Bowen’s biggest nautical tradition returned June 10 with the annual Round Bowen Race. As usual more than 100 boats signed up to take to the sea on the grey and wind-starved June morning, with participants in the Bowen Island Yacht Club’s event being informed that unlike last year, this year they’d be travelling in a clockwise direction.
It was a difficult trip around the island as poor wind hampered race conditions. Still, around half the boats entered managed to finish the race. Among the 54 to complete the run were a trio of Bowen vessels - captained by Trevor Tunnacliffe on Bee, Allard Ockeloen on Seamist, and Alan Boniface on Sea of Tranquility.
Prior to the event a pancake breakfast was held to help fundraise for the Bowen Island Football Club. And following the race, an after-party was held on the Marina lawn with awards, a barbecue, and live music from Black Molly.
The race is one of the largest mass starts on the West Coast, and in addition to bringing hundreds of talented sailors together, it also serves as a fundraiser for the local Yacht Club’s Kids Learn to Sail program.
