Foxy’s Famed Wooden Boat Regatta: 50 Years and Counting!
by Claudia Colli
There are few races as emblematic of the BVI’s carefree racing scene as Foxy’s Wooden Boat Regatta. This year’s 50th edition, to be held on May 24 and 25, promises more of the good times and great racing that has been its enduring legacy.
First launched in 1974, the regatta was the inspiration of Foxy Callwood, the celebrated Jost Van Dyke bar owner and calypsonian – and along with his wife Tessa – the force behind some of the BVI’s most iconic parties.
Foxy Callwood is as unique as the island he was born on. A small mountainous island with only a few hundred year-round residents, Jost Van Dyke, has one main road, a classic Caribbean church, a primary school and numerous sand-in-the-toes beach bars, prime among them, Foxy’s Tamarind Bar. Located on a white sand beach on the eastern most end of Great Harbour, Foxy’s events including his annual New Years bash are internationally renown. Top among these is Foxy’s Wooden Boat Regatta, the event that placed Jost Van Dyke and Foxy Callwood firmly in the annals of Caribbean nautical history.
A Jost Van Dyke native, who grew up in a wattle and daub house, Foxy has charmed multiple generations of sailors as well as the many day trippers arriving by ferry.
Sitting in the bar on a tall stool, Foxy developed a reputation for satirical calypso renditions that would take jabs at local and international politicians and world events. Customers, who lapped up his jaunty tunes and tales, often became the subject of his barbed wit as well – all in good-natured fun that cemented Foxy’s reputation among the yachting community and further afield. Now in his 80s, Foxy sings less, but still mingles with his patrons, sharing quips and stories of present and past times.
A natural restaurateur and barman, Foxy slid into the hospitality business with ease, opening his first bar at the dawn of the free and easy 1970s when yachtsmen flowed into Jost Van Dyke as easily as rum poured into a glass.
The boats in those days were wooden: schooners, Baltic Traders and yawls, harking back to the romantic days of sailing. Owned by sailors with faces chiseled by hard sailing and years in the Caribbean sun, they sailed into Foxy’s from Tortola, St. John and St. Thomas to drink with “The Fox” and listen to his salty stories of island life.
Legend has it that a group of his regular customers, intent on proving their sailing chops, cooked up the first Wooden Boat Regatta over rum and beer. Less than a dozen or so boats sailed in the first regatta, but the after party was awesome and as word got out, more joined the ranks each year.
Over the years, I have participated in many a Wooden Boat Regatta, both on the water and as a land-lubber in the onshore activities. There is always hearty food and breezy vibes. The line at the barbecue buffet is long and the drinks flow freely from the bar. One year that was especially fun for kids and adults was a traditional Virgin Islands “log boat” competition. We brought our own home-made log boat which our sons endeavored to keep upright. It was a true community event.
Today Foxy’s is a far-reaching enterprise that encompasses two restaurants, a boutique and countless activities. Foxy and his wife Tessa met in 1971 on a Transatlantic sail from Europe. Over the years, the spirited Tessa has been active in running the business and helping to organize and promote its many events. Two of the couple’s children, daughter Justine (they have 3 children together) and son Christian currently live on Jost Van Dyke and help in the business.
This year their legacy will continue. An RC boat contest – a modern version of the log boats, will be a new event at the Regatta, that mixes tradition and innovation. These high-tech laser radio control boats make adults into big kids.
In an era where wooden boats are fast disappearing, the Wooden Boat Regatta has now expanded to include a wide variety of boats. Classes include: Wooden Boats, “Spirit of Tradition” and Everything Else.
Organized by the West End Yacht Club, the Regatta will feature two days of racing and lots of the fun activities participants have come to expect. In addition to the RC boats, there will be music, a BBQ and Saturday night party at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar. There will also be a captain’s breakfast and meeting both days.
Not racing? No worries. In addition to the racers, party goers are expected to flock to the island by sail boat and ferry to enjoy this classic event – where good vibes abound.
For more race info contact the [email protected], 1 (284) 442-0086
Also go to the BVI West End Yacht Club’s website:
For more info on Foxy’s Bar go to:
