Dear Editor,
Are we losing our boat racing tradition?
The first August Monday boat race was held in 1940 so this year Anguilla celebrated 75 years of boat racing. But did we celebrate it? How many people at the races knew this fact? Did everyone flock to Sandy Ground to see the boat races? Did people from neighbouring islands come to see the boat races as they used to? OR did everyone have more interest in the music, the visiting artistes, jumping up, drinking and eating? Judging by the long lines of traffic to Sandy Ground, late into the evening, it seems that the latter is true.
Although the Caribbean Beach Party has a place in the Summer Festival should we let it take over from boat racing, our national sport? This year the Boat Racing Committee had many problems getting sponsors for the races? The boat owners and crews need funding. Boat racing it is an expensive sport and maintaining a boat costs a lot. Do we want to lose our national sport because of lack of sponsors or because more people are interested in the music and fêting?
At the very least, there should be a lull in the music at the start of the boat race so everyone is aware of it, and a commentary on the last part of the race, over loudspeakers, so that everyone can appreciate its importance to the day and can congratulate the winners.
I think there needs to be in-depth discussion about this so that we can come up with a solution that will maintain our boat racing tradition especially on August Monday.
Brenda Carty
