‘Bartica Regatta ‘one of the biggest ever’ – Mayor

Apr 02, 2018

There has been a “vast increase” in persons visiting this year’s Easter Regatta in Bartica, Mayor Gifford Marshall said.

The annual event takes place over the Easter weekend. The mayor said this year’s Regatta is a step in the right direction towards growing Bartica’s tourism potential. “What we see happening this year is a demonstration of us coming together and working for one purpose and that is for a successful 2018 Regatta.”

President David Granger greeting persons following the commissioning of the boardwalk.

Thousands of Barticans and visitors alike were in Bartica to witness the power boat races on Sunday and Monday, the feature events of the Regatta. The annual Miss Bartica Regatta and Road Jam, which were held on Saturday, were also main attractions over the weekend.

Overseas Guyanese, Headley Woodley and his family returned home to enjoy this year’s Regatta. “So far… my first experience I love it,” adding that he is willing to return.

Racer in the powerboat events, Dave Scott, performed successfully in the races taking the checkered flag twice on Sunday. He noted that the Regatta has something for everyone.

“You could get fun with the boat, you could get fun with the jet ski, you could swim, you could just come and lime. There’s a lot of things you can do,” Scott said. Visitors and residents alike took advantage of the variety of activities.

Mayor of Bartica Gifford Marshall.

There were those who were engrossed in the races while others were out with families flying kites and soaking in the sand and sun on the newly constructed boardwalk along Third Avenue Beach. Others were enjoying the entertainment under the pavilion.

President Granger officially commissioned the boardwalk on Sunday. The Golden Beach Development Project cost some $40M and Mayor Marshall said that the project will be expanded in the coming year.

“Our aim is to ensure that over the next two, three, four, five years the next time patrons come visit the Bartica Regatta it must have something different.”

Among those enjoying all that the Regatta had to offer was Bhaskar Sharma. The Publisher and Journalist from Canada was a first-timer to the Regatta. “It’s amazing, it’s a sight. I believe that this thing should be promoted in the diaspora,” he said.

Team Manager of the Regatta Committee, Holbert Knights, said his team has successfully hosted “tremendous activities” leading up to the Easter weekend features.

“We’ve had sports, our football had a record crowd, we had a top model segment at Aruwai [Resort] that was really good too. We have a very, very strong team,” Knights said.

Regional Chairman of Region Seven, Gordon Bradford, commended the Bartica Business Development Association for successfully staging this year’s Regatta.

“Regatta is a national event now and we how that with the Bartica Business Development Association they can make it into a true international event,” Bradford said.