National Hero’s Day Regatta In Subic Bay
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Photo courtesy John Smart
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Following the success of the Independence Day Regatta in June, Subic Bay Yacht Club and the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailors (SAGS) sailing group have chosen their next big event to be on the National Hero’s Day – the traditional August Holiday – weekend, 29 – 31 August, 2009, which will follow the Ninoy Aquino Anniversary Day Regatta 21 – 22 August, at the same venue. Nineteen boats competed in the June event, making it the largest sailing event in Subic Bay for Philippine club boats in more than a decade; more are expected in August.
The National Hero’s Day Regatta in Subic Bay will attract all sizes of sailing boats. If you do not have a boat but want one then there will be boats available for rent and for hire; if you want to be crew then there will be crew places available on many Subic Bay Yacht Club boats. If you have a boat that is broken then check out the spares and replacement parts at Broadwater Marine the Subic Bay chandler and you could be back on the water in a jiffy.
If you just want to watch and take photographs of the action then you will have to rent a power boat for the occasion or, you will need to be on the beach in front of The Lighthouse Marina Resort hotels, Moonbay Marina, (better still, check in to The Lighthouse Marina Resort for the weekend and they will then let you set up a camera at the upper level of the 720-Bar).
Sailing in Subic Bay has always been great fun – clean water, gentlemanly breezes and almost no waves – but the resurgence of interest in sailing here seems to mirror the decrease in interest in sailing in Manila Bay. Rumours abound (too incredible and unverifiable to report here) about the reason for the decline in sailing in Manila Bay and when asked, our sources at the Manila Yacht Club observed that there are just fewer sailing members in Manila than there used to be, so naturally there will be fewer boats sailing in races here. Sounds about right.
Whatever the reason, come and enjoy Subic Bay between 29th – 31st August to watch the National Hero’s Day Regatta and if sailing is your passion then be at the Subic Bay Yacht Club any morning at around 8.00am to attend the skipper’s briefing and find which boat will be your chariot for competition on the day.
Links:
Subic Bay From The Broadwater Marine webcam
Subic Bay From The Lighthouse Marina Resort webcam