Posts Tagged ‘sports’

Patrick

Montserrat Volcano Half Marathon, Here We Come!

Montserrat by rachel_thecat via Flickr

Montserrat by rachel_thecat via Flickr

Yes, you read correctly. I’ll be representing Team Uncommon Caribbean in the 2nd annual Montserrat Volcano Half Marathon!

This is one West Indian event simply too uncommon to pass up. Not only does it take place on the beautiful, yet woefully under-visited island of Montserrat, but the “rugged & strenuous” course also promises to be a very hilly one with spectacular sea-views all along the way. Oh, and of course there’s the active Soufriere Hills Volcano to contend with…

Plymouth by Mike Schinkel via Flickr

Plymouth by Mike Schinkel via Flickr

This is the same volcano that, after a long period of dormancy, erupted in 1995 burying the old capitol of Plymouth under a fast-moving pyroclastic cloud of superheated rock and debris, and has remained active ever since. In 1997, another eruption and subsequent pyroclastic flow destroyed the airport, and by extension, the fragile tourism industry that was still in the process of rebuilding after a direct hit by Hurricane Hugo back in 1989.

However, that was then. Today, Soufriere Hills is one of the most monitored volcanoes on the planet. Sure, this year has already seen a decent sized explosion that managed to send a cloud of ash over to Antigua and Guadeloupe, but I’m just looking at it as a little extra incentive to run faster!

Between now and race day (Saturday, November 27th) you can expect a series of updates on my training (which may or may not involve more than drinking rum and eating roti). I’ll also introduce you to my running mate, Dave Keener, who is more apt to include beer in his training regimen, and highlight all that we hope to explore when we get to Montserrat just in case anyone wants to come down to cheer us on.

Let’s get ready to rumble!

Aug. 26th, 2010 | Tags: , , | View Comments
Steve

Tuesday 2 Cents: Warren Solomon Gives Up the Best Dive Spots in Tobago

Courtesy Warren Solomon

If you wanted to get the lo-down on the best dive spots in Tobago, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better person to talk to than Warren Solomon. Not only is he the island’s Director of Tourism, but he’s also an avid aqualung.

Actually, avid doesn’t quite describe Warren’s fascination with scuba diving. When I met his wife during my last visit to Tobago back in March and asked her about Warren’s favorite hobby, she shot me the look of a woman scorned before shaking her head and wistfully sighing, “He has a problem.”

Those of us who have known Warren for some time understand that this is but one of his many “problems”, but for the sake of protecting the innocent we’ll stick to the scuba diving today. Here’s his top-three “must-dive” spots in Tobago…

Japanese Gardens

This site gets its name from the sea whip corals here that resemble Japanese bonsai trees. It’s almost as if a Japanese artist sat down and painted his royal garden here. The Garden is a shallow sloping reef that begins at a depth of 30 feet and tumbles down gracefully to 100 feet. Just when you’re sure that your leisurely visit is complete, you encounter the ‘Kamikaze Cut.’ The current picks up speed and you come barreling down towards two huge boulders, sure that the coming impact will spoil your day. But wait, you discover that a crevasse has been cut through the rocks and you pass between them, slow down, and find yourself returned to the calm and tranquil waters of Tobago. Nurse sharks and big barracudas like to hang out near the small caves at this site. There are also immense brain corals and large schools of jacks. Ian Fleming, author of the 007 novels, owned a house near here, on Goat Island, which sort of fits for such a thrilling dive.

The Maverick

This is a wreck dive formed in 1997 when a ferry called the “Scarlett Ibis” (the national bird of Trinidad & Tobago and a tasty rum, by the way) was sunk to create an artificial reef. The 230-foot ship, which was later renamed the “Maverick”, sits upright on a sandy bottom at a maximum depth of 100 feet. In her years underwater she has put on a beautiful coat of corals and sponges. Schools of bait fish find shelter in the huge belly of the wreck. Jacks are attracted by this never ending stock of prey. It’s also cool to re-enact the “I’m King of the World” scene from the movie Titanic on the Maverick’s bow…..cheesey, but cool!

Kelleston Drain

What makes this site so famous is the fact that it’s home to the world’s largest brain coral, which you see towards the end of this challenging dive. Go on, find a larger one than this…I dare ya! The nutrient rich water allows a luxuriant growth of sponges and soft coral. Big schools of Creole wrasse and jack fish are always there. Even nurse sharks and giant green moray eels are frequently seen. Don’t forget your camera!

If you share Warren’s passion for diving and want more info on Tobago’s dive wonders, click here.

Aug. 17th, 2010 | Tags: , | View Comments
Steve

Saturday Video: Dog Sledding in Jamaica? Believe it!

Jamaica surely leads the Caribbean in “uncommon” sporting pursuits (and common ones for that matter; see Usain Bolt, world’s fastest man). Everyone knows about the country’s bobsled team, whose improbable run to the 1988 Winter Olympics was immortalized in the John Candy “classic”, Cool Runnings, but did you know that Jamaica is also the first Caribbean nation to field an entrant in the Iditarod?

