ANTIGUA SAILING WEEK

Photo Credit: Ted Martin/ASW

It was all about the beach as Antigua Sailing week action moved to the glorious Dickenson Bay, for the end of sailing week beach bash, sponsored by APUA INET. Live performances throughout the afternoon and evening incuded the LCD band, Claudette CP Peters and the Onyan Effek.
 
The action started at 2pm at Tony's bar and spread along the beach with vendors, fun and games, more DJ's and live music sponsored by English Harbour Rum at Ana's and continued on down to Coconut Grove. The organisers are delighted with the resurgence of the Dickenson Bay bash: "After the success of last year's event, we knew that the patrons really enjoy this experience and it is an opportunity for all of us  to celebrate our Antiguan culture though food, and music. Our sponsors really embraced this event bringing their own blend of fun and activities. It's a wonderful way to bring the curtain town on a tremendous week of racing , partying and forging relationships on sea and on land. "

Photocredit: Ted Martin / ASW

The day before was Dockyard Day and the winners of the Harper's School Art Competition received their prizes after receiving a tour on Sojana, the 2018 Lord Nelson's Trophy Winner.
 
Sir Peter Harrison, owner of Sojana was delighted to meet the young artists: "I have been participating in this regatta for many years and it was a pleasure to meet them and I wish them every success in their future".
 
Yuri Christian, Harper's sales and marketing officer encouraged the young artists to continue creating: " We are very proud to sponsor this year's School Art Competition. We congratulate the students, parents and teachers for embracing the theme and creating such amazing pieces of work."

Winning entry by Renesha Gordon

Renesha Gordon of Christ the King won overall as the judges felt that her picture captured the plight of marine life as they try to navigate through plastic infested oceans. Her picture will be used as the welcome signboard at Cobb's Cross for Antigua Sailing Week 2019. All the winners received  a host of prizes donated by  local business places and included the following: gifts and cash from  Antigua Sailing Week partners Sailors for the Sea and Maurice Underwater Services. As well as tickets for the following attractions: Antigua Rainforest Zipline; Stingray City and  Xtreme Tours. Plus the following prizes from: GoldSmitty  Big Banana cash prize; SunSeekers; Swim tops; a digital camera from All Tech Accessories; Gift Certificate from Cindy’s Bookstore and Gift Certificates from Townhouse Megastore.
 
Rana Lewis, Antigua Sailing Week (ASW) event and marketing manager, thanked the sponsors, judges and companies for their donations, gifts and support: "The support this competition receives shows just how important it is for us to engage youths creatively. This year's prize packages including the tour of Sojana tells us that the competition will get bigger and better as we stride into our next 50 years."

Photo credit: Ted Martin/ASW

After the prize giving the highly anticipated Dockyard Day activities went into full swing with the usual high jinks including:  tug of war challenges hot dog eating contest, as well as walking  the greasy pole. There were also  cultural presentations and the beating of the retreat by the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda.

Registration for 2019 has already begun April 27 - May 3, 2019.