Video Special: Political parody rife at annual Non-Mariners Race

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8: From parliamentary punch-ups to fiery fast food disputes, the Non-Mariners Race proved, yet again, to be a fun-packed day of political parody.

Non-Mariners heavy weights the Mariners Rugby Football Club stole the show with their giant “Non-KFC Boycutt”, poking fun at the Bermuda Industrial Union’s boycott of the fast food restaurant.

Labour relations seem to be a running theme with this team — last year they satirised the bus strike with a floating pink and blue bus. 

Speaking to the crowd during the race, MC Bruce Barritt said: “I do have full kudos for the Mariners Rugby Football Club who always put in a great non-craft.”

In second place was the “Non-Sustainable Fishing” float which referenced the environmental damage caused by long line fishing and invasive lionfish that have made their way to Bermuda’s shores.

But certainly a favourite with the crowd was the “Non-Olympic Parliamentary Boxing Fight” which came in at third place.  The float was made by a group of friends, led by Josh Emmerson, lampooning the scuffle between ministers Derrick Burgess and Michael Scott.

Josh Hill, who played former Transport Minister Burgess joked: “Scott’s a sissy — he ‘aint nothing. He was played by Adrian Kawaley-Lathan but I got in a couple of upper cuts in. My corner was good — I had a Heineken on the side so it worked out well.”

Money donated to charities of the winners’ choice were the Sea Cadets, Meals on Wheels and the Bermuda Sailors Home.

Hordes of people gathered at Mangrove Bay to enjoy the race and other traditions surrounding it such as the Non-Penguin Fly By, the Non-Calypso Pipe Band complete with dancers, and the Non-Memorial to Our Mascot.

Current runners of the race, Sandy’s Boat Club, claims this is the fortieth anniversary of the non-event.

Race MC Bruce Barritt said: “It was absolutely great, there were six non-craft, a huge pleasure craft fleet, a decent crowd and a lovely breeze. It’s been beautiful for forty years — let’s keep it going for another forty or more.”