THOUSANDS of water-sports enthusiasts are expected to descend once again on the twin community of Mainstay/Whyaka on the Essequibo Coast to participate in the first ever National Boating and Swimming Championships slated for the Lake Mainstay Resort. The event, dubbed the ‘Open-Water Fiesta’, was organized by the Guyana Canoe Federation (GCF) to coincide with Amerindian Heritage Month 2011 celebrations and as such, will be set in the beautiful and hospitable Amerindian settlement of Mainstay/Whyaka.
Just last month, the community hosted the 11th Annual Lake Mainstay Regatta, which was nothing short of spectacular, as more than 6000 spectators lined the white-sand beaches of the resort to join in the fun-filled programme.
Visitors today can expect to be swept away once again, not just by the excitement of the planned event, but by the warmth and generosity of the community members, who welcome all guests with open arms and enthusiasm.
The event, held in association with the Guyana Olympic Association, will bring together all ten clubs within the organisation, including Lake Mainstay, Wakapao, Kabakaburi, Linden, Sand Hills, Santa Mission, Aliki, Bonasika, Demerara and St. Monica at the location which has been deemed suitable for the growth of the sport.
GCF President, Mr. Ananta Alva and Public Relations Officer (PRO), Ms. Onica Harrison recently met with Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Mr. Manniram Prashad at his South Road office to bring him up to speed on plans for the much anticipated event.
After hearing what they had to say, Minister Prashad noted that the ‘Fiesta’ was indeed a “good initiative” which can add to the attractiveness of our tourism product, particularly in those hinterland communities where community-based tourism is being promoted and where conditions are suitable for the sport to grow.
According to the minister, the event can grow and eventually contribute to  bolstering  domestic tourism and tourism as a whole, as Guyana is now on the map and increasingly being recognised internationally for its ecology, nature and adventure-based tourism.
As to the choice of venue for the activity, Mr. Alva explained that the Mainstay/Whyaka community was found to be the most suitable as it is a beautiful Amerindian village.
He noted that it has taken five long years of dedicated work to get to this point of having the established clubs and participants ready to take part in the event, and stressed that the Federation is working to ensure its success.
The Federation will be launching its new competitive boats for flat-water racing, some locally built and some generously donated to the organization by the ICF (International Canoe Federation), he added.
The GCF was formed to develop the water sports of canoeing and kayaking within Guyana, with   the motto ‘Promoting Sport; Developing Our Hinterland’.
Minister Prashad extended best wishes to the organizers of the event, which is anticipated to be a fun-filled day of championship boating and swimming for the entire family.