Legend of the Month - Billy the Kid!

LEGEND OF THE MONTH – CHAMPION OF JAMAICAN SURFING!

If Anthony Wilmot, better known as Billy Mystic, had not ever learned to swim or had never fallen in love with the ocean, his musical talent and accomplishments would have been enough to dub him a legitimate Caribbean Legend. During his 30+ years of playing reggae music as the leader of the world renowned band Mystic Revealers, he has rubbed elbows with the likes of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, and produced timeless classics like Album “Space and Time”.

Yet, there is a side to Billy that many of his fans may never have the opportunity to understand; Billy Mystic is a Champion of Jamaican Surfing and a True Caribbean Waterman Legend. Billy fell in love with the ocean from as young as a kid, and has transformed this love into a personal mission to develop, promote, and protect the sport of surfing in Jamaica.

The Ultra Talented Musician has used his skills to traverse into television and film in the past, however, perhaps the best use of his fame and good musical fortune has been helping to generate interest for the Jamaican Surfing Association, of which he was a founding member in 1999, and is currently the president.

In Just 10 short years, Billy has really put Jamaican surfing on the Map. The JSA has attracted a number of sponsors since their inception in 1999. Prestigious international companies such as INSIGHT clothing, QUASHI surfboards, XTRAK deck pads, MAGMA wax, BODY GLOVE wet suits, OAM surf accessories, REEF Footwear, RED BULL, FREESTYLE watches and COPA Airlines have all bought into the Jamaican surf image, sponsoring the JSA and individual surfers.

More recently, the Jamaica Surfing Association has attracted a sponsorship deal from top footwear company IPATH. The contract which will run for two years in the first instance with a value in excess of a million Jamaican dollars per year includes cash, travel and product support, photo incentives as well as a percentage on sales of a specially designed JSA Shoe to be released in 2010.

“This is wonderful news for the JSA” said JSA President Billy Wilmot. “This shows that our work of legitimizing Jamaica as a surfing nation through competing at major regional and international events as a way in which to attract international sponsors is paying off”.

Mr. Wilmot went on to say “After taking part in the World and Pan Am surfing Games, the industry’s top surf magazines sent crews to Jamaica and did articles on the Jamaican surf scene. Potential sponsors started to notice us and the next thing we knew we were getting calls from well respected surf industry brands”

The majority of the exposure was made possible by the exploitation of Billy’s great image and persona, combined with the effective utilization of years of hard earned contacts, all for the greater good of the surfers of Jamaica. Fathering a hand full of kids that love the ocean just as much as the man himself, it’s not hard to understand why he is so driven to provide an avenue to the relatively juvenile sport to advance in the island.

A recent 2-page Advertisement for INSIGHT brand in Surfing Magazine that featured the Wilmot family, along with fellow dreadlocked Caribbean surfer Jason Apparicio, is testament to the great impact and success Billy has enjoyed thus far. One of Billy’s sons had this to say about his father’s influence:

“Surfing has existed in Jamaica for almost 50 years, and for the first 40 years or so Jamaica’s surfing culture was like a bubble, the inside of which was virtually unknown to the world. It was an inside that didn’t really care for the world’s attention because we have a little paradise here that could have remained a beautiful secret, for who knows how long? My brothers and I started surfing in the late 90’s. We surfed for the first couple years watching surf movies from the early 80’s and late 70’s. We were living in a freeze frame.

Anthony ‘Billy’ Wilmot is the man who broke that bubble. He is the champion of modern Jamaican surfing. He lead the charge that created the Jamaica surfing association in 1999, with the vision of creating a future for young surfers and to guide the development of Jamaican surfing, which I have come to realize is quite unique. Since its inception the Jamaica surfing association has had many great successes. It continues to create that future for young surfers (still driven by the determination of Billy).

Many youths from rural areas have had the opportunity to travel to international events representing their country, and are now regarded heroes in their communities. Surfing is now seen as a great opportunity, whereas before it was just a pass time that was even considered a waste of time by some. There are now many more surfers involved in the sport, especially amongst the youngest group. When we were kids, we were the only surfers in our age group on the south coast, and there was another very small group of young surfers on the north coast. Presently we have a separate series for the many groms that surf now.

