14.27.933N   060.52.447W

Diamond Rock

There is always something to watch at Marin as there are always boats coming and going although it was obvious that perhaps hundreds of charter boats, mainly catamarans were tied up not going anywhere!

The yachts in the anchorage are mainly French with a very large number left unoccupied. Many of the yachts are run down and have maybe not been to sea for a while!

Club Med at Le Marin

Local Market

One of the supermarkets has its own dinghy dock which is ideal for stocking up but we were a bit disappointed with stock levels and variety- our favourite smoked fish which we had in “ Gwada” was nowhere to be seen here!

A pleasant trip ashore on Saturday for a meal at “Mango Bay” where we indulged in Moules et Frites- Lynn’s with a coconut curry sauce and mine with Roquefort!

We had moved our anchoring position slightly as we had been told to move as there was a regatta on Sunday!

We walked ashore on Sunday morning and investigated the “Yoles” which were setting up on the shore. The boats arrive on lorries with spare masts and sprits and are manually lifted off by their crews and shore support teams. Meanwhile the food and drink stands are setting up and there is big lorry trailer with speakers and DJ which all Saturday had been playing local music – very loud but plenty of rhythm and excitement .

Stepping the rig                                                                                                     Just before the start!

The “Yoles” will not stay upright with their masts up and they are heeled over to step the rigs and then held upright before the “Le Mans” start from the beach.

The start!

Meanwhile there are demonstrations of security dogs and also local dancing which was reminiscent of ‘village hall’ country dancing!

In the first race they sailed with 2 masts and it was windier in the afternoon so they just sailed with one. It takes 3 people to handle the steering oar, two use trapezes from the masthead instead of shrouds (!) and several sit or hang out on skidding poles. Tacking is a slow operation ! The race is close and there is great interest from the shore- possibly with some betting!

Morning start with two masts                                                                             Afternoon race – sailing past “Moonbeam”