Belize Sailing Association

Corozal Bay, Corozal District. Dawn of Sunday 27th February broke over the waters of Corozal Bay revealing 4 marker buoys bobbing excitedly on the white capped waves as nine Pico, Lasers were being returned to the Bay from the previous day’s practice. The regatta was part of the Corozal Water Festival and Expo, organized by a committee headed by Rick Rosalez.

The BFATC Picos were brought to the Bay the previous day by road on a flat bed truck provided by Maheia’s United.

The Douglas Gabourel trailered his Hunter 14 from Honey Camp Lagoon.

Two Hobie Cats sailed in from the Consejo Yacht Club, arriving on a run in the ever freshening south easterly breeze.

Trent Miller from Caye Caulker provided coaching and Andy Aspinall race supervision.

Sea Scouts, Liberty Children Home participants, parents and friends arrived on the Liberty Children’s Home Bus from Belize City 90 miles from the south. Observers included the Chairman of the Baron Bliss Harbor Regatta Committee E D Flowers. Other nationalities partaking were depicted by country flags for: Canada, Germany, UK and USA.
Soon Rainbow Park at the North end of Corozal Town began to fill with hundreds of people and with the BBQ and tacos stalls in full swing and the shore side official ceremony completed, the races began. Gilharry Seven providing music, several stage activities including the mauga-man contest kept spectators entertained between races as did banana boat rides.

The weather held throughout: popcorn clouds, blue skies and wild water in the Bay! Lots of children and adults were fascinated with the Regatta. Many had come expecting to see Optimist!

Results:

Multihull

First Place. HC Helgoland in a time of 36 minutes
Gerhard Cordts, Barry Fitzgerald, Jim Maltais and Trenton Miller
Second Place. HC Catty Dread in a time of 37 Minutes 5 Seconds Jason Pierce, Perry Chow, Dan Morey and James Boyd.

Doubles Class

1st Andy & Zoey Aspinall in a time of 17 Minutes 40 Seconds
2nd Richard Archer & Lucy Tuyub in a time of 20 Minutes.
3rd Roberto Pott & Austin Lorenzo in a time of 20 minutes 30 Second

Hunter 14 Class
1st Wilson Logan & Orlando Pineda in a time of 21 minutes and 5 seconds

Pico Class

1st Andy Aspinall in a time of 17.05
2nd Ron Fioole 18.10
3rd Wilson Logan 20.40
4th Mark Rodriguez
5th Trenton S Miller
6th Roberto Pott

Next event is the Baron Bliss Harbour Regatta on Sunday 6th March at the BTL Park.

Tropical Island Academy Fundraiser

Be sure to visit the Boca del Rio beach at Wayo’s Beachside Beernet on Sunday, March 6th, for “Tropical Island Academy’s BEACH BBQ BLAST.” A BBQ grilling competition is ‘heating up!’ Each classroom will be grilling delicious dishes for all to enjoy while competing against each other for “Most Delicious!” Representing Beginners & Infant I will be Patrick Houghton of Cayo Espanto. Grilling for the boys and ‘grrrls’ of Infant 1 & Infant 2 will be Amy Knox of Wild Mango’s. Charles Worthington of Estelle’s by the Sea will BBQ for Standards 1 & 2, and PJ Leslie of Latitudes Café joins John Harvey, Grill Master of Robin’s Restaurant, to support Standards 4 & 5.
The entire community is invited to eat well and enjoy beach games - with lots of prizes from enthusiastic sponsors. Thanks to Bowen and Bowen Ltd., Running W Meats, Gallon Jug Agroindustry, and Suya Tours for getting the party started. Gifts and prizes from many active sponsors will be given away in an array of games and competitions for boys, girls, and grown-ups of all ages! Thanks to Chan Chich Eco-Lodge, Changes in Latitudes, Cayo Espanto, Wine de Vine, Amigos del Mar, Lil’ Alfonse Tours, Sol Spa, Ocean Essence Water Top Spa, Heaven’s Hair and Nails, Mariano’s Ice Cream and Yogurt, and more to come! Spend a day at the beach, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM, for a good cause: the enthusiastic students of the Island Academy. No entrance fee!

