New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
7th Annual International Azorean Whaleboat Regatta; Five days of activities!
Excitement is building for the 7th Annual International Azorean Whaleboat Regatta in New Bedford, MA. Don’t miss the thrilling rowing and sailing races, engaging lectures, and opportunities to meet sailors and visitors from the Azores.
Join us for the launch of Xico (pronounced “She-coo”) and meet the author and illustrator! Sail away on an adventure with Xico, a young Azorean boy who stows away aboard a 19th century whaleship. As he and the crew of the Moonbeam search for whales in the Pacific and Arctic, he learns the ropes, encounters new cultures, and makes a most unusual friend along the way. An educational and entertaining read for the whole family! Author and illustrator David Blanchette will do a public reading and book signing. He will also talk about his art and the studio methods he employs.
Regatta Schedule
Wednesday, September 4th
6:30 p.m. Free Public Film Premier: “Whales to Whalers” directed by Luís Filipe da Silva Bicudo. Whaling Museum Theater
Thursday, September 5th
6:00 p.m. Free Public Lecture: “The Sea of the Azores,” by Filipe Mora Porteiro, Ph.D., Director of the Observatório do Mar dos Açores. Whaling Museum Theater.
Friday, September 6th
10:00 a.m. – Early Afternoon. Azorean Whaleboat Rowing Competitions, Men’s & Women’s, Clark’s Cove
6:00 p.m. Free Public Lecture: “The Azores – A destination where the days are never the same” by Rui Amen, Azores Promotion Board. Are you considering a trip to the Azores? Don’t miss this presentation! Whaling Museum Theater
Saturday, September 7th
9:00 a.m – Early Afternoon. All Sailing, Men’s and Women’s, Competitions, Clark’s Cove
Sunday, September 8th
9:00 a.m – Early Afternoon. The DABNEY CUP – Azorean vs. Yankee Whaleboat Race. This race will feature three Azorean whaleboats racing against three newly constructed Yankee whaleboats, including the Museum’s own Beetle whaleboat. Come cheer on the Whaling Museum crew! Clark’s Cove
5:00 p.m. Awards Party with buffet and entertainment at the Whaling Museum. $15.00 per ticket, which must be reserved in advance. For tickets, call Luzo Auto at (508) 997-3941.
The races are in Clark’s Cove, New Bedford and best viewed from the Coral St. Boat Ramp on West Rodney French Blvd. The regatta tent is located near the boat ramp and restroom facilities are available. Bring a lawn chair. Related programs and the award ceremony will take place at the Whaling Museum.
Museum programming for the Regatta is sponsored by the William M. Wood Foundation. 2 page flyer in .pdf format can be found here.
