Regatta
THE VIKINGS ARE COMING, THE VIKINGS ARE COMING!
If you have never been to a Sons of Norway Viking Boat Regatta, you are in for a real treat. Thanks to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, we now have a location for this event. The Norfolk Botanical Gardens are excited about working with us to have a Viking Boat festival, where, we have been assured, the weather will be perfect and the competitive spirit fierce at all times. We invite you to wear your Viking attire for this fun event.<\p>
The race itself will be about one-quarter to a half-mile in length and the course will be set in a diamond shape. Boat Captains will draw for position. Once the horn is blown, the crews will put muscle power to the oars and with lightning speed head for the first buoy all the while the helmsman shouts encouragement, "stroke, stroke." (Although in Florida shouting "stroke" isn't always a good idea.) As the teams round the first buoy the oars are brought into the boat and sails are raised with skill and deftness for the second and third legs of the race. Boats will skillfully try to "take-away" another boat's wind or using their own sailing skills will pass to take the lead. As a team approaches the fourth and final leg the excitement really builds as the helmsman or captain prepares the crew to lower the sail, once done the crew quickly puts the oars in the water and with all their might, grunting and groaning, race to the finish line. With the crowds roaring and shouting encouragement, one Viking boat and crew will win the day. Now! What could be more exciting than that!
We may find it necessary to kidnap a few attendees and put them to work as the crew if they can stand the heat!
Now be aware that while the crew members will be sweating in the hot sun, viewers will be in a shaded area on the banks of the beautiful Norfolk Botanical Gardens, complete with bathroom facilities. Arrangements are being made to bus convention attendees to and from the event.
As of now, the following fierce Viking boats have agreed to participate in this once-in-a- lifetime event:
- Hagar and Tapper Viking representing Gateway to Florida Lodge, Jacksonville, FL
- Falcon representing Gulfstream Lodge, Port St. Lucie, FL
- Niedelven representing Hampton Roads Lodge, Virginia Beach, VA
- Solkyst representing Suncoast Lodge, Clearwater, FL
Please also review the following links:
History of Viking Boats in Florida
Photos of Previous Regattas
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