Billy is also a champion in the water. When we started out, he was the best surfer on the island, and we’ve heard stories and have seen old film footage of him surfing in Puerto Rico, charging just like the surfers in those old videos we grew up watching. Up until today there are few barrels to match the ones he used to get at Zoo on those big days. And we’ll never forget Zoo’s last ride.”

Billy’s contributions to Caribbean culture, both through his Music and Love of Surfing, make him a true Caribbean Waterman Legend.  Keep an eye out for the Wilmot offspring too, dominating the Caribbean competitive surfing arena!  But don’t worry, competitive or not, with Billy’s crew it’s good vibes all the time!

* Thanks to Inilek and Anthony Wilmot to contributing content to this article.

Team BLOOD SHOT Wins Unit Trust Tournament!

 

The Rotary Club of

Diego Martin

 

 

Presents

 

 

The Unit Trust

US $ INCOME FUND

 

 

Game Fishing Tournament 2009

 

 

 

List of Sponsors

 

GTECH

HYPERTECH

YORKE STRUCTURES

ACLA WORKS

CARIBBEAN SHIPPING

BEWIL

ALGICO

JCA Optical

 

With Special mention going to our major sponsor –

 

The Unit Trust

US Income Fund

 

Fish Weight

 

Last year 847.3 lbs of wish were brought to scale. The overall weight caught during the two (2) days of the Game Fishing Tournament this year is as follows:

 

DAYS	FISH WEIGHT (LBS)
Day 1	187.4
Day 2	698.4
TOTAL	885.8

 

 

Registered Boats

 

Number of Boats Registered =   16 (22 last year)

 

Anglers

 

Number of Male Anglers =            60  (86 last year)

Number of Junior Anglers=         13  (12 last year)         

Number of Female Anglers =         0   (4 last year)

                                                          Total = 83 (102 last year)

 

 

Prizes

 

PRIZES BY SPECIES

 

1) To the Angler who brought to the scale the Largest Blue Marlin:

 

ANGLER	BOAT NAME	SPONSOR	FISH WEIGHT	PRIZE
NONE				$2,500and Unit Trust Challenge Trophy

 

2) To the Angler who brought to the scale the largest Sail Fish:

 

ANGLER	BOAT NAME	SPONSOR	FISH WEIGHT	PRIZE
NONE				$2,000and Unit Trust Challenge Trophy

 

3) To the Angler who brought to scale the largest White Marlin

   

ANGLER	BOAT NAME	SPONSOR	FISH WEIGHT	PRIZE
NONE				$2,000and Unit Trust Challenge Trophy

 

 

 

 

4) To the Angler who brought to the scale the largest Dolphin:

 

ANGLER	BOAT NAME	SPONSOR	FISH WEIGHT	PRIZE
Christian Hadeed	Magic Lady	JCA Optical	25 lbs	$1,5000 and Unit Trust Challenge Trophy

 

5) To the Angler who brought to the scale the largest Tuna:

 

ANGLER	BOAT NAME	SPONSOR	FISH WEIGHT	PRIZE
Mark Melnyk	Hard Play II	Caribbean Shipping	35.3 lbs	$1,500 and Label House Challenge Trophy

 

 

6) To the Angler who brought to scale the largest Wahoo:

 

ANGLER	BOAT NAME	SPONSOR	FISH WEIGHT	PRIZE
Nicholas Desouza	Blood Shot	GTECH	92.2 lbs	$1,500 and Challenge Trophy

 

PRIZE FOR LARGEST FISH

 

ANGLER	BOAT NAME	SPONSOR	FISH WEIGHT	PRIZE
Nicholas Desouza	Blood Shot	GTECH	92.2 lbs	Allan Aleong Memorial Challenge Trophy

 

 

PRIZE FOR HEAVIEST OVERALL CATCH

 

