The Beachcomber race is aptly named because it is a race to the island called “Beachcomber.”  This is a very unusual race as “anything goes.”  What does that mean exactly?  Well it means you can use your engines; you can use any sail configuration, and you can do pretty much anything to get yourself quickly to the island.

There are 3 prizes:  first boat to arrive, first captain to shore, and best pirate costume.

Here is the course:  it starts at the sand bank just south of Malolo island, then goes around the southern tip of Malolo and straight to Beachcomber.  The course is only 11nm so it should take us about an hour to get there in our super-fast boat.

On race day we have ridiculously light winds!  What a bummer, looks like it will be a motor sail.  We position ourselves near the start, wait for the horn, and off we go.  We are not first across the start line, but within 2 minutes we are in the lead.  Wow can motor at 10-11kts per hour with (2) 25hp outboard engines!  Yep, he has outboard engines.  Sugar Shack has (2) 50hp engines and we average 6kts!

A photo 5 minutes after the start taken from our stern.

It is pretty easy race as there is nothing we can really do under motor.  No sail changes, no tacking, no trimming.  So, the captain has us move up front to the bow to see if we can get more speed out of the boat.  And wouldn’t you know it, we gain a half a knot!

We are the first to cross the finish line and arrive at Beachcomber.

Dave, our captain jumps in the water as we anchor the boat.  He wants to be the first captain to shore. 

A Pirate’s Reception

After we secure the boat, a panga comes around to collect us.  We are immediately attacked by a bandit of pirates who hold us up at sword point and put nooses around our necks.  We are forced to walk single file, across hot burning coals, and told to take our rum vaccination shot!

Our winning team take photos under the Beachcomber sign

Outside there is a mass grave site and a hanging station.

Debauchery with Fellow Pirates

It is amazing how a little costume can make the inhibitions go away.  Well that and maybe a little liquor which was flowing freely.  These two lovely ladies are Mel and Claire.

Many joined in the fun with partial or full costumes.

Entertainment

After lunch, the Beachcomber resort brought out the dancers and fire walkers.  What a treat to see them this up close and personal!

Five dancers wowed us with their beauty, grace, and skill.

Then we went outside to see the fire walkers.  Not sure how they did it in the heat with the hot flames!

They lit flames using their hands and feet.

Truly amazing performers

AWARD TIME

Finally, it was time for the awards…First boat across the finish “Wow”, first captain to shore “Wow”, best pirate costume “Christine from Wow” we sweep the award ceremony.

I did not even know how they knew my name.

Time to head back while the sun was still out to show us the reefs.  We were the only boat to attempt to sail back, but it just got too much for the captain to be in last place so we turned on the engine about half way there.

What a spectacularly funny day!

The events from this blog occurred in early September 2022.  Our blog posts run 6-8 weeks behind actual events.  The world renowned Musket Cove regatta kicks off in our last blog.