You know the Iditarod, the 1,100-mile test of strength, endurance and sanity through the frigid and desolate wilds of the Alaskan Arctic… It’s about the last place you’d think to find someone from the Caribbean (you’ll NEVER find me there), but Jamaican Newton Marshall completed the race earlier this year.

Newton finished a respectable 47th out of 55 mushers, becoming the first non-white person to finish the race. The only other black musher in Iditarod history was Barry MacAlpine, who competed in the inaugural race back in 1973, but did not finish.

As was the case with their bobsledding bredren, the backstory of how the Jamaica Dogsled Team came into being is certainly fit for the Hollywood treatment. The owner of Chukka Caribbean Adventures, one of the region’s best tour companies for active and adventurous travelers, just happened to be in Canada a few years ago shopping for dune buggies. Instead, he found a dryland cart for dogsled training. Returning to Jamaica with the cart and a team of experienced dogsled trainers, the folks at Chukka set about working with the Jamaican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to train dogs rescued from the island’s streets.

That’s right, previously abandoned and unloved dogs that would otherwise be euthanized are helping to bring surprising sports glory to Jamaica! As a dog-lover who has owned several former strays and pound pups over the years, I LOVE everything about the Jamaica Dogsled Team.

If you do too, I highly recommend you check out Chukka’s Jamaica Dogsled Experience in Ocho Rios. The short video above provides a taste of the fun that’s in store when you opt for this truly unique Caribbean adventure. You can also keep up with the latest on the team by joining their Facebook fan page here.

Getting back to Newton’s unlikely Iditarod run, if you’re wondering whether  a “Cool Mushings” film might be in our future, the answer is yes! This one won’t have the camp (or the Candy, of course) of Cool Runnings, though. Click here for details.

Jul. 24th, 2010 | Tags: , | View Comments
Steve

Deal of the Week: Explore Montserrat Scuba Diving Adventure

Courtesy of Montserrat Tourist Board

Volcanoes giveth and taketh away like nothing else on earth. Initially, an eruption will lay waste to any living thing unfortunate enough to be nearby. In the long run, though, rejuvenated ecosystems emerge that are significantly more vibrant than before. This is particularly true undersea, as you can see by reading this.

Or better yet, head down to Montserrat and see for yourself!

As we’ve previously noted, The Emerald Isle of the Caribbean is home to the Caribbean’s most active volcano, Soufrière Hills, which erupted in the mid-90′s eventually destroying Montserrat’s capital city, Plymouth. While life on the island has adopted a slower pace as a result of the volcano, the scene below sea is bustling with new and diverse corals, sponges and algae, providing a rich environment for fish and sea mammals. Dolphins, pipefish, eagle rays, green turtles and nurse sharks are just a few of the sea creatures thriving in these waters.

So, how can you enjoy this undersea paradise? Just hook up with the folks at Extreme Marine Scuba, a dive facility registered on Montserrat. They’re offering a new three-day Explore Montserrat package originating out of Antigua that includes unlimited diving, boat accommodations, meals, and a boat tour of Plymouth.

Talk about an adventure!

The Explore Montserrat special is priced at $750 per person, based on a minimum of four divers and is valid now through December 31, 2010. For bookings or more information, visit the Extreme Marine Scuba website by clicking here, or call Tel: 268-720-0398.

* The information in this story was accurate at the time of publishing. All rates and specials are subject to change at the travel provider’s discretion.

Jul. 21st, 2010 | Tags: , | View Comments
Steve

Uncommon Dive: Diamond Rock

Photo credit: Craig Guillot

Diamond merchants and scuba divers have at least one thing in common – both place a high value on rarities. Just as the rarest diamonds fetch the highest prices, the least-known and most unique dive sites are treasured among scuba enthusiasts. In Martinique, one such extremely unique dive site lays hidden beneath the small island pictured above. Fittingly, the island is named Diamond Rock.

An uninhabited hardscrabble islet located off Martinique’s southern coast, Diamond Rock is a poor man’s Rock of Gibraltor, rising 600 feet above sea level versus the 1,396-foot height of its distant European cousin. Just like Gibraltor, Diamond Rock carries a great deal of historical significance tied to the British. During the Napoleonic Wars in the early 1800’s, the British once fortified Diamond Rock, converting it into a man-of-war of sorts; even going so far as to commission the land HMS Diamond Rock in 1804.

While the British were drawn to the strategic advantages presented by the land atop Diamond Rock, it’s the exciting scuba experience below that draws visitors today. What’s so unique about the dive experience at Diamond Rock? How about this: you can dive under it.

I don’t just mean some small part of under it where you explore a cave and go back out the way you came; I mean all the way under it!

At the base of the rock there’s a triangular cave that extends to the other side, enabling divers to literally traverse under the island emerging on the complete opposite side. The cavern is filled with many varieties of corals and sea fans, with some divers even finding remnants of Diamond Rock’s former British tenants.

As you might imagine, this is no place for novice divers. Strong currents within the cavern reserve this experience to the most skilled divers. For those with the chops, though, it’s not to be missed.