	BOAT NAME	SPONSOR	FISH WEIGHT	PRIZE
	Blood Shot	GTECH	192.8 lbs	Unit Trust Challenge Trophy

 

 

PRIZE FOR BEST LADY ANGLER

 

ANGLER	BOAT NAME	SPONSOR	TOTAL POINTS	PRIZE
NONE				$1,000 and Trophy

 

 

PRIZE FOR BEST JUNIOR ANGLER

 

ANGLER	BOAT NAME	SPONSOR	TOTAL POINTS	PRIZE
Curtis De Silva	Hard Play II	Caribbean Shipping	282.2	$1,000 and Trophy and S. Flook Memorial Trophy

 

PRIZE FOR BEST MALE ANGLER

 

ANGLER	BOAT NAME	SPONSOR	TOTAL POINTS	PRIZE
Nicholas Desouza	Blood Shot	GTECH	642.67	$1,000 and Renrick Nickie Memorial Challenge Trophy

 

 

 

 

PRIZES FOR BOAT POOL

 

There were a total of fifteen (15) entries for the sum of $6,000

These prizes were based on overall fish weight.

 

PLACING	BOAT NAME	SPONSOR	WEIGHT lbs	PRIZE
4th	Mama Mia	Bewil	115.5	$   600
3rd	Fancy Man II	Gtech	162.4	$ 1,200
2nd	Moon Shadow	Bewil	188.0	$ 1,800
1st	Blood Shot	Gtech	192.8	$ 2,400

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRIZES FOR BEST BOAT (BASED ON OVERALL POINTS)

 

PLACING	BOAT NAME	SPONSOR	POINTS	PRIZE
9th	Magic Lady	JCA OPTICAL	50.00	Trophy and Dinner for 2 (Skippers)
9th	Mark Up	ALGICO	50.00	Trophy and Dinner for 2 (Skippers)
8th	Archrival	ACLA WORKS	67.00	Trophy and Dinner for 2 (Skippers)
7th	Mama Mia	BEWIL	294.60	Trophy and Dinner for 2 (Skippers)
6th	Ega Beaver	HYPERTECH	308.33	Trophy &$500 Gift Voucher from (TBA)
5th	Fancy Man II	GTECH	324.80	Trophy &$500 gift voucher- Quality Consultants Ltd
4th	Moon Shadow	BEWIL	445.87	$1,500 & Trophy
3rd	Luhr’d Away	CARIBBEAN SHIPPING	546.20	$2,500 & Trophy
2nd	Hard Play II	CARIBBEAN SHIPPING	602.80	$5,000 & Trophy
1st	Blood Shot	GTECH		$10,000 & Trophy

The Swell of the Decade…

OFF THE CHARTS…

Modern day surfing in the Caribbean is often downplayed by the “Old School” surf fraternity who are quick to tell you about how good “it used to be”.  Stories of entire months going by with overhead North swell everyday during the winter season often makes you wish you were born a generation or two sooner, or that these glory days of consistent, quality North swells would come again.

The winter season of 2007/2008 dragged on with lackluster surf and no swell events of note blessing the Caribbean Islands.  Nearing at the end of the season, in late in March of 2008, the swell charts came alive with a series of predictions that the internet generation of swell tracking guru’s were yet to have the privilege of seeing.  A swell of epic proportions was forming in the North Atlantic.

Just in time for the Easter Long Weekend, it was as if the gods were sending a special blessing (for surfers anyway) and watermen from Florida, to the Caribbean, Africa and Europe, were all glued to their computers praying that this swell event would continue to unfold as first predicted.  The tremendous expanse of this swell “swallowed” the entire North Atlantic and would eventually send pumping surf to all four of the Continents it borders.

The brunt of the swells power and direction focused directly on the Caribbean.  With swell period of 18 - 20 seconds, which is normally reserved for Pacific Ocean Swells and is rarely seen in this region, the Swell of the Decade unleashed its fury on the chain of islands.  Touching down in Puerto Rico first, a crew of big wave legends towed into monster surf at Tres Palmes, the Premier big wave surf spot in the Caribbean.

