Regatta 2025: Tida Wave & The National Sailing Championship
The 69th National Family Island Regatta | April 22–26, 2025 | George Town, Great Exuma, Bahamas
The sails were full, the tension was real, and the legacy lives on — Staniel Cay’s beloved A-Class sloop gave it their best to secure 2nd Place at this year’s championship Regatta.
Let’s Regatta!
Every April, a wave of excitement sweeps across the Bahamas as boats, crews and whole communities converge on George Town, Exuma for the National Family Island Regatta. It’s more than a race—it’s a celebration of heritage, craftsmanship and Bahamian pride. This is the national championship for the Bahamas’ national sport, and it’s A BIG DEAL—showcasing the best of Bahamian sailing: traditional wooden sloops with towering masts and crews who scramble onto pry boards, acting as human ballast. There’s nothing else like it in the world.
Thousands of people flew in, hundreds of boats packed Elizabeth Harbour, and heated bets over Regatta favorites buzzed through the crowd. Staniel Cay showed up strong—and I had a front-row seat to the majesty, the mayhem and everything in between.
Before the first sail was raised, the Staniel Cay crew had already poured heart and muscle into getting Tida Wave race-ready—from crane lifts to paint touch-ups to a pre-dawn tow to George Town. If you missed how it all came together, you can catch the behind-the-scenes story in our Regatta Primer blog post.
Did you know? Tida Wave boasts more national championships than any other A-Class boat in Bahamian history.
Day 1: The Torn Sail Heard 'Round The Bahamas
Day One of Regatta was epic. I was in the chase boat with the Tida Wave sailors for a wet, salty, adrenalin-soaked ride on a windy Regatta kickoff. Tida Wave had drawn Position #1, thanks to the lottery at the Skippers’ meeting the night before. Unique to this Regatta, boats begin from an anchored start line—making for an exhilarating and unpredictable launch.
The Race Committee fired the gun, and the thrilling start ensued—whitecaps everywhere, sea spray in my face, and sailors shouting over the gusts as they pulled anchor and hoisted sails. Silent Partner (formerly Red Stripe) from neighboring Black Point surged ahead, with Tida Wave holding strong in second.
But it was the final leg where things got wild. Long Island's Legend came up under Tida Wave—almost sinking themselves—and in the tangle, Legend’s pry boards sliced a massive hole in Tida Wave’s mainsail!
Most boats would’ve dropped sail and exited the race right then.
Not Tida Wave.
Not our hometown crew.
Fueled by pure grit, determination and resilience, they kept sailing. To everyone’s astonishment, Tida Wave held her position and maintained speed—even as the wind escaped through the gaping hole in the sail. Two sailors gripped the shredded canvas against the boom, essentially creating a new sail on the fly. And Tida Wave kept going, sailing full-out!
In the final moments of the race, another boat edged past—but Tida Wave crossed the finish line with a gutsy, hard-fought 3rd place finish. The crowd on land and sea went nuts. Commentators were in awe. It was an instant Regatta legend—the moment everyone talked about all week, and still do.
I asked Tida Wave’s Captain later, “What did you think when the sail ripped?!”
His reply?
“I didn’t see the tear at first—my eyes were on Legend, right up next to us. I was concerned they were going under. Then I saw our sail. But there was never any question. Nobody on the boat said we should stop. We were gonna cross that finish line.”
The Series Race – Trials, Tactics and Tenacity
That first day’s race was the Prime Minister's Cup, a stand-alone race. Next came the three-day series race, with points awarded each day—all for the national championship!
Despite the torn sail drama of the day before, Tida Wave sailors were in great spirits and ready to come back swinging. Overnight brought strategy sessions and some serious coordination to get a replacement sail in place.
Did you know? Tida Wave is 28 feet long with a 60-foot mast and a 36-foot boom—massive sail power balanced by crew perched on wooden “prys” as human counterweights.
