Barbados - Mount Gay Rum Race in January

[wildpreservatio]

Hello all,

I am a total newb but very interested in learning more about sailing. Is anyone here planning to be in Barbados week of Jan13-20? I understand the Mount Gay Rum race around Barbados is occurring around then.

I am interested in any recommendations on how I can maximize this vacation time to learn about sailing! I would appreciate any tips on sailing instruction and course available there (beginner!). Very happy to learn on a small sailing dinghy or help with crew tasks on a larger boat.

Thanks in advance for any advice or details


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[Hud3]

Welcome to CF, wp.

Not too many cruisers in the West Indies go to Barbados. It's the most windward of the Windward Islands, and it's a long, hard beat upwind/current to get there.

[caradow]

I have lived and worked in Barbados for over 2 years.
Not the most ideal place to learn to sail for reasons as mentioned above.
Also there is no real protected harbor there other than an artificial one created for the cruise ships.
You might try the Yacht Club and get on a crew list. I am not aware of any actual sailing schools but then again I was there a long time ago.
We would sail to the Grenadines for an overnight passage then work our way up to Martinique so the return passage would be a close reach (most of the time).
I would suggest checking out the Virgins for sailing schools on your next vacation or simply charter with a captain to see if you really get the itch.
Otherwise Barbados is a very geographically diversified island and quite beautiful so enjoy.