ANTIGUA & BARBUDA YACHTING & MARINE ASSOCIATION

Kids ‘Get on Board’ with Miramar Sailing for a sail around Falmouth Harbour.  Photo compliments of Miramar Sailing.

The Antigua and Barbuda Marine Association (ABMA) would like to say thanks for the enormous support it received from the community and key stakeholders on Saturday 27th October in delivering its first Annual ABMA Fun Day.

The event, which started at 2 pm, included excellent food from vendors, a main bar sponsored by A.S. Bryden (Antigua) Ltd., Carib Beer and Blue Waters, Carib Bean Coffee, a plant stall, bouncy castle, popcorn and cotton candy for the children attending.

On the water, more than 50 children and adults got the chance to experience sailing on their choice of boats from 16 feet to 40 feet. Sponsored by Antigua Yacht Club, Miramar Sailing and Ondeck, the participants enjoyed a sail around Falmouth Harbour, which for many was their first time in a sailboat of any type.

Music was provided by DJ Stiffler and Rico and the 4 Play Band and hundreds of people passed through the event during the afternoon and into the evening to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere created water side at Falmouth Harbour Marina.

More than EC $9,000 was raised through a door entry fee and exciting raffle that featured donations of products and services from the community.  The ABMA would like to thank all those who contributed:  the Catamaran Hotel, Ocean Inn, The Admiral’s Inn, MOFAB, Watermaker Services, Jane’s Yacht Services,  Philton’s Bakery, Crabhole Liquors, John Bentley, Cloggy’s, Caribbean Current, Big’s Taxi and Car Rentals, Geny’s Supermarket, Bailey’s Supermarket, Titi Rent-a-Car, Marcus Tours, Xtreme Marine Scuba Tours, Catherine’s Café, St. James’ Club, Abracadabra, Ristorante Paparazzi, Trappas, Fig Tree Studio Art Gallery, Aubrey, Ionie’s Cake Shop, the Larder, Antigua Yacht Services, Ondeck, JT’s International, Antigua Yacht Club Marina Resort, J.T’s Yacht finishes, Falmouth Harbour Marina, Observer Media Group, Nice FM, ADOMS, Marionic's Electronics, Indigo Event Services, A & A Rigging, A & F Sails, Island Tent Rentals, Antiguanice.com, Kathy Lammers, Phillip Shoul and the Sport Fishing Association, Zazi, Waste Management Services, Rico and the 4 Play Band, Usan George, Townhouse Megastore, Seagull Services, BSS Signs and Impressions and the board and members of the ABMA.

President Franklyn Braithwaite says of the event:  ‘I am really pleased with the response from both the community and those who assisted us in creating this great event.  The Yachting industry plays a vital role in the economy of Antigua and Barbuda.  All of the monies raised will go towards the continuing marketing efforts which we are working on in conjunction with the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority.  We have an excellent product but must continue to market ourselves as a premier destination to yachtsmen visiting the Caribbean each year.  New markets such as Grenada and St. Lucia as well as powerhouses such as the British Virgin Islands and St. Maarten continue to make inroads into the market and for this reason we must make sure we are promoting our yachting destination internationally.  The funds we raised at this event will assist in these efforts.’

For more information about the ABMA visit www.abma.ag.