Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

SVG Junior Sailing Week 2025: A Spectacular Celebration of Youth, Sportsmanship and Island Spirit

by Mark Cyrus 24 Apr 07:16 PDT April 13-21, 2025
Vincy Sailing Week Youth Regatta © SVG Sailing

When Minister Carlos James called on the SVG Sailing Association to help deliver SVG Junior Sailing Week 2025, the response was clear, and the results were outstanding.

The week-long event kicked off in style on Sunday, April 13th in Calliaqua Bay, with the Vincy Sailing Club hosting an action-packed opening regatta. Over 20 boats and 25 young sailors from St. Vincent and Bequia competed in five thrilling races, expertly managed by the Vincy Sailing Race Management Team. Jankie Glass hosted a vibrant prize-giving ceremony at Coconut Grove Beach Club.

On Tuesday, 15th, the sailors set their sights on Mayreau for the second day of competition. The Mayreau Junior Sailing Club rolled out the red carpet, delivering a day filled with exhilarating races and fun-focused events, including the crowd-favourite capsize race. With over 40 young sailors participating, the biggest event of the week, it was a perfect showcase of enthusiasm, energy, and community spirit.

Older sailors took on a more challenging round-the-island race, skillfully navigating the reefs on the island's Windward side—an impressive display of seamanship. Huge thanks to John Forde, Stephon Forde, Norfrick Baptiste, Nancy and Lorne Saul Demers, for their incredible hospitality and support.

Next stop: Canouan, Wednesday 16th April, for the third Junior Regatta. Hosted by Albert Olivierre at Coconut Bar and Grill, the junior regatta was packed with fast-paced racing in the stunning waters of Charlestown Bay. Participants from across Canouan, Mayreau, St. Vincent, and Bequia came together, swapping boats and skills—sailing everything from Sunfish to FJs, a change from their usual Optimist dinghies.

The islands of Mayreau and Canouan are still recovering from Hurricane Beryl, so it was tremendous to see both communities going out of their way to support their young sailors.

The grand finale took place on the Easter weekend in Bequia, with boats and sailors arriving by ferry and catamaran for a two-day regatta on Saturday and Sunday. Over 30 young sailors competed in 11 fiercely contested races, showing exceptional skill and sportsmanship. Under the guidance of Thor Magnus Lee and the Vincy Sailing race management team—Sabrina Marks Dasent, Alex Punnett, and Fedel Mansour—every race was run with precision and passion.

Magnus Lee of Blue Life Yacht Charters Bequia, who used one of his catamarans to transport the sailors and equipment throughout the islands, said "It is an honor to be a part of the Junior Sailing Week and see so many young, up and coming sailors here in SVG. It has been a week filled with excitement, joy and a lot of sailing. Seeing the commitment and the enthusiasm in their eyes is why I am engaged with this".

"It's impossible to thank everyone by name", said Jenny Trumble, President of the SVG Sailing Association, "but the Sailing Association is deeply grateful for the warmth, generosity, and tireless efforts of the entire sailing community. From volunteers to venue hosts, from parents to coaches and the schools who allowed the sailors time away from their studies. The spirit of sailing in St. Vincent and the Grenadines has never been stronger".

SVG Junior Sailing Week 2025 has not only celebrated competition and camaraderie—it's shown that the future of sailing in SVG is bright.

Vincy Sailing was awarded the Silver Level Clean Regatta certification by the international organisation Sailors Of The Sea, for the SVG Sailing Week Juniors Regatta. The Clean regatta's manager Alexandria Paolino Punnet said:

"We're incredibly proud to have earned a Silver Level Certification, for our environmental efforts whilst hosting the Juniors Regattas at the inaugural Vincy Sailing Week on April 13, 2025. This means achieving approximately 60% of the 20 Clean Regattas Best Practices in the toolkit.

"This achievement marks a significant step forward since we officially became Sailors for the Sea, joining the global Clean Regattas program in December 2024—earning a Bronze at our annual Vincy Sailing Christmas Party.

"Our commitment goes beyond events we host. At the Bequia Easter Regatta, we brought our Water Refill Station, cutting down single-use plastics during the SVG Sailing Week finale.

"Clean Regattas are about legacy—raising awareness and inspiring action. We aim to leave every sailor, volunteer, and spectator motivated to carry these practices forward in their own clubs and communities.