The winds stayed fierce—punishing at times—and equipment issues followed several boats, not just ours. Boats broke masts, snapped booms, tore sails. A few even sank (they were recovered). It’s beautiful, yes—but also dangerous. A broken mast can seriously injure crew members underneath it. Or, getting tangled in sails if a boat goes under is treacherous. Thankfully, there were no injuries this year. Just a lot of patching, rigging, swimming and fast thinking.
B-Class Barbarian gets towed in with a broken mast
The series races had their share of exciting moments as well. Boats jockeyed for overall victory as different winners emerged each day, and the daily points tally became increasingly important.
For Tida Wave, it was a series of adjustments every day. Sail changes. Shifting lead. Shifting human ballast. Shifting tactics. Every day was a real race. No single boat dominated. The Race Committee tallied points nightly. Onshore, the crowd thickened—sailors, families, vendors and visitors gathering at Regatta Site to eat fresh conch fritters, drink cold beer and rehash every tack and maneuver.
Final Race Day: “Just Like the Champion She Is”
The last day came down to excellent sailing by Tida Wave—and math. Several boats were in the running, including Staniel Cay’s Tida Wave and Silent Partner from Black Point.
The final race brought displays of sportsmanship as well as sailing skill. Tida Wave’s backup sail wasn’t quite right for the extreme wind and also had torn slightly at the headboard during a tangle with New Courageous the day before. So, fierce rivals on Ruff Justice—who are also good friends (yes, that’s a thing! “On land we friends,” as the sailors say)—loaned Tida Wave one of their sails.
Sailing under Ruff Justice’s #10, Tida Wave showed off the prowess of the boat and crew. After leading most of the race, Tida Wave slipped to second behind New Courageous on one of the final tacks.
After the race, as our chase boat towed Tida Wave to her mooring and ferried the sailors ashore, I joined the excited chatter of the crew. Riding beside longtime crew member Tyrone from Staniel Cay, I asked him how she sailed.
Without missing a beat, he replied, “She was sailing just like the champion that she is.”
And the crew? “Crew feeling great, everybody feeling great.”
Redemption AND Results
After all points were tallied, Tida Wave secured Second Place overall in the 2025 National Family Island Regatta.
For an island as small as Staniel Cay to remain a top contender in the A-Class fleet year after year? That’s no small feat. The respect for Tida Wave and her crew runs deep—across Exuma, across generations.
And this year, the Exuma Cays made a strong showing. Silent Partner from neighboring Black Point is the A-Class national champion of the Bahamas! We are all thrilled that the top two spots stayed right here in our waters.
Silent Partner crew celebrates with other boat crews after the final race
Against the odds—wild wind, torn sails, and fierce competition—Tida Wave rose to the challenge once again. We are proud. We are proud. We are PROUD. Way to go, Staniel Cay! Way to go, Black Point! Way to go, Exuma Cays!
Did you know? A-Class “The Marie” won the very first National Family Island Regatta in 1954—captained by the legendary Rolly Gray of Staniel Cay!
Beyond the Boats – Bahamian Culture in Full Color
While my eyes were mostly on the sails and sea, just as much action happens ashore during Regatta week. With wind snapping at your clothes and Goombay rhythms pulsing through the air, Regatta isn’t just a race—it’s a full-body, full-spirit experience. Each April, it transforms George Town into the beating heart of Bahamian culture.
The hub of it all is “Regatta Site,” a lively stretch along Elizabeth Harbour and the edge of Government Centre. Hundreds of shanty-style stalls pop up, dishing out grilled favorites, ice-cold drinks, and steaming bowls of native food. The site forms an L-shaped party zone: one leg hugs the harbour, while the other leads into a park with games, crafts, and bouncy houses for kids. At the center sits a large stage for concerts and ceremonies, where marching bands parade in full regalia and the festive music keeps spirits high.
Regatta Site
The One. The Only. Bushman.
