Soundings presents: BVI Boating Week 2006

WHO: Soundings – The Nation’s Boating Newspaper, celebrating over 40 years serving the nation's recreational boaters, is published by Trader Publishing Co., of Norfolk, Va. Soundings Publications, L.L.C. also publishes the marine business journal Soundings Trade Only, and Woodshop News, a news and feature publication for small-shop professional woodworkers.

WHAT: BVI Boating Week has been designed for the serious boating enthusiast and will encompass both the sailing and powerboating lifestyles. Families, couples and singles can head south this winter and receive a truly exciting boating experience, which can be tailored to their personal interests. Guests will have the ability to take part in many different boating activities ranging from seminars, daily excursions, hands-on training as well as racing and fishing. They will also have the ability to meet some of boating’s icons and well-known industry leaders.

WHERE: North Sound Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands.

WHEN: January 6-14, 2006

WHY: To promote and celebrate both the sailing and powerboating lifestyles in one of the world’s most popular boating destinations.

HOW: By land: Contact the Bitter End Yacht Club (BEYC) for reservations and let them know that you want to take part in BVI Boating Week: 800-872-2392 or 305-468-0168.
By water: Come by private or charter boat and tie up to one of the resort’s 70 moorings or 25 transient slips. In the BVI, the resort monitors VHF Channel 16 or call them at 284-494-2746.

PRICES: By land: 7 day/6 night Admirals Package (double occupancy) $4,336.50 (taxes included, prices subject to change). By water: Mooring fees are $25.00 per night and can accommodate vessels up to 60 feet. Dockage rates vary from $35.00 to $95.00 per night for vessels ranging in size from 30 to 79 feet. Vessels over 79 feet will be charged $1.75 per foot.

EVENT DETAILS:

Our host, The Bitter End Yacht Club and Resort (BEYC), offers an unsurpassed boating vacation experience. With its great location on North Sound, the largest non-commercial deep-water harbor in the Caribbean, they are able to offer guests the opportunity to sail, snorkel, windsurf, fish, scuba, kite board and explore, all from one location. Its water sports facility boasts a club fleet of over 100 boats, skiffs and daysailers. In addition to all of this, the Bitter End provides access to the best of the British Virgin Islands with over 15 weekly excursions. This is truly a boater’s paradise.

The week will start off big (literally) with the 3rd annual BEYC Bucket Regatta. Sailing megayachts and their crews from the region will stop in for some R & R and a little competition. During this 3 day event, resort guests will actually be able to take part in the Dog Island Run and Around Virgin Gorda race aboard matched Farr 65-footers. From there guests may participate in the 13th annual Women on the Water week (presented by West Marine), the 8th annual Mid Winter Regatta of Champions or learn the sport of sailing alongside John Kantor and his "Winter Away Team" from the Long Shore Sailing School.

By midweek, guests will have a personal introduction into the wonders of chartering a boat in the British Virgin Islands. Professionals will be on hand to welcome guests aboard some of the latest designs the top charter companies in the BVI have to offer. This is a great way to check out charter companies for the first time or do some comparison shopping to see which company will best suit your needs. For those more interested in a little nautical history with a drink on the beach, we will host the resort’s first celebration of Rum Day. Find out why rum has always been considered a sailor’s drink. Guests will learn how important the trade of rum was for the islands, America, and Europe while sampling the many different types and specialty drinks that are the perfect complement to any vacation.

There will even be something for the marine industry professional during this week, as Trade Only will introduce the first annual Marine Industry Challenge. This sailing race will be open to all marine industry professionals who are willing to put it all on the line. Don’t know how to sail? Not a problem! Use your business savvy skills to organize a team of sailors. Interested participants are encouraged to bring a sailor or two with them or do some recruiting at the resort. The race will be conducted on the resort’s Hunter 216’s (for teams) and Lasers (for individuals).

Seminars will be take place during the week, as well as the opportunity to try scuba diving with Sail Caribbean Divers, windsurfing with BEYC’s waterfront staff and kite boarding with the Carib Kiteboardings professional staff. For guests already accomplished at these sports, professionals will be on hand to help perfect their technique or take them to the next level. Guests will be able to meet and also attend special presentations by Pam Wall (West Marine), JJ Isler (Sailing Olympic Medalist and author), Martha Parker (World Champion Racer) and Peter Isler (Winning America’s Cup navigator and author). For those with an adventurous soul, daily group excursions are planned to some of the most popular destinations in the BVI, including the Baths, Norman Island, Marina Cay, and of course, Anegada. Guests looking for a more personal excursion of the North Sound area may use one of the many skiffs and daysailers the resort has to offer. By week’s end the powerboating will come into full swing with a powerboat rendezvous. Boaters from Puerto Rico and the USVI will be invited to stop by to play and meet with visiting marine industry professionals. Talks and activities will become geared to the powerboating lifestyle.

BVI boating week is a true celebration of the boating lifestyle, offering numerous opportunities for the beginner as well as the experienced boater. Guests are encouraged to take part in the week’s events, though for those who are equally interested is some quality rest and relaxation, there are plenty of quiet beaches and hammocks as well as a beautiful pool, where you can relax and do absolutely nothing!