The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IN keeping the memory of their father alive, the family of the late Eleazor ‘the Sailing Barber’ Johnson will continue with the 36th edition of the St Valentine’s Day Regatta in Montagu Bay next weekend.

Brothers Trevor and Eleazor (Jr) Johnson were on hand at the Island Gal on Bernard Road yesterday with sponsor Gary Christie of Cuba Libre and Streetside Pizza as well as entertainers DJ Rev and D Mac to promote the event.

Trevor Johnson, speaking on behalf of his family, said they are delighted to stage the event over the weekend of February 18-19 in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine’s Regatta Desk.

With the Lady in Red Lady Nathalie undergoing some minor repairs, Trevor Johnson said there will be no “Catch Me If You Can” challenge race between their father’s legendary B boat and the A Class sloop this year.

Instead, he said the emphasis will be on the C and E class sailing where sloops such as the Dream Girl, Whisper, the Cobra, Lady Eunice, San Sally, Flash and Unca John will be among the list of boats participating.

With onshore action getting underway as early as noon on both Saturday and Sunday, Johnson said they will have a variety of native dishes on sale and the Junior Achievement Company BOB Evolved will be selling their products.

Each night, there will be live entertainment by a group of local entertainers, including D Mac, Blaudy, Nishsi, Veronica Bishop, Melody, Ira Storr backed by the Chad Collie band.

“This is a stepping stone for us to do some much-needed repairs for other regattas to come,” Johnson said. “This is the first regatta being held since our father passed, so we want everyone to come on board and help us keep his legacy alive.”

Gary Christie said as sponsors, Cuba Libre is thrilled to be involved with the Johnson family to assist in the continuation of an event that their father Eleazor Johnson made it an institution.

“While I never met Mr Johnson personally, I’m old enough to remember him as a hard mouth regatta man, who believed that he was the best sailor in the world,” Christie said. “I don’t know if he was, but he certainly made you think that he was. “So it’s really a privilege for Cube Libre and Streetside Pizza to associate with your family and to assist you in this event.

“Regattas are our cultural and major sporting events in our country now with the introduction of cultural food and music. We hope that we are cementing what could be a long-time mutual agreement.”

Having been associated with the event for the past 15-20 years, DJ Rev said he could be considered a part of the Johnson family and so he’s made it a point to mark it on his calendar every year as an event to participate in.

“I will be providing the onshore entertainment and I’m happy to see that this year they have extended it and are taking it to the next level with the introduction of the Bahamian concert,” he stated.

“So, this year, we have a big lineup for you. It’s going to be a big show, nice down home, clean rake-and-scrape fun and good entertainment, so make sure that you are down there on Montagu (foreshore) on February 18 and 19.

“It’s going to be nice. So come on down and be a part of the activities.”

This marks the first regatta since the death of ‘Barber J’ Johnson in January 2019 at the age of 80. Trevor Johnson said after watching their father work so hard to gain the notoriety in getting the event on the calendar of the Regatta Desk, they could not allow his vision to go down the drain.

“As long as I’m alive and as long as my brothers are alive, we will continue with his legacy,” said Trevor, who followed Eleazor Jr and Sherman Johnson, who have all participated in sailing on the Lady Nathalie in the past.