My, my, what a panorama! Kids dart through crowds, smoky grills sizzle nonstop, and conch salad disappears faster than you can blink. Sailors pass through here to reach their boats—and return salty, sated and ready to relive the day’s thrills over beers and banter. After a rinse and refresh, we all drift back to the music, the friendships, and the night.
We ran into so many old friends. Met new ones. Danced under the moonlight. Laughed over lobster salad and drinks. There’s something deeply comforting about the way Regatta draws the archipelago together. Everyone’s got their boat, their colors, their crew—but the vibe stays warm and buzzing with Bahamian flair.
The atmosphere of the crowd shifts over the course of the week, too. Early on, it’s mostly sailors, snowbird boaters in quick-dry clothes, and curious visitors. But by the weekend? The city crowds arrive in full Regatta glam—sky-high heels, fresh manicures, skimpy outfits, lots of bling and high-energy swagger. It is a SCENE.
Awards Ceremony
As the sun dipped behind the harbour on the final night, Regatta Site swelled with celebration. Dignitaries from across the country took the stage to honor the week’s champions. The Bahamas’ Prime Minister, the Right Honorable Philip Brave Davis, participated front and center, underscoring the national significance of this beloved event.
Each year, the Regatta Committee honors several individuals who have shaped the sport—but this time, one name stood alone: longtime Regatta Commodore Danny Strahn. With three decades of tireless service, he helped elevate sailing to this level of national pride and global recognition. Congratulations, Commodore Emeritus!
Then came our moment. Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable Chester Cooper, took the mic to present the 2nd place A-Class trophy to Staniel Cay’s very own Tida Wave. Cheers erupted, pride surged—and a couple of enthusiastic community ladies couldn’t resist storming the stage in celebration.
And for the grand finale? Black Point’s entire Silent Partner crew, along with what seemed like half the Village, surged forward to claim their 1st place A-Class trophy. The music launched into We Are The Champions, and it felt like the whole harbour was singing along. As the stage dispersed, the music switched back to Bahamian rake-n-scrape with perfect lyrics for the moment: “I’m a boat man, a seaman, my world is on the water.”
Welcome Back Home
It was too rough to tow Tida Wave home immediately after the Regatta, so a week later, crew members flew back to George Town. After prepping the boats and grabbing some sleep, they set out early in the morning, towing both Tida Wave and the chase boat Whaler behind a trawler. For nearly 12 hours, they battled their way home through rough seas, navigating a high-stakes tow that tested skill, nerve, teamwork and the structural integrity of all three boats.
But skilled seamen that they are, they did it. As they neared Staniel Cay, other Tida Wave crew, community members and yours truly gathered at the dock to welcome them home and celebrate Tida Wave's victory! The boats unhooked and secured Tida Wave on her mooring before the sailors came to the dock, amidst car horns and cheering.
Reflections
Every year I wonder: Can it really live up to the hype again? And every year, it does—just differently each time.
As we settle back into home routines on Staniel Cay, what sticks with me this year? The impressive determination shown with the torn sail—a true testament to character. The raw beauty of these handcrafted sloops slicing through turquoise water. The sound of Tida Wave’s name cheered against the thrum of the music. And the way the Staniel Cay community rallies, not just in person, but in spirit.
Staniel Cay, you did us proud. And to the crew: your hustle, heart, and sailing heritage remind us why Regatta matters.
It was a great Regatta, and we are all proud of our local champions. Way to go, Tida Wave and Silent Partner!
Want More?
👉 Staniel Cay Life shared frequent live updates on Instagram DAILY during Regatta Week—raw, unfiltered, and straight from the scene! Check out our “Regatta” HIGHLIGHTS REEL 🎥 on @StanielCay.Life’s Instagram profile
👉 FOLLOW @StanielCay.Life for more behind-the-scenes content, island clips and sunny vibes.
👉 New to the world of Bahamian sloops? READ our Regatta Primer for deeper background on this iconic event.