Photographer Jan Pehrson is in George Town, Exuma, the Bahamas, which is hosting the National Family Island Regatta of the Bahamas.

The theme of this year’s regatta – the 61st annual — is “Sloop Sailing – a Proud Heritage”. The vision of the founders was to gather sailors and cruisers in one place. Sailors, after the close of the lobster season, to make some sport. Cruisers, in the magnificent cruising grounds of The Bahamas, to witness one of the last working sailing fleets in action.

There are traditional regattas on other islands in the Bahamas, but the Family Regatta is the original and the biggest. About 70 boats, many arriving as cargo on the inter-island ferry from Nassau, compete for bragging rights, trophies, and prize money.

Boats are divided into five classes. Used for the Youth Championships, the 12 foot “E” Class” boats are the smallest. At 28 feet on deck, the “A Class” boats are the largest. With their long overhanging booms and huge, billowing canvas sails that easily overpower the hulls, the “A Class” boats seem much larger. Hiking out on the moveable “pry boards,” big men keep the sloops from capsizing.

For more information about the National Family Island Regatta of the Bahamas, go to
www.nationalfamilyislandregatta.com