"Together, let's sail toward a cleaner, greener future"

Vincy Sailing Week Results:

St Vincent Regatta, 13th April

ILCA 6
1. Kai Marks-Dasent, St Vincent
2. Logan Banfield, St Vincent
3. Zachary McLawrence, St Vincent

ILCA 4
1. Joshua Weinhardt, St Vincent
2. Joseph Hadley, St Vincent
3. Tegan Deane, St Vincent

O'pen Skiff
1. Lily Punnett
2. Princess Ashton
3. Ira Hadley

Topaz
1. River Punnett, Milla Ryder, St Vincent and New Zealand
2. Isaiah Blackett, Ravin Hadley, Solomia Kerechanyn, St Vincent
3. Sky Cato, Mya Gun Munro, St Vincent

Optimist
1. Conroy Harris, Bequia
2. Drake Gooding, Bequia
3. Kelvin Harris, Bequia

Mayreau Regatta, 15th April

Optimist
1. Kai Dasent-Marks, St Vincent
2. Joshua Weinhardt, St Vincent
3. Drake Gooding, Bequia

Round-the-island race
1. Kai Marks Dasent, Joshua Osborne, Joshua Weinhardt, St. Vincent
2. Stephon Forde, Kenny Jr. Forde, Jeremiah Forde, Mayreau
3. Norfrick Baptiste, Samarah Forde, Mayreau

Canouan Regatta, 16th April

Optimist
1. Antoine Snagg, Canouan
2. Stephon Jacobs, Canouan

Sunfish
1. Kenny Forde, Conroy Harris (Mayreau, Bequia)
2. Azeem Forde, Crisbane Snagg (Mayreau, Canouan)

FJ
1. Stefon Forde, JJ Forde, Kelvin Harris, Jeremy (Mayreau, Bequia)
2. Kai Marks-Dasent, Joshua Weinhardt, Kemi Bynoe, Kimiah T BHhomas (St Vincent, Bequia, Mayreau)

Bequia Regatta, 19th & 20th April

ILCA 6
1. Kai Marks-Dasent, St Vincent
2. Logan Banfield, St Vincent
3. Zach McLawrence, St Vincent

O'pen Skiff
1. Benjamin Cyrus, St Vincent
2. Ira Hadley, St Vincent
3. Lily Punnet, St Vincent

Opti
1. Kemi Bynoe, Bequia
2. Joshua Weinhardt, St Vincent
3. Kelvin Harris, Bequia

FJ
1. Norfrick Baptiste, Samarah Forde, Mayreau
2. Azeem Forde, Jeremiah Forde, Mayreau

Sunfish
1. Kenny Jr. Forde, Mayreau
2. Mahendra Williams, Jammal Forde, Mayreau

Topper 1. Deo Tanis, Bequia

Related Articles

Feadship Project 715 launched
The explore yacht slipped from her building hall in Aalsmeer, the Netherlands Feadship's latest entry into the genre of explorer yachts slipped from her building hall in Aalsmeer, the Netherlands. Posted on 18 May
Riviera's 72 Sports Motor Yacht Series II Premiere
Part of Riviera's 12 yacht showcase at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show Riviera celebrates two World Premieres at this year's Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. The new generation 72 Sports Motor Yacht - Series II joins the exciting new 4300 Sports Express as part of Riviera's spectacular 12 yacht showcase. Posted on 18 May
CL Yachts unveils sporty new CLB65 SUV
New model being introduced ahead of the 2025 Sanctuary Cove Boat Show As the ever-popular CLB65 continues its grand tour - following its Asia-Pacific debut in Hong Kong and standout appearances at major boat shows across Australia and the US - CL Yachts is proud to unveil its latest concept: CLB65 SUV. Posted on 17 May
The Outer Reef 27 Crossover
The Outer Reef 27 Crossover The 27 (Meter) Crossover is the first in Outer Reef's Crossover Series and a standout member of our Adventure Sports Vessel (ASV) lineup. Posted on 14 May
New exterior views of in-build 52-meter GTT 170
A next-generation superyacht designed for shallow waters and high-speed cruising from Dynamiq Constructed entirely in aluminum and currently in-build in Antalya, Turkey, this groundbreaking superyacht is purposefully engineered for discerning owners in the United States and the Middle East. Posted on 13 May
First GX42 showcases harmonious Casali interior
The flagship of the GX Superyachts fleet exhibits faultless, sophisticated accommodation. Timeless design and relaxed family living are the guiding principles behind the eagerly awaited interior of the first GX42. Posted on 13 May
Marine Auctions: May Online Auctions
Marina Berths and Vessels, some vessels unreserved Marina Berths and Vessels, some vessels unreserved. The Bidding for the May Online Auction will commence on Thursday 23rd May and will end on Thursday 29th May at 2pm AEST. Posted on 12 May
Maritimo propeller development
"High speed screw development definitely is a scientific approach to what is a black art" "High speed screw development definitely is a scientific approach to what is a black art," said Willaton in opening. "Propellers can be a tricky thing, and so we take the hull resistance figures from our in-house Naval Architect here at Maritimo." Posted on 9 May
Bulwarks and Bulldust – watch Episode One
Episode One - Wes Moxey, CEO of Riviera Motor Yachts - is now up and running Episode One - Wes Moxey, CEO of Riviera Motor Yachts - is now up and running Posted on 8 May
SAY it with intent! SAY it in carbon…
You know, you might also have to SAY it in epoxy. You know, you might also have to SAY it in epoxy. Get all that, and you are certainly someone who needs to know about SAY Carbon Yachts. It's all about efficiency, acceleration, pace, and the amount of horsepower required to get there. Posted on 8 May
Maritimo 2023 M600 FOOTERPalm Beach Motor Yachts