Beach-to-Beach Swim 5/26/13

Swimmers jump into the 10th Annual Beach-to-Beach Swim

Ready, Set......SWIM!  Join the fun on Memorial Day Weekend when beginners to advanced swimmers take to the water at Big Maho Beach as part of the 10th Annual Beach-to-Beach Power Swim.  You have your choice of three different abilities:  short course (Maho to Cinnamon) 1mi; intermediate course (Maho to Trunk) 2-1/4mi; or long course (Maho to Hawksnest) 3-1/2mi.

Whichever course you decide on be sure to register before May 24 for the Sunday, May 26 race.....and most importantly show up at the big beach party at the end of the race at Hawksnest Beach.  It makes all that hard work worth it!  For more information see http://friendsvinp.org/race-info or call (340) 779-4940.

Schooner Roseway arrives in St. John this week!

World Ocean School comes to St. John, USVI

Watch the horizons today for the red sails of Schooner Roseway to come billowing in on a broad reach from their home winter port of St. Croix. This Schooner is unique in its mission as The World Ocean School helping students learn more about themselves through experiences at sea.

This week the Roseway will be working with Julius Sprauve School in Cruz Bay and Guy Benjamin School in Coral Bay. as Abby Kidder, co-founder of the non-profit organization puts it, "we offer a platform for students to experience the beauty and inspiration of sailing Roseway through Caribbean waters, bringing academics and community-building to life."

We're happy to welcome this beautiful schooner to St. John waters and enjoy the view as they sail by packed with local students each learning while working aboard a historic tall ship. For more information about the Schooner Roseway click on http://www.worldoceanschool.org.

VI National Park Meeting on St. John Jan. 27

Cinnamon Bay Campground on St. John, USVI

This Sunday, January 27 at 2:00 pm is your chance to learn all you wanted to know about the Virgin Islands National Park.  The Friends of the VI National Park will be holding their annual meeting at the Cinnamon Bay Campground restaurant, so you could even get a swim in before going to this interesting get together.

As a special feature, the meeting will have as is keynote speaker the director of the park system for all of the United States, Jon Jarvis, Director of the National Park Service.  The Friends of the VINP have done an incredible job in fundraising and watching out for the park's interests on St. John over the years, so it will be informative to hear Joe Kessler, the president of the Friends, update us on accomplishment of this last year and plans for the future.

Whether you are an island resident or a visitor, you may want to check out the Friends website http://friendsvinp.org/ for information about St. John and upcoming seminars.  For more information call 340-779-4940.

Christmas Prom on St. John USVI

Mongoose Junction Prom coming up December 15

This Saturday, December 15 marks the 17th annual Christmas Party at Mongoose Junction.  Starting at 9pm The Prom is an event not to be missed by islanders and visitors alike since it celebrates the rare occasion when locals dress up in "island fancy" and dance the night away.

The party is FREE and has become a St. John event ever since it was first established after Hurricane Marilyn hit in 1995 when The Prom made its debut as an effort to rebuild community spirit.  This year the spirit is going strong and will be jiving to the vibes of Ah We Band as well as enjoying food provided by Mongoose Junction restaurants and a champagne bar.

Keep an eye on St. John events posted at http://www.stjohnessence.com/ since the island is in full swing for the season...come join us!

Paddleboarding in St. John USVI

Have you glanced up from the beach lately and seen someone who looks like he or she is walking on water? It's just one more adventurer who has joined the new craze of Stand Up Paddleboarding or SUP as another way to get out on the water while vacationing on St. John.

In addition to being a great workout, it's a fun alternative to snorkeling since you can get incredible views of fish, coral, and the occasional turtle taking a dive down into the depths. The key to the first time out is balance ....you can start on your knees but it really is easier paddling once you stand up.

There are a few options for renting a paddle board or getting a few lessons. One company who has proven itself as the premier kayaking trip leader and guide for St. John USVI is Arawak Expeditions http://www.arawakexp.com/sup.htm. And someone who has started her own business is Karen Jarvis with Love City Paddle Boards (340) 642-9419. Pick a nice calm day and get out on those aqua blue waters!

Sailing on St. John

The annual 2012 St. John racing season is upon us!  Kicked off this weekend with St. John Yacht Club’s 39^th Annual Around St. John Race, the regatta name tells it as it is: a race starting from Two Brothers’ rock formations just outside Cruz Bay harbor and circumnavigating the island of St. John clockwise on a southerly route.  The race took the spinnaker and non-spinnaker class boats about 3 ½ hours to complete and boasts the unique experience of seeing the entire beautiful island of St. John from crystal clear, turquoise waters. Thirteen boats registered for Around St. John this year with the spinnaker class award and raffle award going to Wild ‘Ting, a Dufour 40 out of St. Thomas, and the non-spinnaker award going to Botox Barbie a Hunter 54, also from St. Thomas.  The awards event, held at Banana Deck in Cruz Bay, included a raffle for all entrants.  The prize?  A boat haul-out to any boat yard of choice – a $400 value – not too shabby for a day of racing on pristine St. John waters at 12 knots!  

Nothing fake about this girl: Botox Barbie in a quiet moment 

Wild 'Ting crew -- enjoying their busy 2012 race season!

Regattas competing with regattas?  Also this weekend, the neighboring BVIs’ hosted the multi-day Dark and Stormy Race, usually racing from Tortola to Anegada and back (although this year the “and back” was cancelled -- due to lack of wind!).  Many Coral Bay vessels chose the Dark and Stormy this year -- Around St. John is the longer haul of the two for boats moored in Coral Bay Harbor.

The next Virgin Islands race of the season will be the Coral Bay Yacht Club Commodore’s Cup on Derby weekend May 4-5, 2012.  If you are here on St. John and don’t have your own boat to race, simply show up at the Captain’s meeting and sign up to crew -- most boats won’t refuse extra hands on deck and you will have a unique opportunity to be part of the action, not to mention the unique perspective of enjoying St. John at sea! For more information about the CBYC race call Commodore Steve Hendren 340-513-4955.  St. John Yacht Club information is found at http://www.stjohnyachtclub.org/