A show of Lagos on water

The sun was mild that beautiful Sunday afternoon, guests comfortably seated, while a unique quietude gripped the Lagos Lagoon, the battleground for a healthy rivalry that would ensue in a moment.

Yet, both sides of the Lagoon were dotted with beautifully decorated floats that host able-bodied men and women who besides entertaining the cheering guests with spectacular performances are competing for laurels at the 2015 Lagos Water Regatta.

Of course, the waterfront on Oyinkan Abayomi Drive Ikoyi, venue of the colourful event, was very much alive with all manner of excitements as the over 20,000 spectators and tourists besiege its tranquil environ for the high-profile event.

But sooner than the guests expected it, fiesta kicked-off with a huge parade of over 26 regatta floats, especially from the coastal communities, adorned with themed decorations depicting social-cultural, traditional folklores, occupation, among other aspects of life of the people of Lagos State.

As expected, some of the floats had congratulatory write-ups and pictures of Akinwunmi Ambode, governor-elect of Lagos State. However, the guests were more thrilled more by the spectacular performances, skillful paddling techniques, dances among other cultural display on water by the floats.

The creative ingenuity was amazing while the dexterity and acrobatic skills of each member of the participating communities, boat clubs and ski riders are mind-blowing.

Canoe racing and open water swimming were competitions that witnessed fierce, yet healthy rivalry among youthful contestants. While the canoe race was a show of strength, the open water swimming tested the endurance of the swimmers to the limit.

But one highlight of the regatta was the skilful displays by the Lagos Jet Skiing Club. The guests were enthralled by the pressurised water from two skiing boat that saw two members of each of the two boat rising from the water to some metres high, and still stable for a longtime parading on water before going down to the water and boat. The cheering was long for most of the guests who were witnessing the superlative performance for the first time on water.

Beyond that, the speeding by other members of the club nearing 15 in number set the Lagoon on a controllable turbulence.

Even guests in hotels along the Lagoon watched from the windows of their rooms, while cars parked to see Lagos alive with colours and glamour. For the visitors, it was a Sunday evening well-spent watching something different on water.

However, gratitude goes to Babatunde Fashiola, governor of Lagos State, who introduced the Lagos Water Regatta six years ago. Sadly, the governor is leaving, but he assured that he successor would carry on with the colourful event in line with the state’s government of continuity.

Disun Holloway, Lagos State commissioner for tourism and inter-governmental affairs, who stood in for Governor Fashiola at the event, observed that the participation in the festival had grown beyond the boundaries of the state with each year adding more colour to the event.

The colourful parade continues at other activities marking the Lagos Black Heritage Festival, especially the Carnival holding on May 2, 2015, the commissioner said.

One happy man at the event was Olusegun Jawando, chairman, Lagos Water Regatta 2015. His happiness was the fact that the Regatta has gained international recognition and that aside the participation of neighbouring African countries such as Ghana and Togo, the festival was now being listed on the calendar of the International Dragon Boat Federation.

Concerned that this year’s festival was a valedictory edition for Governor Fashiola, its initiator, he hoped that Akinwunmi Ambode, the governor-elect, would work with his Committee to stage a more exciting and exhilarating Regatta next year.

Earlier at the flag off of the event, Olusegun Babalola Egbedina, rear admiral and flag officer commanding Naval Training Command, described the festival as an open door to prosperity through tourism and an opportunity to expand the economic horizon of the state and Nigeria.

However, the 2015 Lagos Water Regatta witnessed several prizes given to participants that excelled in their different categories.

 

OBINNA EMELIKE