Matachica redefines laid-back luxury travel in Central America

For Immediate Release - San Pedro, Belize, March 1st, 2011 – Matachica Resort & Spa is proud to begin the New Year with two prestigious prizes awarded by the world’s most distinguished travel publications. After announcing its multimillion-dollar redesign and expansion, this hidden jewel facing the world’s second-largest barrier reef is increasing its international recognition.

Condé Nast Johansens, the purveyor of international luxury travel guides, has revealed the winners of the 2011 Awards for Excellence. Matachica was selected among 270 outstanding properties throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific Islands, and named one of the Top 3 finalists for the Most Excellent Romantic Hideaway in Mexico and Central America. Readers of the guides, hotel guests and the Condé Nast Johansens team all contributed votes for the 2011 awards. As a result, the Excellence Awards winners represent the very best of the best.

In addition, Matachica’s Jade Spa was named one of Spa Magazine’s Favorite Resort + Hotel Spas in Central and South America and was featured in the magazine’s Worldwide Guide 2011 issue. This prestigious Spa Magazine 2010 Silver Sage Readers’ Choice Award highlights Jade Spa’s growing popularity among discerning spa-goers. Jade Spa features rejuvenating massages and treatments – including papaya facials and Mayan coffee scrubs – using natural ingredients sourced locally from the Belizean jungle and sea.

“We are thrilled to receive these significant recognitions from the well-traveled readers of the Condé Nast Johansens guides and Spa Magazine. We aspire to exceed all of our guests’ expectations for a truly unforgettable experience, and it’s great to receive these acknowledgements. These awards support our intentions and propel our commitment to our guests even more,” says Daniel Lighter, proprietor of Matachica.

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Located on the island of Ambergris Caye, Belize, and set on a secluded stretch of natural white-sand beach facing the world’s second-largest barrier reef, Matachica offers a spectacular Caribbean getaway with a signature relaxed attitude and barefoot elegance. Matachica features 24 intimate villas facing the sea, a freshwater infinity pool with Jacuzzi, one of the best restaurants in the country, Mambo Restaurant, as well as Jade Spa, offering a distinctive experience with its own Belizean twist.
www.matachica.com

Congratulations San Mateo Bombers - 6-a-side Tournament Champions!!

The 6-a-side football team San Mateo Bombers took home the top honors this past Sunday when they became the tournament champions. Having bested out the SP Police team (2nd Place), as well as other teams like the Fire Blazers, Tropic Air, SP Strikers, Mario's Boys and Mata Chica Bombers, San Mateo took the lead and 1st place trophy.

Councilor Joseph Elijio was on hand to aid Miss San Pedro Natasha Stuart, as well as Deputy Mayor Pablo Ico in handing out the trophies to the winners. Congratulations once more, and job well done!!!

As always, big up to the referees who were on hand for all the games!

Paving of the Southern Highway

Press Release - Belmopan - February 28th 2011 - A contract signing agreement was signed between the Government of Belize and the Contractor Cisco Construction Ltd at a cost of BZ $47,995,867.50 for the upgrading of the road from Big Falls Village (Dump) to the Belize/Guatemala Border. Funds for the implementation of this projects were sourced from a loan to the Belize Government from the Kuwait Fund for the Arab Economic Development and AFID (OPEC Fund for the International Development)including the Central American Bank for the Economic Integration (CABEI), and counterpart funding contributed by the Government of Belize.

The works consist of upgrading approximately 34KM (23 Miles) to paved standards, the existing road embankment from Big Falls Village –mile 14 (Dump) to a point 1.5km south of Jalacte Village, following the current alignment, which passes through the villages of Mafredi, San Antonio, Santa Cruz, Santa Elena and Pueblo Viejo. The road cross section will comprise of two 3.25 meters of wide lanes with 1 meter wide paved shoulders; this is a total of 8.5 meters surfaced roadway width. All major existing drainage structures (box culverts) and concrete bridges will be rehabilitated to ensure continued service life.

When completed, the highway will serve several objectives and will allow Villages located in the Western part of Toledo District improved access to Punta Gorda and the rest of the country. It will enhance our capacity for commerce and trade from our Central American neighbours and encourages the formal establishments of a second border crossing with Guatemala.