Caribbean Paddling Update - Trinidad & Tobago

[Editor: More indication that the sport is booming worldwide... Nigel Wall sent us this update on what's happening with Caribbean surfski paddling - this time in Trinidad & Tobago.]

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Trinidad and Tobago paddlers celebrated last week as they feverishly unpacked the container loaded with 25 new surfskis, almost doubling the number of available craft on the island. 22 of the skis belong to the T & T Canoe and Kayak federation and were funded by the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs. These boats will be available for anyone to paddle and the Surfski Club and Federation will be running regular open days and coaching sessions to get people hooked on this great sport.

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Our total fleet now comprises a great mixture and range of skis from 'stable' to a little 'tippy' and steady to fast! Many manufactures are represented here with Red 7 Surf 60/70 and 11 of the newest Pro70s, 4 Honcho Guevaras and 7 of the Honcho Xtremes, and a cluster of other private boats like Epic, Custom Kayak Mentors and Mark One, Huki and a number of older Dorados.

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Our open sessions got off to a flying start last Saturday and Sunday and in pretty flat conditions in Williams Bay over 20 newcomers showed up to have a go. Ages ranged from 9 to 63 and we had a great time, with a good percentage threatening to come back next week.

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The fleet boats will also be used for visitors who come over to race and I can now announce that next year's North Coast Challenge will be on Sunday the 15th March 2009 with guaranteed awesome downwind conditions and fun for all in the extended 27km race.

Further details will be posted in the next few days, but the race is now part of the full Caribbean Surfski series and we have commitments from most of the region's top paddlers that they will be there in droves.

Nigel J Wall

President - Trinidad Surfski Club