For the first time ever, the Annual Bartica Regatta will feature boat races that will involve female competitors.

Speaking to Stabroek Sport yesterday, event coordinator Winston Miller said two races were planned for females and this would be the first time that such a thing would occur.

He said there would be a 15-horse power (15HP) race for ladies as well as a canoe race. The canoe race, he said, would involve two females manning a single craft.

Miller said there would also be one canoe race for males and like the ladies’ event, only two males would be allowed to operate the vessel.

According to Miller, this would be the first time in the history of the event that canoe races would be staged. He added that it was also the first time for ladies to showcase their talent in power-boat races.

Thirteen boat races are carded for the day’s activity and according to Miller, regatta lovers could expect 13 thrilling, action-packed ev-ents.

He said there would be five races for power boats with engines up to 225 HP, three for boats with engines up to 90 HP and two for boats with engines up to 40 HP.

Miller said the Bartica racers are expecting keen competition from their Pomeroon counterparts, since at last year’s regatta Bartica had dominated the power-boat races.

He also said at last year’s Lake Mainstay Regatta, Barticians came out on top.

Miller said plans were well on stream for the gala event which is slated for April 8 and the organizing committee was currently fine-tuning its plans.

Miller warned that the organizing committee would not allow boat owners/drivers to use aviation fuel in their tanks. This, he said, is prohibited and cautioned that random tests will be carried out. He said in recent years some persons who are known used aviation fuel in their engines and this gave them a definite advantage over boats that used standard gas. “The aviation fuel makes the boat move faster than the boats that use standard gas. This will not be tolerated this year,” Miller warned.

Asked about the other related regatta events, Miller said plans for the much anticipated Bartica Regatta Pageant were well on stream as well as the football, cricket and domino competitions, which, according to Miller, must be completed before April 8. Miller said unlike recent years, this year a beach party will replace the normal street jam.

Asked if the usual high tide would not affect the beach party, Miller said the Bartica Regatta Committee along with the Regional Democratic Council had looked carefully at the tide schedule and had done considerable work on the beach to widen it, as well as to make it much higher so even if there were an unusually high tide, the beach party would not be affected.