Dominica is presently hosting adventure racers from the Caribbean and the United States during the island’s first-ever Nature Island Challenge.
The competition, which got underway today, pits teams against each other in a series of challenges including grueling trail hikes, cultural immersion activities and photographic documentation of key milestones.
Teams from the United States and the Caribbean will compete in the four-day event. Four-person teams comprised of endurance athletes, hiking enthusiasts and adventure travelers will compete by traversing sections of the Waitukubuli National Trail, performing a series of athletic and cultural challenges along the way, in the hope of winning prizes and bragging rights for the inaugural event.
“The Nature Island Challenge shows off Dominica’s magnificent beauty as well as our vast adventure activities,” said Colin Piper, Dominica’s director of tourism. “This innovative event will introduce Dominica to adventure travel fans the world over, encourage fan participation from near and far via social media and offer the experience of a lifetime for the lucky few competitors who have been selected to participate!”
Dominica is the only Caribbean destination with a hiking trail that extends the entire length of the island. The Waitukubuli National Trail – named after the Carib Indian name for Dominica – is 115 miles long and is divided into 14 contiguous segments that can take an experienced hiker nearly two weeks to complete in its entirety. The trail leads visitors into the heart of local communities while passing through mountainous landscapes and rainforests, and past rivers and waterfalls.
Competitive events include a marine challenge featuring a snorkeling and paddleboard competition at Scotts Head, one of the island’s most popular diving sites. Another stage calls for a cultural challenge where participants learn a traditional dance where they will be judged on their performance and authentic cultural interpretation.
Teams will be required to capture the thrill of the competition in still photos and video which will be posted on social media outlets.
Fans from near and far can follow the excitement on Twitter at @NIChallenge, on Facebook at Facebook.com/NatureIslandChallenge or at the official blog www.natureislandchallenge.com. Fans are also encouraged to use the hashtag #natureislandchallenge to join the conversation!
Dominica’s Nature Island Challenge is scheduled to air on NBC’s popular World of Adventure Sports on June 8.
This thing gives me the shivers!!!!!!
Pretty soon we will be known by OUR name
WAITUKUBULI
Yes Jah, I live to see it. Praises
Why isn’t there a Dominican team in this event? As the host nation we should be in this or am I missing something.
It is an excitement time for Dominica. Dominica is truly the gem of the world. This is a way to maintain physical, mental and spiritual wellness, contact with nature.
that’s a wonderful idea….however, there should have been a larger marketing of that event
Will this ever be shown on Dominican Tv channels? I hope so. This is a great thing for Dominica.
Wish u all well
Great idea! This should receive the meaningful support of both the public and private setors.What about mountain biking to add to the set of activities?
so they finally put into play the idea i gave them in early 2012 when me and my friend walked the entire trail in 4 and a half days thats good i just hoped they corrected the dangerous points on the trail that we pointed out to them before they let people loose on the trail to race
There is no way you could have walked the entire trail in four days. Sorry but you are not speaking the truth. It takes 14 days the least to walk the entire trail. Revue your comment my freind.
The idea u gave them in early 2012?? What simularities does your idea, which was, a 3 legged race from portsmouth to cabrits and lime and spoon from scottshead to newtown, have with the current Nature Island Challenge?? Boss, u must be delusional!
This is a great idea.is about time we use our resources and put it out there for he world to see the beauty of Dominica. They keep hearing about it now they have a chance to see it, Tour De Dominique on foot
Again, a fantastic initiative. This is exactly the way to put Dominica on the map. There are plenty of other destinations with sand, sea & sun. Let them compete with one another. We have something unique, a challenge with nature itself whilst enjoying it at the same time. Next thing I’m looking forward to is an international cycle cross event. Come on mr. Piper, let’s do it! We can use part of the trail for this. Dominica can become “the place” to have conquered by affecionado’s of tough sports, something they “must” have on their list of achievements if they are to be truly counted!
I love this idea
Oh boy! Wonderful idea. This has big potential for Dominica.
Nice. I hope it grows and get some international attention
I love, love this initiative!! Best wishes for a very successful inaugural event.