Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ever-present golfers play at surprisingly high levels. Golf tournaments are held
throughout the year, culminating in the annual, much-publicized
Bermuda Open
at
the Port Royal Golf Course in early October. Amateurs and professionals are welcome
to vie for one of the most sought-after golfing prizes in the world. For information or
an application, contact the secretary of the
Bermuda Golf Association
(
&
441/
295-9972;
www.bermudagolf.org).
Horse Racing & Equestrian Competitions
Contact the
National Equestrian Centre,
Vesey Street, Devonshire Parish
(
&
441/291-7223
), for information about upcoming events. From September to
Easter, harness races take place about twice a month.
A major equestrian event is in October: the FEI/Samsung Dressage Competition and
Show-Jumping. Details are available from the
Bermuda Equestrian Federation,
P.O. Box DV 583, Devonshire DV BX, Bermuda (
&
441/234-0485;
www.bef.bm).
Soccer
Bermudians view soccer as an important part of elementary education and actively
encourage children and teenagers to participate. In early April, teams from countries
around the Atlantic and Caribbean compete in three age divisions for the Diadora
Youth Soccer Cup. Games are held on various fields throughout the island. More
accessible to spectators at other times are the many high-school games held regularly
throughout the year. Contact the tourist office for a schedule.
Yachting
Bermuda capitalizes on its geographical position in the mid-Atlantic to lure the yacht-
ing crowd. The racing season runs from March to November, with most races sched-
uled on weekends in the relatively calm waters of Bermuda's Great Sound. The best
land vantage points include Spanish Point, the islands northeast of Somerset, and
Hamilton Harbour. Shifting sightlines can make it confusing to watch races from
land. Better views are available from the decks of privately owned boats that anchor
near the edge of the racecourse, so it's good to befriend a private boat owner.
Although the carefully choreographed regattas might be confusing to newcomers, the
sight of a fleet of racing craft with spinnakers and pennants aloft is always exciting.
Bermuda is the final destination in two of the most important annual yacht races:
the
Annapolis-Bermuda Race
(www.bermudaoceanrace.com) and the even more
prestigious
Newport-Bermuda Race
(www.bermudarace.com), both held in late
June. Both provide enough visual distraction and maritime pageantry to keep you
enthralled. Participating yachts range from 9 to 30m (30-98 ft.) in length, and their
skippers are said to be among the most dedicated in the world.
Around Halloween, the autumn winds propel dozens of less exotic racing craft
through the waters of the Great Sound. They compete in a series of one-on-one
playoffs for the
King Edward VII Gold Cup International Match Racing
Tournament.
The island's yachting events are by no means limited to international competitions.
Bermuda's sheltered bays and windswept open seas provide year-round enticement
for anyone who has ever wanted to experience the thrill of a snapping jib and taut
mainsail. See “Sailing,” under “More Fun in the Water,” earlier in this chapter, for
details on yacht charters.
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