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Stephen & Conan Belle seeking glory
Stephen Belle posing alongside his new boat
By Franklin Wilson
The father and son duo of Stephen and Conan Belle are aiming to ignite the waters with top podium finishes when the 36th Bartica Easter Regatta comes off on April 24 and 25 at Golden Beach, Bartica.
Whenever the Regatta and Power Boat racing is being discussed the name Belle has to be mentioned and according to Stephen, it’s all about keeping that tradition alive.
Speaking with Kaieteur Sport in Bartica yesterday, Stephen said that he is hungrier more than ever given the fact that he has not won a championship in five (5) years. Like his brother Clarence and Dave Scott, Stephen has also imported a state-of-the-art racing boat that will be piloted by his son Conan in the 25 – 40HP and 75 – 90 HP races.
The 21-year-old Conan who is no stranger to the Power Boat racing scene, having dominated last year, is also oozing with confidence ahead of what is anticipated to be the biggest ever Regatta.
Equipped with an Evinrude 40HP engine, the American Power Boat Association certified machine is one of four that will be setting the Golden Beach Circuit ablaze on April 24 & 25.
Conan will also be competing in the Jet Ski races and has also brought in a new machine for this year’s races with the aim of blowing away the opposition. That will be no easy task with the likes of Hamley Martindale to contend with.
Stephen will be tagging up for competition in the 115-200HP races; his craft is equipped with a 200HP engine.
Speaking on the issue of sponsorship, Stephen said that this continues to be a real challenge for them and to date, he has been digging deep into his own coffers in order to compete.
“This is something we love, this is a family tradition and while it is not easy getting sponsorship we will continue to do our best to maintain a high level of competition.”
Stephen noted that he has been competing for about 20-years now and has won eight (8) championships over those years. “I’ve been at it for a long time and am now passing on the baton to my son Conan.”
Like Stephen, his brother Clarence also has sons (Sean & Tristan) involved every step of the way as his potent mechanics and maintenance men.
He reminded other siblings are also competing, Orin and nephew Randy. His eldest brother Christopher aka ‘Big Belle’ was the pioneer of Power Boat racing in the family and ever since, the tradition and rich legacy has continued and seems destined to continue for a long, long time to come.
The likes of Vijai Buckan, Mark Fagundez, Peter Miller, Henry De Silva, Jose’Jardine and Ganesh Singh are all expected to compete.
Canoe races will also form part of the programme which is expected to see the most events ever, 26 in total.
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