Yachting

News about yachting

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)

Friday, September 26, 2008

41st Bonaire International Sailing Regatta is October 5 through 11, 2008

The Bonaire Regatta is an annual sailing event with many races along the 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. 

Throughout the week, daily races in various categories are scheduled during the day; the races are held close to the shoreline so spectators can easily follow them.  The evenings are filled with a variety of cultural and folkloric shows and band performances.  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. International and local bands perform on stage every day of this festive week.

The complete schedule of events can be viewed by clicking here (in PDF format).  For additional information, please view the web site of the event by clicking here.  (Source:  Bonaire Regatta Web Site)

Note Update: Thanks to Bonaire Insider reader, Kathi Risenhoover, images of the Parade of Nations from the 2008 Bonaire Sailing Regatta are available on the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Woodwind Snorkel and Sailing Charters Bonaire Expands Web Site

The Woodwind, a trimaran sailing charter which offers snorkeling/sailing excursions on Bonaire with a professional guide, has recently expanded their web site to include a section for arriving cruise ship passengers.

This new area of their web site, available by clicking here, now makes it easier for those planning a port call to Bonaire to see exactly which excursions are available to them during their ship’s visit.

Additionally, there is a link to on on-line form which makes it easy and fast to request availability or make a reservation.  For additional information, or to make a reservation, visit the Woodwind web site.  (Source:  Woodwind Sailing Charters)

Monday, November 26, 2007

End of the Year Races are Slated for the December 15th Weekend

Bonaire will hold its annual End of the Year Race the weekend of December 15th and 16th, 2007. Registration for the fishing tournament is Friday the 14th from 7:00 PM until 10:00 PM.  The fishing tournament takes place early Saturday morning.  On Sunday, there will be an all-craft sailing race.

Yachts, Optimists, windsurfers and wooden boats will all race around Klein Bonaire on Sunday, December 16th, 2007 at 10:00 AM. This fun race/event is held in Kralendijk at Kas Di Regatta. Organized by Bonaire Sailing Foundation, it’s an annual, fun competition where pros and local sailors meet and compete. Children, as well, participate.  New this year will be a Stand Up Paddle Board demo (SUP). SUP is the newest watersport creating a buzz in the windsurf world. These large, floaty boards designed by Starboard will be on hand for a demonstration.

Island guests and tourists are welcome to attend and participate in the races to create an international event. There will be a festive atmosphere all weekend at Kas Di Regatta, so all are encouraged to attend.  For further information, contact Elvis Martinus at 011-599-717-2288.  (Source:  Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations)

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Outdoor Bonaire and Bowalie Sailing Trips Introduce New Excursions

Outdoor Bonaire and Bowalie Sailing Trips have teamed up to offer two new activity excursions.

Their north tour includes exploring Washington-Slagbaai National Park by 4-wheel drive truck, followed by a sail park back to Kralendijk’s marina.

The south tour provides for a unique combination of snorkeling and sailing with views of the salt mines and slave huts, followed by a guided mangrove kayak tour. Also included is a complete lunch on the beach. (Source:  Bowalie Sailing Trips)

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Bonaire Sailing Foundation Announces Schedule for Regatta Week

BSaF (Bonaire Sailing Foundation) has just announced the schedule for all activities during Regatta Week from Thursday, October 5 through Saturday, October 14, 2006.

The days will be filled with sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, micro boats, and fishing boats, all competing in several events throughout the week.  Special events abound including the Working Boat Parade, a Pia Pia 10-kilometer Walk, the Jong Bonaire Swim to Klein Bonaire, the FCB 36-kilometer Bicycle Tour. and even a parade of nations.

Nights will be filled with festivities on the Regatta Boulevard from Karel’s Beach Bar, City Café to the Wilhelmina Park, a variety of stands with food, souvenirs, games, shirts, bars, local and International live music and shows. There will be also live music groups with after midnight party at Karel’s Beach Bar, Pirate’s House, City Café. 

For additional information, click here.  (Source:  BSaF Web site)

Monday, August 21, 2006

Invitation to the 39th Bonaire International Sailing Regatta 2006

Elvis Martinus of the Bonaire Sailing Foundation announces the 39th Bonaire International Sailing Regatta will take place from October 8-14, 2006.

On behalf of the Bonaire Sailing Foundation I am proud to invite you to this year’s Bonaire International Sailing Regatta.  Information about this year’s event is available at our updated web site at www.bonaireregatta.org.  This site offers participants and visitors complete and up-to-date information on where to go and what to do on Bonaire during the regatta this year. Our site gives you a feel for everything there is to do and see while you’re here. Enjoy!

During the past 38 years we have combined spectacular sailing races with outstanding activities for participants as well as for visitors to Bonaire.

From the “Kas di Regatta” (the papiamentu words for “House of the Regatta") we organize our daily races in a wide variety of sailing classes. We have Optimist races on the sheltered waters of Kralendijk. Windsurfing is done on Lac Bay, home of the famous Bonaire Windsurfing Kids. Juniors and adults may participate in the Sunfish or Laser class or on Sailboards or Yachts. For fishermen we also have races in the traditional Fishing boat class. Except for the “Round Bonaire race” for sea-going yachts and kids windsurfing, all races will be held on the south-west side of Bonaire.

Races will be held daily in the mornings and early afternoons. Wednesday is our lay-day, which gives everyone the opportunity to go and watch the King of Kralendijk Freestyle competition, which will be held this year in front of Kas di Regatta. The breathtaking action may be watched from close-by from the shoreline.

Sailors and non-sailors meet each other daily after the races at the festival, which offers many activities and live performances on stage in downtown Kralendijk.

We invite you to participate and hope to see you on the 39th Bonaire International Sailing Regatta 2006.

Elvis Martinus
President - BSaF

(Source: Bonaire Regatta Web Site)