THE inaugural Barbados Surfing Association (BSA) Caribbean Junior Surf-fest was a resounding success.
That was the view of BSA vice-president Simon Coles at the recent presentation ceremony held for the Barbadian surfers at the Barbados Olympic Association’s headquarters in Wildey.
The event, the first of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean, attracted more than 20 surfers from Trinidad and Tobago, Guadeloupe and St Barts who locked horns with their Barbadian counterparts.
After two exciting days of surfing at the popular Soup Bowl in Bathsheba, Barbados and Guadeloupe emerged with the top prizes.
Coles said the level of competition was quite high.
“We had some excellent waves and great results. Team Barbados held their own against some very stiff competition from the Guadeloupe team,” he said.
“We are extremely happy with this inaugural event and are now hoping to attract more sponsorship to make it the premier annual international event for juniors, both in the region and beyond.
The vice-president took the opportunity to thank the sponsors who partnered with the BSA to make the event possible.
He said he was extremely happy with the overall results but more especially with the fine showing by the Barbadians.
Bruce Mackie won the boys’ under-18 category, while Daniel Edghill was third.
Che Allan took second spot in the boys’ 8-12 age group, and Caelum Blandford finished in a similar position among the under-16s.
There was more good news for the Barbadian camp as top girls Chelsea Roett and Chelsea Tuach took first and second places, respectively, in both the under-16 and under-18 divisions.
Twelve-year-old Isabella Venezia finished fourth in the under-18 girls’ division.
In the Open division, Peter Hill added another first to Barbados’ team tally.
Barbados is expected to gain valuable exposure from a French media outlet which covered the junior series for publication in three international surfing magazines. (CH)
