During the thrilling Grand Bahama Regatta lead sponsor of the event, Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company (BBB), discovered their Grand Bahama champion and the next day crowned the first “Man in the Boat” National Sculling Champion of The Bahamas.
Competition began on Friday evening with the Lorenzo Johnson GB Sculling Races, in memory of the company’s former Assistant Brewer who passed away last year.
“As time approached for our races the winds began to pick up and the sculling was intense,” said Lynden Johnson, Marketing and Sales Manager.
“Lots of entries thought sculling would be easy, but it’s a technical sport and the stronger contestants shined.”
Winner of the GB race was Stephen Rolle with second place going to David Rolle and third place to Clayton Moxey.
GB winner Rolle was given 24 hours to regroup and prepare for the finals, held the next day at Taino Beach.
Final races were held in heats of four, with the two top finishers advancing to the next rounds, leading to the two final competitors for the championships. George Kelly called the races.
“It was a tough competition with the quality of the sculling improving with every heat. It’s wonderful to see this traditional crewing being enjoyed so much.”
Calmer seas prevailed for the finals and, just edging out his competitors, Clayton Bain from Nassau won the finals with Josh Green of Exuma taking second and Stephen Rolle of Grand Bahama taking third.
“Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Company is extremely pleased with the turnout of participants from Grand Bahama,” said Johnson.
“We started the Sands ‘Man in the Boat’ races in February of this year at the St. Valentine Regatta and then headed to the Rock Sound Homecoming, Earth Day at Governors Harbour, National Family Island Regatta, Long Island Regatta and the Sands Beer E Class Regatta at Montagu.
“And now to end our Sculling season here in Grand Bahama at the 18th Annual Grand Bahama Regatta, we couldn’t have chosen a more fitting venue.”
“Our special thanks to all who participated throughout the islands and traveled to Grand Bahama for the finals, they included: James Brown, Robert Hall, Roderick Pinder, Josh Green, Stephen Rolle – with special congratulations to Mr. Clayton Bain, The Sands Man in The Boat Sculling Champion of The Bahamas,” said Johnson.
