BERMUDA so much more

2nd Annual Bermuda Highland Games

June 14-22, 2013

Saltus Field, Saltus Grammar School, 108 St. John’s Road, Pembroke

The Caledonian Society of Bermuda presents the second Bermuda Highland Games, a fun-filled family event, featuring marching Scottish pipers and band performances by the Bermuda Island Pipe Band, the Somerset Brigade Band and the Bermuda Regiment. The guest pipe band is the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Pipe Band and Dancers. We will also welcome the Edinburgh Tattoo famous Schiehallion Dancers from Ontario and the MacKenzie Dancers from Nova Scotia. Make an afternoon or evening of it!

Highland Games include: Tossing the Caber, field races and the 50 yard kilted running race, a 5K run/walk, children's running race, Tug o' War, Kiddie Land and more. Also scheduled, Highland dance competitions with international judging and grading.

Registration for teams of Tug O’ War, races and the walk starts May 1, 2013, visit: www.caledoniansocietyofbermuda.com

THE SCHEDULE

2:30pm Field opens

3:00pm Massed bands enter the show field and His Excellency the Governor opens the 2nd Bermuda Highland Games

3:30pm - 7:30pm The Games begin along with dancing competitions, piping displays and more

5:00pm The Highland Run (registration is required)

8:30pm Cameo Spotlight - The Schiehallion Dancers

9:00pm The massed bands’ Beat Retreat Finale

Admission: $5.00; free for children under 12 years

Host hotel: The Fairmont Hamilton Princess with a preferred guest rate. Visit their website for details and information: www.resweb.passkey.com/go/bermudahighlandgames

ENQUIRIES:

Elizabeth Ward, Executive Choice Bermuda, tel 441 704 0631, email emw@ecbermuda.com

Marion to Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race

June 14-22, 2013

Buzzard Bay, Massachusetts to St. David’s Head, St. George’s

This race is open to amateur cruising yachts. Participants have the opportunity to compete in an open ocean passage with a group of friendly competitors. A life experience that can bridge the gap between generations, solidify friendships and foster teamwork, all while promoting seamanship and the love of sailing. Host club, the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club.

The race begins in the best sailing waters in the northeast, Buzzards Bay; the start off the picturesque and historic town Marion, Massachusetts, USA. The length of the course is 645 nautical miles and finishes off St. David’s Head, Bermuda, a few days later.

ENQUIRIES:

Sandy Gascoigne, Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club, 25 Pomander Road, Paget, tel 441 236 2250, email secretary@rhadc.bm or websites www.rhadc.bm or www.marionbermuda.com

Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship

July 3-21, 2013,

Host Hotel: Fairmont Hamilton Princess, 76 Pitt’s Bay Road, Pembroke Weigh-ins: the Barr’s Bay Park Waterfront, Pitt’s Bay Road, Pembroke

These events are a part of the Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship. For daily video and results visit, www.bermudatriplecrown.com. Visitors can view the day’s catch at Barr’s Bay Park Waterfront, Pitt’s Bay Road, Pembroke.

Bermuda Billfish Blast: July 3 – 7

Bermuda Big Game Classic: July 10 – 14

Sea Horse Anglers Club Billfish Tournament: July 17 - 21 The Sea Horse Anglers Club Billfish Tournament is the oldest Bermudian billfish event and the final leg of the Triple Crown.

Team Registration and full details visit: www.bermudatriplecrown.com

ENQUIRIES:

Dan Jacobs, Tournament Director, tel 407 571 4680, email dan.jacobs@bonniercorp.com or website www.bermudatriplecrown.com

International Optimist Dinghy Association North American Championships

July 3-11, 2013

Races held in the Great Sound

Bermuda is proud to host this year's International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA) North American Championships. Commonly knows as 'Optinam', this continental championship sees approximately 170 youth sailors from over 15 different countries compete on the pristine waters of the Great Sound.

The 2013 Optinam is hosted by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and run by volunteers from the Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association (BODA). This event was last held in Bermuda in 2002; it was started in 1989. The regatta is sailed using the International Optimist dinghy, the best known and most popular single-handed youth sailboat in the world.

ENQUIRIES:

Anthony Bailey, President, Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association, email anthonybailey@ibl.bm or web www.optinam2013.org.

NatWest Island Games

July 13-19, 2013

Held at various locations island wide

Come out and cheer for the 2,000 athletes who are expected to attend the NatWest Island Games 2013 in Bermuda.

The International Island Games was founded in the Isle of Man in 1985 and today include 24 member islands in, or associated with, the nine sovereign nations of Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the UK, plus the Caribbean. The Islands come together every two years to compete in friendly competition that ranges up to 14 sports chosen by the host Island from an approved list of 18.

Since 1999, NatWest has been the title sponsor for the Island Games, which have become one of the largest international multi-sport events in the world behind the Commonwealth Games and Olympics.

Spectators welcome.

