Mount Gay Regatta’s Youngest Captain Philip Mastereid
Barbados‘ premier sailing event, the Mount Gay Regatta, welcomed its youngest skipper into their ranks. At 17 years old, captain of the Usail Power Boats/Paddington, Philip Mastereid took his crew of equally young sailors against some of the best Cruising class A vessels and crews in the region. With the odds stacked against them, Philip and his crew performed extremely well, only missing the podium by a mere 3 points.
Adrenaline Sun sets out to sea with Captain Philip Mastereid as he tell us about his experience in the 2011 Mount Gay Regatta.
What age did you start sailing?
I started sailing summer 2002, at the age of 8.
Who has inspired you to begin sailing?
I didn’t have a choice, my mom signed me up for a summer sailing camp with the Barbados Optimist Dinghy Association, sailing was her hobby when she was growing up and she wanted me to learn how to sail as well. After I learned to sail there were many people that inspired me to take it to the next level and some of these people Shane Atwell, Marc Gentlin, Peter Burke, Andrew Burke, Clint Brooks and especially Peter Hoad who was also the Optimist coach for many years.
Did you always want to be a Skipper?
I learned to sail on an optimist which is a one man dinghy and therefore it was natural to want to skipper even bigger boats.
Have you captained other vessels besides the Powerboats/ Paddington?
This was my first time as skipper, but I have helmed (steered) boats before. The skipper calls the shots but doesn’t necessarily have to steer the boat.
Was this your first time competing in the Mount Gay Regatta?
Philip and the crew of the Usail Powerboats /Paddington
This is not my first time competing in the Mount Gay Regatta, I was 9 and my mum let me skip school for the Friday race day. Last year was the first year I missed because I was competing in the Archery Outdoor Nationals, it sucked to miss it, but I am now National Champion in the Senior Compound division.
As the youngest skipper, was there a lot of pressure on you competing in the Mount Gay Regatta?
I have been getting more pressure to do well in my CXC’s, because of exams I was only told about the opportunity a week before the regatta, I was nervous but everybody encouraged me to do my best. The greatest pressure was from my parents, Karen and Paul Allen who kept reminding me not to hit anything.
What was the overall experience like?
The overall experience was fantastic I really enjoyed myself and I hope to be given the opportunity to skipper again.
Besides captain, what is your favorite crew position?
Besides being captain I would have to say bow man as my favorite position because you get the best view of everything that goes on in front of you in the race.
What other yacht racing competitions have you taken part in?
I have sailed in lots of local competitions, but Bequia Easter Regatta is the only other competition I have sailed in, for now…..
What other types of boats have you had experience racing and which one is your favorite?
Optimist racing took me all over the Caribbean, St. Thomas US Virgin Islands, Trinidad, Tobago, Bequia and Martinique, but I have also raced Lasers and Echoes locally. I think that the Laser is the most fun one man boat, because it is the fastest and most exciting. I have also raced on all kinds of big boats including four round the island races.
What do you find is the most thrilling thing about yacht racing?
It is really hard to say what the most thrilling thing is, I find that it is all exciting and enjoyable and you can’t really express it in words you have to do it to be able to feel it.
Do you plan to go pro?
I will take each opportunity as it comes and then go from there.
Apart from sailing what other activities do you take part in?
Horses and competing in show jumping was a big part of my life until last year, Archery is another love, but sailing will always be number one to me.
