All hands on deck for the Round Bowen Race

On June 9, Bowen's shores will be inundated with over 100 sailboats eagerly awaiting the 24th annual Round Bowen Race to commence at 10 a.m. sharp!

This popular and family friendly race is the largest single start race (most boats on the start line at the same time) in the Pacific Northwest. Approximately 25 nautical miles will, on average, take these racers five hours to complete. The boats that participate range from the "Il Moro", an American Cup class boat all the way to an old wooden ketch which is typically a long distance cruiser.

"For many boats, this is the only race they do because its fun and families are welcomed on board," states Jonathan Bell, commodore of the Bowen Island Yacht Club (BIYC).

The BIYC is listed as a non-profit so most of the money raised from this race will go towards the youth sailboat training programs run by the yacht club every summer in Tunstall Bay.

"We have a superb sailing group," says Bell and this year, the club has started its own Optimist sailboat training program for kids six to 10 years of age. This program is designed to teach young sailors basic sailing techniques through games and interactive lessons on land and water using Optimist sailboats small sailing dinghies intended specifically for children to learn on.

After the race, at 6 p.m., there will be a post-race barbeque with live music at Doc Morgan's patio. The Rolling Stallones will be playing and everyone is welcome to help celebrate the winning teams.

For more information about the Bowen Island Yacht Club, see www.biyc.bc.ca.