.

Even with rain pouring down, hundreds of swimmers turned out to make the annual trek to Klein Bonaire and back, with the youngest being only three years old.  Mother Nature decided to keep the event interesting by unleashing a heavy rain squall with a strong wind reversal shortly after swimmers began, making the swim exciting with large swells and heavy headwinds. Ample rescue boats and volunteers were on hand for those who tired or wished not to battle the waves.

Bonaire’s home-grown national swimming champion, Samson Evertsz, was the first to finish at around 28 minutes. This was no surprise as, for several years, Samson has been a national champion and in 2005 was the first Bonairean swimmer to win a medal at the national level. He swims for the Bonaire Barracudas Aquatics Club. Right behind Samson was Peter Zweers, of Botika Korona.  Even this reporter turned in a respectable time, completing the round-trip swim at the front of the pack in about 42 minutes.

As for the sailing events, unfortunately, the wind forecast for the week was not good, with unusual weather conditions persisting with westerly winds and overcast skies. Races were held on Monday morning and Tuesday, but Monday afternoon’s race around Bonaire and Lac Bay routes had to be canceled due to low wind. Wednesday was lay day for the sailors, but that’s when the micro-boats, fishing boats, kayakers, and free-style windsurfers tried to make the most of what wind there was.  Events continue today through Saturday night, when the island will turn out to say good-bye to the Netherlands Antilles and welcome our new status as a part of Holland.  (Source: Bonaire Insider Reporter, images courtesy of Tim Nesselrodt, Boto Blanku Marine Services)

Friday, October 01, 2010

Bonaire’s Annual Regatta Kicks Off on Sunday, October 3rd, 2010

The island is at fever pitch with a party atmosphere, as visitors arrive to celebrate the 43rd Bonaire International Sailing Regatta, along with the Festival of 10/10/10, when Bonaire becomes a special municipality of Holland.

The week-long party will kick off this Sunday with the Jong Bonaire Swim to Klein Bonaire (see prior story by clicking here). Sunday will begin with the sailors’ registrations and the Parade of Nations on Sunday evening.  Monday the competitions begin.  To view the schedule of sporting events for this year’s regatta, click here.

And each night the party will continue into the wee hours as visitors and locals alike converge on Kralendijk to listen to live bands, snack on goodies from food stalls, or simply just hang out.  The festival schedule can be viewed by clicking here, and will run straight into the midnight count-down on October 9th, as we bid farewell to the Netherlands Antilles, and become part of Holland on October 10, 2010.

Be sure to enjoy all the festivities!  For more information, visit the Regatta web site by clicking here. (Source:  TCB-Bonaire)

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

The 42nd International Sailing Regatta of Bonaire Begins This Sunday, October 4th, 2009

The island is gearing up to celebrate the 42nd edition of the International Sailing Regatta of Bonaire. Preparations for this popular annual event are in full swing. 

The Bonaire Regatta is a sailing event with many races along the rugged coast of Bonaire and Klein Bonaire. All kinds of boats, hailing from all over the world, participate in this sailing competition. Added to this are windsurfing and freestyle competitions. Daily races in various categories are scheduled during the day; the evenings are filled with a variety of cultural and folkloric shows and band performances. The races are held close to the shore so spectators can easily follow them.

The Bonaire Regatta Festival takes place on the Boulevard and on the streets of Kralendijk. Stands with local “criollo” food, souvenirs, and handicrafts attract locals as well as visitors, as they throng the normally quiet avenues during Regatta time. International and local bands perform on stage every day of this festive week.

The week will start off with a bang with the Jong Bonaire Swim to Klein Bonaire on Sunday morning, October 4th.  Sunday night, enjoy the Parade of Nations, or even join in!  Monday the sailing begins in earnest as everyone hopes for kind winds. 

A full calendar of events is available on-line by clicking here.  (Source:  Bonaire Regatta Web Site)

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Joint Effort Removes Over 60 Automotive Tires from Bonaire’s Reefs

Recently, a joint effort between sailboat cruisers and the Bonaire National Marine Park resulted in the removal of over 60 automotive tires from the shallows along the shoreline of Kralendijk.

Chief Ranger of the Marine Park, Din Domacasse, attended a meeting in which it was agreed that three park staff members--Juan, Apo, and Polina-- and a park boat would work together with the cruisers to pick up only those tires that had no coral or sponge growth on them.

A survey of the boaters resulted in 100 percent participation among them, as over forty people were organized into teams made up of divers, swimmers, and boat workers. Toucan Diving kindly provided free air fills for the divers. At the close of January, the group worked tirelessly (pun intended!) for three hours to retrieve over sixty tires, which eventually filled a garbage bin, provided by Bonaire’s waste management company, Selibon.

This event was so successful that the cruisers have agreed to complete the cleanup of tires from the remainder of the mooring area and adjacent reef.  STINAPA Bonaire thanks all the participants who made this special cleanup a big success.  (Source:  STINAPA)

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

The Aquaspace Returns to Bonaire for Sailing Excursions

The Aquaspace has recently returned to Bonaire from Curacao, where it underwent a major renovation over the past several months.

The Aquaspace is a special sailing vessel, equipped with a below-deck observation platform, offering dry and comfortable vistas of Bonaire’s undersea life, and it offers a variety of different sailing excursions each week.  It was designed in 1978 and built in 1982 by Jacques Rougerie, a colleague of Jacques Cousteau.  After having served as a Center of Marine Biology Studies, it now offers sailing charters on Bonaire.

The below-deck viewing platform is fully air-conditioned, and 90% of the area offers a glassed-in panorama of Bonaire’s reefs.  There’s also a sun-deck and shaded areas on the main deck.  It’s trimaran construction offers stable and comfortable sailing in almost any Bonaire weather.  (Source:  Aquaspace)