ENQUIRIES:

Jon Beard, Chairman, Bermuda Island Games Association, tel 441 504 9901, email jbeard@saltus.bm or website www.natwestislandgames2013.com

Bermuda Anglers Club 4-Day International Light Tackle Tournament

July 16-22, 2013

Barr’s Bay Park, Pitts Bay Road, Pembroke (City of Hamilton)

This is an invitational light tackle (12 lbs and 16 lbs) 4-day fishing tournament with three people on each team. Each day, fishing takes place on a boat rotation.

Visitors can view the days’ catch at the weigh-ins at Barr's Bay Park from 4:30pm – 6:30pm on the fishing days, which are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

For more information, visit www.bermudanglersclub.com or www.ilttbermuda.com

ENQUIRIES:

Bermuda Anglers Club, tel 441 293 0875, email Bermudaanglersclub@bermuda.com or website www.bermudanglersclub.com

Cup Match Summer Splash 2013

August 1-4, 2013

Island wide

Bermuda's ultimate summer event, Cup Match Summer Splash, features a series of fun and exciting events highlighting Bermuda's rich cultural traditions, beaches and breathtaking water vistas.

SCHEDULE
Cup Match Cricket Festival: Thursday, August 1 and Friday, August 2; 10:00am - 6:00pm
St. George's Cricket Club
Join us this year at our Cup Match Visitors' Stall where you can sit back, relax and enjoy complimentary refreshments while watching Bermuda's most festive 2-day cricket event.

Visitors' Tent at Beachfest: Thursday, August 1; 12:00 noon - 7:00pm
Horseshoe Bay, Southampton
Don't miss BeachFest, Bermuda's largest beach event of the year featuring live performances by local artists, beach games and non-stop fun.

Soca vs Reggae Cup Match After Party: Friday, August 2; 10:00pm - 3:00am
St. George's
The fun continues at Bermuda's top Cup Match Summer Splash nightlife event which features overseas and local Soca and Reggae DJs playing all the top hits.

Sunset Swizzle Cruise: Saturday, August 3; 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Departs Albuoy's Point, City of Hamilton
Admission: Free | cash bar
The Department of Tourism's complimentary* cruise that takes in coastline vistas before watching the beautiful sunset.

Non-Mariners' Cruise: Sunday, August 4; 11:00am - 6:00pm
Departs Albuoy's Point, City of Hamilton
Admission: Free | complimentary lunch | cash bar
Cup Match Summer Splash ends on Sunday with a complimentary* cruise to the biggest water raft-up party in Bermuda you will never forget, the annual Non-Mariners' Race in Mangrove Bay.

*Note: space on the cruises is on a first come, first served basis. Visitors must provide their names and place of accommodation when they RSVP.

ENQUIRIES:

Tashae Thompson, tel 441 292 0023 or email tcthompson@gov.bm

6th Bermuda ITF Beach Tennis International Tournament

August 23-25, 2013

Tournament venue: Horseshoe Bay Beach, Southampton
Host hotel: Fairmont Southampton, 101 South Road, Southampton

This year marks the 6th year of Beach Tennis in Bermuda. See the world’s best players from Italy, Brazil, USA and Aruba as they compete for $10,000 prize money in the PRO Division.

The Prize Purse for the Professional Division is split evenly between the men and ladies. 1st Place $2,500.00; 2nd Place $1,250.00; 3rd Place $750.00; and, 4th Place $500.00. Prizes from local merchants and restaurants are given to the amateur places in the top three of each division.

Beach Tennis is played with paddles and a decompressed tennis ball and the scoring is the same as tennis. The game format for Bermuda is doubles and there are both a men’s and ladies’ professional tournament and an amateur tournament that also includes mixed doubles.

To participate, visit www.bermudabeachtennis.com

Hotel Package: Special Beach Tennis room rate of only $99.50 per person based on double occupancy (rates apply between August 19 - August 30)

Hotel reservation link:
https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=10629076

Spectator viewing is welcome; tournament admission is free.

ENQUIRIES:

Tony Brannon, Bermuda Beach Tennis, email tony@bermuda.com or website www.bermudabeachtennis.com

18th Annual Bermuda Sand Sculpture Competition

August 29-31, 2013,

Horseshoe Bay Beach, Southampton

Join us for an exciting day on Bermuda’s famous sun drenched beach, Horseshoe Bay to create your sand sculpture or see who makes the best sculpture.

THE SCHEDULE

August 29 & 30 - Sand Sculpting Clinics, 6:00pm-7:00pm, learn the tips, tricks, tools and techniques.

August 31 - Bermuda Sand Sculpture Competition, sculpting 10:00am-4:00pm, judging and awards presentation to follow with many prizes to be won.

Categories: Families; Children 12 years and under; Teenagers 13-19 years, Open; Company/Organisation; Tourist

Rules: Building time limit is 10:00am-4:00pm; building lot area 12‘ x 12’; one category per team; teams of up to six people only.

Judging and Prizes: A panel of three judges begin the judging at 4:00pm. Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in all categories. Cash prizes also awarded for the best amateur sand sculpture in the competition.

