Boat Racing Season is Here
Discover Anguilla’s most celebrated national sport. Immerse yourself into the excitement of this year’s boat racing season by attending A Class and B Class racing events, available February through mid-August.
Join us for Whit Monday at Malliouhana
Monday, June 9
Malliouhana Mount Gay Whit Monday Boat Race
Malliouhana is proud to host its annual A Class boat racing event at Leon’s at Meads Bay. Enjoy a fun-filled line-up of local traditions and vibrant experiences including live entertainment, prize raffles, delicious island-fare and specialty cocktails from our new Leon’s menu, fun beach activities such as model boat racing, sandcastle building, and much more.
- Leon’s at Meads Bay | 12 PM – 9 PM
- No reservations required
Boat Racing Calendar 2025
March 3 – James Ronald Webster
- B Class | Sandy Ground
- This race is named in honor of the Father of Our Nation, Mr. James Ronald Webster an Anguillian politician who led the island territory following the dissolution of the Saint Christopher, Nevis, and Anguilla Federation.
March 9 – 18 Degrees
- B Class | Sandy Ground
- Also part of the 18 Degrees and Community Restaurants and Groups, this race was part of the Sandy Ground Seafood Experience showcasing our B Class racing boats.
April 6 – 18 Degrees
- B Class | Sandy Ground
- Part of the 18 Degrees and Community Restaurants and Groups showcasing our B Class racing boats.
April 13 – Johnnos & 18 Degrees Easter Warm Up
- A Class | Sandy Ground
- Now led by North Hill/Sandy Ground and 18 Degrees Group, Easter Warm Up was originally called the Johnno’s Race, giving the boats a chance to regroup and get ready for the longest race on the boat race calendar—Easter Monday.
April 20 – Festival Del Mar
- B Class | Island Harbour
- Festival Del Mar is the biggest two-day seafood experience event on the island of Anguilla. Located in Island Harbour, the B Class sailing boats and Model boats showcase our National sport.
April 21 – Egbert Connor (Easter Monday)
- A Class | Sandy Ground
- 2025 marks 32 years for this race, the longest in which the captains and crews of A Class boats compete to see who can sail the fastest. The Connor family established this race to commemorate Mr. Connor and continue his legacy.
May 5 – Karl T. Smith
- B Class | Island Harbour
- This race was introduced by the family of Karl T. Smith to honor his legacy and his deep passion for our National sport.
May 30 – Anguilla Day (Premier’s Cup)
- A Class | Sandy Ground
- The 2nd longest race in boat race history, Anguilla day is celebrated by our National sport so we as Anguillan’s can remember and celebrate when we separated from St. Kitts and Nevis.
June 7 – West Fest
- B Class | Sandy Ground
- West Fest is organized by one of the West End community groups and brought back by the Anguilla Boat Racing Association.
June 9 – Malliouhana Mount Gay Whit Monday
- A Class | Meads Bay
- Boat Racing is a staple in Anguilla’s culture, and Malliouhana is delighted to contribute to this local tradition. Leon’s at Meads Bay was honored to revive the Whit Monday Boat Race after 6 years commencing in May, 2023.
June 15 – Albert “Belto” Hughes Memorial
- A Class | Meads Bay
- Albert Hughes was a politician, a respected member of the community, a father, a brother, a husband, and the former owner of the Light & Peace, among many other things. His family is honoring his legacy by holding the fourth annual Albert Hughes Memorial race this year.
June 16 – King’s Day
- A Class | Meads Bay
- This A Class race is held in honor of our king, King Charles.
July 6 – Albert Romney Memorial
- A Class | Sandy Ground
- On July 2, 1919, a great pioneer and experienced Captain and Forward Man was born in the history of Boat racing. The first Sunday on July 7th 2019, his family introduced an A Class Boat Race in his honor for his 100th birthday anniversary.
July 14 – Marigot FETE
- B Class | Sandy Ground
- Known as the Marigot SXM fete.
July 21 – Grand Case SXM FETE
- B Class | Grand Case SXM
- Known as the Grand Case SXM Fete.
July 27 – Pioneers & Peter Perkins
- A & B Class | Sandy Ground
- Pioneers: Organized under 18 Degrees Group, this race was created to help the B class boats showcase their talent pre-carnival as part of a weekend that honors previous Sailors from Sandy Ground, North Hill and South Hill communities.
- Peter Perkins: A former racer of De TREE, the family decided to host this race to honour his memory. 18 Degrees Group later took over and joined it with the Pioneers race.
August 3 – 11 – August Sunday
- A & B Class | Sandy Ground
- Celebrating the 51st year of carnival this year, boat race season comes alive having 6 A Class races and 4 B Class races. After August Thursday the boat with the most points throughout the year is crowned BOAT OF THE YEAR and the Sunday (10th) will be crowned CHAMPION OF CHAMPION where boats that placed TOP 5 through August 3rd-7th will only be allowed to compete for this title.
