At 9:30 a.m. Sunday, May 23, Magens Bay will again be filled with the sight of strange watercraft known as ‘Royaks' and the sounds of solid competition between teams of businesses that support the annual event that supports the V.I. Council, Boy Scouts of America.
So far 19 teams have signed up to compete in the 12th annual Royak Regatta on St. Thomas, according to John Nowak, scout executive. The regatta is sponsored by the V.I. Telephone Corp.
But many more teams are needed. "We can accommodate up to 54 teams comfortably," Nowak said.
The defending champion team is the V.I. America's Cup Challenge.
"We still need youth groups to compete," Nowak said. "Some businesses who want to support the event can't get a team together, so for $250 they can support a youth group."
There are two divisions for the young people — juniors who are 11, 12 and 13 and seniors who are 14, 15 and 16.
"Once they reach 17 we figure they are old enough to compete with the adults," Nowak said. "Actually they are better than some of the older adults."
The Royak vessels "are a combination of kayaks and canoes," Nowak said. "They were invented by a man named Roy Grabenauer. That's where the name came from."
Nowak said the annual event, including the underwriting from Vitelco, raises about $30,000 for the Boy Scouts locally.
For more information call Nowak at 774-2752.