THE large attendance at the 12th annual Lake Mainstay Regatta points to the success of that Sunday activity; but events were marred by the tragic death of Orin Monty Belle, who sustained severe body injuries in an accident in the first 90-hp speedboat race. All speedboat races were called off thereafter.
Present at the event for the first time as Minister of Tourism, Youth and Culture, Irfaan Ali, who told the gathering of revellers that with the tourism theme — “Rediscover Home” — their arrival decimal has increased; and that only recently, 150 members of a family returned to Guyana for a family reunion.
He said that, as overseas-based Guyanese, those persons chose to return to their former home because of the environment.
Ali said also that the community of Whyaka, the nearest to Lake Mainstay Resort, which is deemed the location where the sweetest pineapples are produced, should be visited by patrons  to get a taste of the fruit as well as make a purchase. Whyaka is deemed Guyana’s prime “pineapple producing community.”
The upbeat minister added that Tourism Ministry personnel have been in partnership with the Lake Mainstay Resort, and have seen the regatta grow over the years. He said the massive attendance on Sunday was testimony to this fact.
He noted that the Director of Lake Mainstay Resort, Mr. Wilfred Jagnarine, has been promoting the destination and somehow managing to sustain the resort with a limited number of staff members. He asked that the resort continue the partnership with the Tourism Ministry for further development.
In declaring the speedboat races open on Sunday, Minister Ali participated in the lap of honour; but the water events were called off during the first race after two speedboats collided, causing popular racer Orin Monty Belle of Bartica to lose his life.
Meanwhile, Mainstay/Whyaka Village Toshao Joel Fredericks told the excited crowd on Sunday that, as the newly-elected Toshao, he recently attended the National Toshaos Conference and advocated for an airport to be established there and for roads to be repaired for easy access to the village.
He stated that the Lake Mainstay Resort is a prime destination for tourists, and has great potential for sporting activities; hence the resort operators are working with the Tourism Ministry to improve the resort’s tourism prospects.
On Sunday Lake Mainstay Resort was filled almost to capacity as hundreds arrived for the regatta, the feature activity at the location; but only five speedboat races took place, because of the accident which claimed the life of Orin Monty Belle.
The stage show went on as planned, because some patrons refused to leave the resort after the tragic accident. They stayed on to gyrate to popular songs sung by Terry Gajraj and local artistes: Big Red and Fiona Singh. They stayed back to be entertained by well-known comedian Lindon “Jumbie” Jones, who was also there to emcee the event.
The event was also graced by the presence of Miss Canada 2012, Jaclyn Miles, who was a first-time visitor there.