How to enter: complete the entry form and drop it off at the Department of Tourism office. You can also enter via email.

Admission: Entry to participate is free, however, please submit entry form to the Department of Tourism office. Spectators are welcome.

ENQUIRIES:

Nicky Gurret, tel 441 295 4597 or Jamal Hart, Bermuda Department of Tourism, Global House, 43 Church Street, Hamilton HM 12 tel 441 292 0023, email bermudasandsculpture@bermudatourism.com or website www.GoToBermuda.com

Argo Group Gold Cup (Yacht Match Racing)

October 7-13, 2013

Match racing course in Hamilton Harbour. Host club, the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.

The 2013 Argo Group Gold Cup stands as the 7th penultimate stage of the Alpari World Match Racing Tour. Teams from 16 nations compete in the King Edward VII Gold Cup, the world’s oldest match-racing trophy for competition in One Design yachts.

The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC) restaurant and bar facilities are open to the public during this regatta. Spectators may watch the action from the shoreline of Hamilton Harbour between RBYC’s marina and The Fairmont Hamilton Princess.

Spectator admission: Free

ENQUIRIES:

Sailing Secretary, Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, Point Pleasant Road, Hamilton HM 11, tel 441 294 6716, email sailingoffice@rbyc.bm or websites www.rbyc.bm or www.bermudagoldcup.com

23rd Annual Round the Sound Swimathon

October 11-13, 2013

Harrington Sound, Hamilton Parish

Open water swimmers compete at various distances (10K, 7.25K, 4K, 2K and 0.8K) in the beautiful waters of Harrington Sound. Fun social events are a part of this great weekend in paradise. Come for the swim and enjoy all Bermuda has to offer. All off-island participants must register with Aqua Moon Adventures. For schedule, entry fees and category information please visit, www.aquamoonadventures.com.

Grotto Bay Beach Resort is the official event resort and has offered a discounted event rate for overseas participants of the Round the Sound Swimathon. For complete details, telephone 1 800 582 3190 or visit, www.GrottoBay.com.

ENQUIRIES:

Overseas contact: Randy Nutt, email info@RandyNutt.com or website www.aquamoonadventures.com.
Local contact: Patty Hill, tel 441 238 0652 or 441 704 2843, email jjproduce@transact.bm or visit www.roundthesound.bm or www.dolphins.bm.

PGA Grand Slam of Golf 2013

October 14-16, 2013

Port Royal Golf Course, Port Royal Drive, Southampton

The PGA Grand Slam of Golf, the season-ending showcase event that boasts the most difficult qualification requirement in the game—a major championship, ie, winners of the Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship—will be televised by TNT to a worldwide audience.

Adam Scott, the first Australian to win this year’s The Masters, has qualified to play the 2013 PGA Grand Slam!

The PGA Grand Slam of Golf is hosted by the Bermuda Department of Tourism, Port Royal Golf Course, ranked by Golf Digest as the world’s best public course, and the Fairmont Southampton.

ENQUIRIES:

For ticket prices and updated information, visit www.pga.com

World Rugby Classic 2013

November 9-16, 2013

National Sports Centre, Frog Lane, Devonshire

The World Rugby Classic is generally considered to be one of the most enjoyable events on the rugby calendar with 10 international matches played during the week but scheduled so as to allow plenty of time to enjoy Bermuda's beaches, golf courses and other many attractions.

Visit www.worldrugby.com for details and updated schedule of events.

Ticket purchasing options:

• via email to JKane@avondale.bm (tickets will be either delivered to the hotel or for collection at the gate);
• on-island beginning mid-September from The Island Shop, Queen Street, Hamilton, tel 441 292 5292;
• or online via www.worldrugby.bm

ENQUIRIES:

John Kane, President, World Rugby Classic Ltd., P.O. Box HM 2267, Hamilton HM JX, tel 441 295 6574, email JKane@avondale.bm or website www.worldrugby.bm

Bermuda Goodwill Golf Tournament

December 9-13, 2013, 9:00am shotgun start

Port Royal Golf Course, Riddell’s Bay Golf & Country Club, Mid Ocean Club and Tucker’s Point Golf Club

This 72-hole Stroke Play tournament is steeped in history—it’s the oldest PRO-AM tournament in the world.

Played on four of Bermuda's most prestigious and beautiful golf courses, including the historic Mid Ocean Club and the Port Royal Golf Course, home of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf Championship, this tournament sees teams from the US, Canada and England participating.

Entry fees, the event schedule and to participate: www.bermudagoodwill.bm.

Entry deadline: November 8, 2013

The ‘Bermuda Goodwill Circle’ sees retail stores, restaurants and bars offering discounts or value-added opportunities to purchase items and experience Bermuda’s hospitality.

Spectator admission: Free—spectator viewing welcome

ENQUIRIES:

Bermuda Golf Association, 31 Victoria Street, Hamilton HM 10, tel 441 295 9972, email goodwill@bermudagolf.org or website: www.bermudagoodwill.bm