Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 20, 2014 Sports
80-year-old Pat Holder out of today’s Bartica Regatta
By Sean Devers
A Spine Surgery in November 2011 resulted in veteran Power Boat champion and National Awardee Pat Holder losing his ability to walk properly up to last year but at age 80, the Power Boat Race legend had everything planned for his grand
return to the water in today’s Bartica Regatta.
However, a serious illness to a family member forced the former Motor Racing and Cycling Champion out of today’s Regatta.
“I had everything set for today’s event in Bartica where I was going to make my come-back to Power Boat racing to thank all my supporters from Bartica for their support and to prove that at 80 I could still compete with the much younger fellows,” Holder, who received a Medal of Service Award in the line of Sports in 1989, informed.
“I began preparing for this since last year when I was recovering. I bought a second hand 25 Horse Power Engine from a friend in the USA and a special life jacket for today’s race. I had full sponsorship and my locally built Boat was to be ready for the big race. However, due to an illness to a close family member I had to pull out,” a disappointed Holder lamented.
Holder, who owns the ‘Pat Holder radiator repairs’ in Bar Street Kitty, last raced at the Bartica Regatta in 1996 and has had 53 years experience as one of Guyana’s top Power Boat Champions. Holder would usually race his 40HP Boat ‘Midas’ in the 75HP races, giving up 35HP.
“I was winning everything in the 40HP category so I decided to race in the 75HP races with my same boat and began winning those races also,” Holder proudly remembered.
“My doctor, Professor Crandon was coming from Jamaica to see me race today,” an extremely mentally fit Holder stated.
The inspirational Holder was the only consistent competitor from Georgetown and his only child, the late Carl Holder, was following in his father’s footsteps when he drowned at age 29 while preparing for a race in 1989 in Bartica.
In 1998 Holder ended his unbroken 43 years service to Motor Racing in Guyana and in an extensive interview with Kaietuer Sports recounted how he helped to form the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) in Albert Street, Thomas Lands.
Holder remembered how he started racing on the sands on 63 Beach in Berbice in 1955 and raced at every meeting until 1962 when he assumed the duties of official starter.
Before Boats and Motor Bikes, Holder became a cyclist at 14 and in 1953 he was selected along with Lindsay Gordon to represent British Guiana in Suriname in 1953.
However, the multitalented sportsman was involved in a motor cycle accident in the city which left him unconscious for seven days and in hospital for four months, forcing him to give up cycling.
He then turned to Motor Bike racing along with his brother Clive (who also died in a motor sport related accident) and Billy. In 1956 he represented this country in Motor Bike racing before retiring from the track in 1958 when he turned his attention to Power Boat Racing becoming Champion for many years in the Bartica and Suriname Regattas. Holder also raced Boats in Barbados and Trinidad and just to show off his versatility even ventured into Horse Riding at the then Pony Club.
With all his near death experiences and his advancing age the big question is what still attracts Holder to such a potentially dangerous sport?
“You know many people have told me that most of those who have represented Guyana in more than one sport did so in ball games….cricket, football, hockey and Table Tennis. But I am among the few to have done so in Boat, Cycle and Motor Racing. I love the feeling you get from racing. It’s a special kind of thrill and if I still feel good next year I intend to give the Bartica Regatta one last shot,” Holder concluded.
His return will be missed today but keep your fingers crossed the Power Boat legend could be back one year from now competing in a sport which has given him his most recognition.
Jagdeo giving Exxon 102 cent to collect 2 cent.
Apr 25, 2024
By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sports – The French Diplomatic Office in Guyana, in collaboration with the Guyana Olympic Association and UNICEF, hosted an exhibition on Tuesday evening at the...Kaieteur News – Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, persists in offering... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]