Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), Director for Latin America and the Caribbean and Sports, Corey Garrett (left), speaking at today’s media launch at at the Eco Lifestyle and Lodge in Bathsheba while BTMI Chairman Shelly Williams, and Co-director of Surf Promotion Barbados Limited, Louis Venezia, look on. (C. Pitt/BGIS)

Barbados is set to mark another first in the Caribbean when it hosts the upcoming World Surf League (WSL) Q5000 at the “mecca of surfing” in Barbados, the Soup Bowl, Bathsheba, St. Joseph, from Monday, March 27, to Sunday, April 2.

Live Like Zander Junior Men and Women Q1000 will also take place during the week of the WSL Q5000 men and women’s event, and to date, 224 entries have been received, 160 men and 64 women.

Speaking at a media launch today, at the Eco Lifestyle and Lodge in Bathsheba, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), Director for Latin America and the Caribbean and Sports, Corey Garrett, highlighted that this year’s event is the biggest qualifying series for the North American region.  It is slated to have local and international surfers from 14 countries compete in the event.

Mr. Garrett explained that previously, Barbados hosted the WSL Q3000 and after “some very laborious discussions, negotiations and paper writing”, the BTMI is partnering with Barbados Surf Pro and the World Surfing League to host the Q5000 series.

He noted that hosting this event “exposes the island to the surfers, more media attention and greater competition, … and for Barbados Surf Pro to receive such a major upgrade, of course, speaks to the volume and quality of the surfing circuit available here in Barbados”.

Co-director of Surf Promotion Barbados Limited, Louis Venezia, revealed that when Barbados hosted the WSL Q3000 last year the impact, according to data received, was US$950,000. This was as a result of persons travelling along with competitors, family, friends, spectators and media personnel, who used hotels, Airbnbs, beach house rentals, car rentals, and patronage at supermarkets, restaurants, souvenir shops, etc.

Mr. Venezia said in addition to the revenue earned, the social media and webcast attention received bodes well for the island. 

“It exposes Barbados not only as a tourism destination but also creates a massive marketing opportunity for Barbados to showcase its culture, lifestyle and beautiful beaches to millions of viewers worldwide,” he said.

International Pro Surfer and Sports Tourism Ambassador, Chelsea Tuach, who won the Women’s Q3000 in 2022, said she has been “driving down to the East Coast for the last month and a half” training, and she feels very happy about her preparation.  She added that she is ready “to put on a show”, as she seeks to retain the title “Queen of the Bowl”. 

Other local surfers expected to compete are Josh and Jacob Burke, Chelsea Roett, Caleb Rapson, Ocean Gittens, J Allen, Kai St. George and Ras Menelik Lewis.  Miss Tuach is encouraging the public to come out in their numbers to support and cheer her on and the other local surfers, at what she describes will be a “phenomenal” event. 

sheena.forde-craigg@barbados.gov.bb

Pin It on Pinterest