Nauticopa Boat Races 2008

The Nauticopa boat races were held here on Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th, we decided that we didn't want to go both days so we waited until Sunday to go.
We took our lawn chairs and sat up on the cement border that separates the malecón from the rocks at the water of the bay. Perfect seats. It was hot sitting in the sun though as it was 35 C. (about 95 F.). They did have shade areas set up but we wanted ring side seats so took the sun. As we sat down a policeman came over to talk to us, I thought he was going to tell us that we couldn't sit there; but he just wanted to chat. We chatted back and forth with him for quite awhile as we waited for the action to begin. There were quite a few people there to watch and of course lots of places set up to get food and drinks from.
As starting time got closer more people crowded in and we were glad that we had gone early and gotten a good place to sit. There was a little boy of maybe 2 or 3 yrs. old, he could talk already anyway, he was standing up on the cement border right behind our chairs and talking a blue streak to us. He was so cute, he had some candies and offered to share with us. We were afraid that he was going to tumble off the cement so asked his mom if he could come forward and sit between our feet. She didn't mind and he was quite happy. The tourist pirate boat motored into a good viewing place in the bay so I showed him and then he had to go back to his mother to show her the pirate boat. When I asked him if he liked the pirates he looked very solemn so I asked if he was afraid of them and he very seriously said, "yes". He was so funny jabbering to us and looking/waving at the boats when we pointed things out to him. He made the waiting time go quickly and enjoyably for us.
The races started and we enjoyed being able to see so well. Last year we had gone on the first day and the heats had been run a bit differently than they were this year; but maybe the final day things are different. Anyway some of the races had 10 boats in them. Fun to watch; but I was never sure who was the winner, as some were so fast that they lapped the slower ones. Interesting to watch. We stayed for about 3 hrs. and then decided that we had had enough both of the sun and the races so headed home.
More pictures and videos here .

Nauticopa Boat Races

Nauticopa Boat Races

Today was the first day of the Nauticopa Boat Races that are being held here in the Guaymas Bay. The schedule said that the first race was to begin at 1 PM so we headed uptown to the bay to be there in time for that.
We arrived at the Plaza de Pescador and sat around looking out over the water, one of the boats came out and did a few practice rounds. Not long after that the police told everyone that was there that we would have to move over to where they have done the filling, in the bay area. They told us that there were chairs and shade areas and sent us all on our way.
At the new area that they have filled in they had bleachers set up, the usual pop and beer stands and of course some nice large speakers blasting out music. We sat on the bleachers for awhile and then we noticed that people were getting plastic chairs from an area and sitting closer to the fence at the edge of the bay. Roy went over and got us a couple of chairs and we moved as close to the fence as the police would allow. The police were out in force and we noticed what must be the head policeman, sorry don't know what you would call him here. As he approached all his men, they would salute him, so we knew he was a "higher up". A short time later this fellow seemed to be escorting another fellow around, the second fellow was shaking everyones hands and saying hello to all. I didn't realize who he was until the girl next to us asked if she could have her picture taken with him. Then I clued in, it was the mayor of Guaymas, Lic. Antonio Francisco Astiazaran Gutierrez, so now we can say we shook the mayors hand. He is usually wearing a suit and today he was dressed quite casually, so I never thought of it being him at first. There was also a fellow who we assumed was with the state government as he was wearing the usual red shirt with the Sonora logo on that they seem to favor at events.
A few of the boats came out and did practice runs; but they didn't seem interested in starting the races.
A practice run.



Finally around 3 PM, the police all moved away from the fence and there was a big rush by everyone trying to get front row seats. Pretty funny. We moved, along with everyone else and managed to snag 2 spots right in front of the fence. Lucky us.
The fence which we got to sit right in front of, best seats in the place. I took the picture before it got really busy.

The races started and were quite interesting. We had never seen boat races like this before and we enjoyed watching. I have no idea how fast they were traveling; but they were moving fast! There were no crashes while we watched; although we did leave before they were over. An interesting afternoon. More photos here: More Photos

A video of one of the races.

Nauticopa Boat Races

Nauticopa Boat Races

The Nauticopa boat races are to be held in Guaymas on November 3 & 4 this year. Fox Sports will be here to film it and they are expecting an influx of 10 to 15 thousand people. I have been able to find a schedule of the events; Schedule ; but not an exact place where you can go and watch. Go figure. I will keep watching the newspapers, etc., as we would like to go and see some of the races.
Photo taken from La Voz del Puerto newspaper.