This crew reported that they had been waiting for the last 8 years, with jet-ski’s fueled and ready, for a swell of this magnitude. When it eventually arrived it was nearly twice as big as what they had previously considered to be the biggest swell to grace their shores in recorded surfing history.  Likewise, members of the surfing community in Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados,  who have witnessed the last 30 years of caribbean swell history, confirmed that this swell event took precedence as the biggest and most powerful to date.

The shear power generated my a swell of this period and character meant that its waves penetrated normally sheltered harbors and bays, and lit up surf breaks that had been dormant for years.  For Caribbean Watermen in general, there was a bitter sweet ambience to the swells arrival as while the surfers enjoyed classic surf, the fisherman and sailors (many of whom are also surfers) feared for the well being of their ocean going vessels. Livelihoods were in danger, and consequently many a waterman suffered at the hand of this swell.

In the end, many surfers were caught off guard.  Some had easter plans, some had contest plans, and the Atlantic had it’s own plans.  A couple of pro surfers, like Peter Mendia, made the right call and scored the very best surf that the Caribbean has to offer with few other surfers competing with him for waves.  At the same time other guys were stuck on the wrong island, or in the wrong ocean, like Kelly Slater who was tracking the swell and made a last minuite decision to surf the Bell’s Beach WCT in poor conditions instead.  

Although Slaters decision worked out for the better and helped him win his ninth world title, other’s were not so lucky and were left to ponder whether they would ever get a chance to take advantage of such an amazing swell experience in the Caribbean again.  However,  considering the unpredictability of mother nature, there is absolutely no reason why is could not happen again this march! Keep your fingers crossed.

Magic Lady Crew Release Possible Grander!

When the Sport Fisher Magic Lady left the Trinidad and Tobago Yacht Club (TTYC) last September (2008) on a 235+ mile jouney to St.Lucia for the St.Lucia Billfish Tournament, they were on a mission! The crew of experienced watermen onboard the vessel owner by Francois “Frank” Moutette and captained by past TTGFA marlin record holder Nicholas Telfer had spent all year preparing for battle.

Most crews that make the voyage to St.Lucia, or any other far away port for a tournament, then fish two long days on the sea are very content to take it easy on the well deserved lay-day to rest, regroup, and prepare for the final day of action.  But the Magic Lady crew is not like most crews, they thirst for more. Coming off the first day of the tournament as the best boat in the points board, they set out on the layday to sharpen their tactics and prepare their last day strategy.

Experienced blue water hunters of the Caribbean have long known that there are massive Blue Marlins roaming the oceans off our islands.  Yet to date there have not been any granders (1000 lbs+) brought to scale, and very little or no photographic evidence to back such knowledge … Until now!  On September 13th, 2008 Franks investment of time and resources into the game fishing arena delivered him a fish and experience of epic proportions, as he angled a Blue Marlin that would have potentially shattered any existing record in the Caribbean, had it been brought to scale. 

The highly experienced crew on board, who have brought 3 Marlin over 600 lbs to scale between them, are convinced that this fish was was the closest to a Grander ever seen in the Caribbean.  Furthermore, experts who reviewed the photographs of the fish in the aftermath concur with their opinion.  Due to the fact that it was not in the tournament, and in hope of someday catching it again, the crew released the fish, but not before getting these great photos.

The Leaderman pictured here is Roger Aleong, who has landed 2 Blue Marlins over 600 lbs.  These awesome photos were taken by crew member Christian Hadeed.  Frank went on to win the Best Overall Angler, depsite this amazing catch not being counted in the tournament, and the Magic Lady Crew came 2nd Place Overall in Best Boat and Was 1st Place in Best Foreign Boat.  A very commendable showing … Well Done Guys! 

Owner/Angler Frank, Captain Nick, Roger, Christian, and the rest of the Magic Lady crew showed that they are True Caribbean Watermen!

SATT AGM 2009

February 17, 2009

7:00 pm

SATT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2009

Tuesday 17th Feb 2009

Location: TBA

www.surfingtt.org