Barbados celebrates 2017: The Year of Sports
ON THE heels of a successful Run Barbados in December, comes 2017: The Year of Sports. This designation is one of the pillars of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI)’s comprehensive three-year sports tourism plan.
In keeping with current tourism trends, and a growing traveller appetite for adventure and activity, the BTMI has identified key events aimed at capitalising on available infrastructure and resources to generate additional business for Barbados.
The Year of Sports 2017 will feature a blend of established calendar favourites, and new, carefully-crafted events, covering interests from watersports to cricket and beach tennis. These new events include the OK Dinghy World Championships, the Golden Oldies World Cricket Festival, Barbados Pro World Surf League 3000QS, the Barbados Beach Tennis Open, Barbados Beach Wellness Festival, the Barbados Festival of Cycling, Dragon World Championships 2017 and the Barbados Open Club Championship.
OK DINGHY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (MAY 25-31) AND FINN WORLD MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP (JUNE 3-9)
The OK Dinghy International Association (OKDIA) is the world organisation for the OK-Dinghy class. OK Class Worlds travels to various destinations around the world each year and it is expected that this event will attract at least 100 of the world’s best sailors to compete against each other.
GOLDEN OLDIES WORLD CRICKET FESTIVAL (MAY 7-14)
Following a successful bid in 2014, Barbados was announced as the host venue for the 2017 edition of the Golden Oldies World Cricket Festival. Held every two years, the competition is geared towards those over the age of 35 from around the world, who love the game of cricket. To date there are 32 overseas teams registered for the event.
BARBADOS PRO WORLD SURF LEAGUE 3000 QS (APRIL 16-21)
The World Surf League qualifying world tour is a combination of events which take place at various locations around the world to pick the top finisher to join the elite Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour. The 3,000 events are among some of the highest rated qualifying events throughout the year.
Scheduled to be contested in both the men’s and women’s divisions over an eight-day period, this will be a major ground-breaking event for Barbados and presents a massive opportunity to further promote the island as a world-class surfing destination.
THE BARBADOS BEACH TENNIS OPEN (JUNE 26-JULY 2)
This invitational beach tennis tournament capitalises on what is essentially a relatively new sport that is growing rapidly in the European and South American regions, namely Brazil. Beach tennis combines physical elements of tennis and beach volleyball with a fun, party atmosphere.
The Barbados Beach Tennis Open is expected to feature some of the world’s best male and female beach tennis players, competing in both doubles and mix-doubles.
DRAGON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017 (OCTOBER 28-30)
The popularity of Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Boarding continues to rise. Utilising inflatable SUPs developed by the Red Paddle Co, this event will be the first of its kind to be staged in the region. The Dragon World Series will see teams from around the world competing to have the chance to take part in the first dedicated team World Championships in Barbados and be crowned the first Dragon World Champions.
THE BARBADOS BEACH WELLNESS FESTIVAL (SEPTEMBER 2-3)
Global trends continue to show an increased level of participation in health and wellness activities. Travel for health and wellness as the primary motivation is also on the increase. In response to these trends, Barbados will be hosting a wellness festival over a two-day period this September. The festival will feature yoga sessions from beginner to expert level, including SUP yoga, Thai yoga bodywork, tai chi and capoeira.