Fortunately, dive operators in Martinique make it easy to check out Diamond Rock, as well as the island’s other great dive sites, through a program called Madinina Pass. A cooperative initiative launched in 2004 by Martinique’s top dive operators, the Madinina Pass provides divers with the freedom to dive virtually anywhere in Martinique for one low price. Each Madinina Pass dive checkbook contains coupons for three, six or 10 dives. Coupons can be redeemed through any of the 12 participating PADI-certified dive operators located around the island. As an added bonus, free equipment rental and insurance are also included.

For more information on scuba diving in Martinique, click here, or call the Martinique Promotion Bureau at 212-838-7800.

Jul. 15th, 2010 | Tags: , | View Comments
Steve

Tuesday 2 Cents: Kathryn Bertine Tells us Why Nevis is a Cyclist’s Paradise

Photo credit: Shelley Welander

Nevis has always been known as an exclusive destination for luxury pampering, rest and relaxation, but we found during our visit there last month that it’s also a great choice for active travelers. After all, you’ve got Mt. Nevis with its lush rainforest and unique trails, so it’s no surprise that hiking is big here. What is surprising, though, is the strong popularity of another sport that on the surface may seem ill-suited to such a small island – cycling.

Why is cycling an odd fit for Nevis? Well, Nevis is tiny – 36 square miles – and basically has only one main road that encircles the island.

So what’s the deal? We caught up with professional cyclist Kathryn Bertine over dinner at Nisbet Plantation to find out. You may not know Kathryn from her racing on behalf of the St. Kitts & Nevis Cycling Federation, but if you’re a fan of ESPN, books or triathlons, then her name may be familiar to you.

Kathryn is a former pro triathlete who penned the So You Wanna Be An Olympian series of articles for ESPN.com a couple years back. She’s also the author of As Good As Gold, a new book released in May 2010 that chronicles her two-year assignment from ESPN to qualify for the Olympics in any sport she could. After a few misses with other sports, Kathryn eventually settled on cycling and Nevis.

Why Nevis?

While doing some research for my ESPN project in 2007, I learned that St. Kitts & Nevis had a pretty strong Cycling Federation based in Nevis. At the time, though, they had no women riders. I was looking for a country that could appreciate the mutual benefits of the project; giving me a good chance to make the Olympics, while also helping to raise the profile of cycling in the destination. It’s been a great fit.

What makes the cycling so good in Nevis?

Off the main road, there’s a small yet intricate network of off the beaten path roads that offer great workouts. Many of these hidden roads are short and steep, some with a 20% gradient, which makes them fantastic for hill training. At first glance you wouldn’t even know some of them are there, so it’s good to have a local guide show you around to start out.  There also isn’t a lot of traffic in Nevis, and people are always very aware of cyclists here. Combine that with the amazing weather and friendly people, and Nevis is a wonderful cycling paradise.

Is it easy to travel with a bike to Nevis?

Traveling anywhere with a bike is difficult mainly because you have to pay such high added baggage fees for the flights. I keep a bike here in Nevis to offset that, but whether you’re a serious pro or recreational cyclist you can rent great bikes through Winston Crooke, who heads the Cycling Federation and is based in Nevis. It’s a lot easier than lugging your own bike all the way down here, and Winston and his crew can guide you along the best hidden routes to match your fitness level.

Winston’s “crew” includes our friend Reggie Douglas, who we’ve already shown to be a great athlete and hiking guide, so I highly concur with Kathryn’s advice. To get in touch with Winston and Reggie, click here.

Also, if you want a more in-depth look at cycling in Nevis, pick up a copy of Kathryn’s book via Amazon.com by clicking here. There’s a lot of detail in the book on her cycling adventures along those “hidden roads”, so it can definitely prove handy if you’re planning a future two-wheeled conquest of Nevis. This is must-reading for anyone who likes to combine athletic pursuits with travel, just as Nevis is a must-visit for cyclists looking for a hidden treasure among Caribbean cycling destinations.

Jul. 13th, 2010 | Tags: , | View Comments
Steve

Another Option for Auto Racing Action Under the Warm Caribbean Sun

VK-Sportsman (Vivek Maharaj) via flickr

Recently, I wrote here about my surprise at learning of a professional rally race in Jamaica and my desire to head back to JA to check it out. Well, now it seems I’ll have to expand my travel plans as I just heard there’s another Caribbean destination where I can get my auto racing fix – Trinidad & Tobago.

The Trinidad & Tobago Rally Club actually puts on a Championship Series each year, with 7 races contested between February and October. Their biggest race, Rally Trinidad, is held in March and attracts an international field of drivers from Barbados, St. Vincent, Jamaica, and even the UK!

Next up on the Championship Series calendar is this weekend’s Rally Tobago race. Considerably smaller than the March event, Rally Tobago still boasts a field of 25+ cars from Trinidad, Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica. It’s also a full weekend of fun with a Car Show slated for Friday, the actual race on Saturday, and a beach lime on Sunday.

For an even better sense of the size and scope of the event, visit StagRally.com and check out some of the videos from a few of the more recent races.

Jamaica, Trinidad, Tobago – looks like I’ll have lots of options for my race-inspired Caribbean travels!

Jul. 1st, 2010 | Tags: , | View Comments
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