For others a swim across the Sound.

And for others still, a day at the cricket.

But instead it was a time for Mother Nature to flex her muscles, sending an arsenal of wind and rain, thunder and lightning to the Island, all of which combined to spoil the plans of organisers and spectators hoping for a full weekend of activities.

First to fall victim to Saturday's stormy assault was the Harbour Open Swimming Championships, which saw just a few morning races completed before the decision was made to postpone the remainder until 6.00 p.m. today.

At White Hill Field umpires and teams tried valiantly to allow play to go on to completion in the second-round Western Counties cricket match, featuring champions Somerset Bridge and Southampton.

However, after several starts and stops, play was abandoned late in the afternoon with Bridge the only side to bat, having faced 37 overs and totalling 133 for six.

A Premier Division Open match between Willow Cuts and Bailey's Bay likewise failed to materialise.

Yesterday brough a similar fate for Bermuda's sportsmen.

For the second year in a row, the Round the Island Powerboat race was forced to be put back a week.

Last year the storm surge caused by Hurricane Felix meant a week's delay and this time thunder, lightning, combined with seven-foot seas effectively snuffed out any chance of the race taking place. It will run next Sunday instead.

Stormy seas also meant the postponement of the annual 1,300-metre Trunk Island Swim.

Cricket again suffered with a full slate of First Division Open matches called off along with two make-up games.

For Western Stars and St. George's, due to battle for rights to the title of Premier Division Overs champions, it was the second time the two sides had their meeting curtailed by rain. The initial meeting witnessed a mere over being bowled before proceedings were brought to an abrupt halt.

One of the few sports to go unaffected by the weather was the finals of the Bermuda Basketball Association play-offs. Games were played indoors at Saltus Gym.