Barbadian Professional windsurfer, Brian “deAction Man” Talma, has identified ways Dominica can increase its visitor arrivals through the introduction of stand-up paddling.
Talmar, who has been in Dominica for a few days, is conducting training sessions as part of activities for Dive Fest said the island holds tremendous potential in the sport.
Talma said when stand-up paddle first came on the scene, Dominica was identified the idle area for that sport, pointing out that it is the fastest growing action water sport in the world.
“Once stand-up paddling came on the scene, I identified stand-up paddling and this location as being one of the prime locations for stand-up paddling,” he said a press conference on Monday. “The reason; stand-up paddling really meshes with eco-tourism, the waterfalls, the mountains, the natural beauty…”
Talma continued, “Here in Dominica you have the opportunity to take advantage, especially in Soufriere. The water is really flat so when you have cruise ships, when you have visitors coming to the island they could do it, but more so the sport is growing at such a rapid pace that people are going to start to take vacations because of the particular sport.”
Meantime Tourism Minister, Robert Tonge, said in order for island to benefit from a sport like stand-up paddling the indiscriminate dumping of garbage must stop.
“There is one critical thing though we must keep the island clean,” he noted. “The indiscriminate dumping of garbage all over the country obviously will not mesh with this because it means while you are paddling along you will actually see people dumping stuff …so we need to take more care of our country and throw these items in the respective areas.”
According to him, stand-up paddling offers the perfect opportunity to use the island’s calm waters.
“It is an opportunity not only for the hotels but it is an opportunity for the various communities…it opens up a whole new area in terms of water sports that can really put Dominica on the map,” he said. “So that when we begin to improve on this sporting opportunity for our people it is in sync with what we are trying to do for our beautiful island.”
Tonge said the sport will provide a perfect opportunity to promote Dominica.
Geeeze Robert Tongue…Please stop talking and go back to insurance.
We must first of all keep the island clean because WE LIVE HERE!!!!!!!
And since you bring it up, for years people have been dumping into the SSMR, Soufriere/Scottshead Marine reserve, either from the hills above, the beaches. Need I tell you Mr Tongue about what exactly is dumped at times? I hate it when these uninformed folks jump into tourism, have no clue and talk talk.
This is a critical market, our marine resources and who has cared? the educated fisheries officers who fought to work alongside and protect have mostly all gotten frustrated with political intervention and moved on………so you guys just stop with the lip service.
Hahaha, we already have passport peddling and now we have board paddling for those who don’t have a money to buy a passport.
But wait! Did Robbie just say that.!?!? Is that the ONLY reason we have to stop littering!?!? All you joking. The littering issue is a whole other paddle boat by itself. Get real Dominicans. Littering is out of style. Stupess
Tell mista… Caribs been doing that for a thousand years… the student come to teach the masters, know your culture
Reminds me of poor Roosevelt Skerrit ttying to navigate his way to close the budget.
We must begin by teaching young children not to litter and dump all over the island. Every school should have a program. There should be a national campaign with billboards all over the country ‘keep Dominica clean and green’. Have a poster contest involving all of the schools on the island. Post winning designs in villages and countrysides so there is a constant reminder to everyone not to dump and litter. Stop people from dumping trash on the beaches for future burning. . Teach people that burning plastic, mattresses and chemical residue, dirty diapers etc. is unhealthy for our communities. Provide trash bins for villages to help keep litter out of the gutters and along road ways. Make a concerted effort, full blast, not in bits and pieces. None of this is rocket science, it’s common sense (something we are severely lacking)
EDUCATE THE PEOPLE!!!
Right on sagefam! Dominica is belle but also a poubelle. Time the police charge some of us with that $5,000 fine for littering that is posted everywhere but I still have to see the first litterbug convicted. That would be a very good example and a warning.
Oh thank you. Took the words fr my mouth. Hit them in their pockets where it hurts and the only place they seem to care. Damn nasty Dominicans