T & T Fishermen Dominate Regional Tournaments in 2009

Tobago Surfers Rule at CW COCRICO PRO!

CARIBBEAN WATERMAN – COCRICO PRO TOBAGO

DEC 29 2009 – JAN 1 2010

MT.IRVINE, TOBAGO – From December 29^th 2009 – January 1^st 2010, Caribbean Waterman (caribbeanwaterman.com) and the local surfing community in Tobago successfully ran a surfing event in Tobago that highlighted the quality of the surfers and their performances in the high quality waves of the Sister Island, with support from SURFINGT&T (surfingtt.org).

This spectacular event, which coincided with huge waves (2.5 – 3.5 Meters)formed by a North Atlantic Low Pressure System, was blessed with surfing conditions that dreams are made of, at least for the surfers. Many of Tobago’s beaches were too rough for swimming and this encouraged many spectators to gather on Mt.Irvine Beach to witness the first Surf Contest in Tobago in over 20 years.

The goal of this event was to have minimal negative impact on the surf break at Mt.Irvine and the great beach culture that already exists. Instead, the organizers wanted the event to have a great positive impact on the performance quality of surfing in Tobago. Surfers and watermen who would not normally compete in traditional surf contests were encouraged to take part in this event due to its new and innovative format.

Traditionally surf contest are purely judged by non-competing judges, in a rigid schedule of 20 minute heats, whereas a large portion of the CW COCRICO PRO TOBAGO was judged based on the observations and opinions of the competing surfers themselves through a voting process. This meant that credit was given where credit was due, and the athletes that were awarded prizes knew that they had truly gained the respect of their peers.

Additionally, a large focus of this event is was the youth factor. SURFINGT&T has made it clear that our country needs a lot of attention focused on youth development. Tobago has shown potential in this area far beyond its size and population, and they did not disappoint at the event with 4 of the top 5 U18 surfers coming from Tobago.

The positive feedback from the Tobago Community in the wake of this event has been overwhelming and many have volunteered their support for growing the event into an annual gathering with significant additional resources and infrastructure. Tobago surfing legend and winner of Best Big-wave Surfing Exhibit and Best Overall Waterman Performance, Barry St.George had this to say:

“This event has come as a true blessing to surfing in Tobago and has brought recognition where it is long overdue. All critics who downplayed the potential of this event are humbled by its great success!”

RESULTS

Voted

(CATEGORY – WINNERS NAME – PRIZES RECEIVED)

Monster Drop / Biggest Wave – DUANE KENNY – Medal, Traction Pad, Leash, DVD.

Best / Biggest Barrel Ride – ALAN DAVIS – Medal, Traction Pad, Leash, DVD.

Worst Wipeout – SCOTT TUCKER – Medal, Traction Pad, Leash, DVD.

Best High-Performance Surfing Exhibit – ANDRE STEWART – Medal, Traction Pad, Leash, DVD.

Best Big-wave Surfing Exhibit – BARRY ST.GEORGE – Medal, Traction Pad, Leash, and DVD.

Best Overall Waterman Performance – BARRY ST.GEORGE – Medal, Free Weekend at 4Bdrm Villa.

Most Improved Performer (OPEN) – ANDRE STEWART – Medal, Traction Pad, Leash, DVD.

Most Improved Junior (U18) – MATHEW MILNE – Medal, Traction Pad, Leash, DVD.

Best Master Performance (35+) – CHE LOVELACE – Medal, Traction Pad, Leash, DVD.

SPIRIT OF SURFING AWARD – EAMON HEALY-SINGH – Medal, Traction Pad, Leash, DVD.

Best Still Photo of a surfing performance. – TO BE DETERMINED (MEDIA BEING COLLECTED)

Best Video Clip of a Surfing performance. – TO BE DETERMINED (MEDIA BEING COLLECTED)

Please submit media for the best Still and/or Best Video Clip to the e-mail address below, or call me to arrange pick up of media.  We sincerely appreciate any media you can submit!

Judged

Super-Session 1^st (OPEN) – ALAN DAVIS – Ticket to THE SHADE NEW YEARS PARTY (TTD$500)

Super-Session 2^nd (OPEN) – JASON APPARICIO

U18 juniors 1^st (Male) – ADRIAN DE SILVA – Ticket to Trinidad to Compete in SURFINGT&T EVENT.

U18 juniors 2^nd (Male) – MATHEW MILNE

U18 juniors 3^rd (Male) – DARIO JORDAN

U18 juniors 4^th (Male) – CAELUM BLANDFORD

U18 juniors 5^th (Male) – IAN ROSS-SCHWEDEN

THANKS

This event was made possible by the generous contributions of CARIBBEAN WATERMAN, SOULJAHS INTERNATIONAL, THE SHADE, SURFINGT&T, TIM LAVESQUE at NETWORK SURF AUSTRALIA, RAIN SCHNIDER REAL ESTATE, and THE TOBAGO SURFING COMMUNITY.

You can contact Caribbean Waterman via Keith Lewis 775-1001 or onamission420@yahoo.com