Sports Events in Barbados

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Cricket is by far the most popular sport on this Caribbean island. The Barbados Cricket Association administers cricket on the island and arranges many tournaments. The national team play in inter-regional competitions throughout the Caribbean, including the Carib Beer Cup and the KFC Cup. Players who prove themselves during these competitions may be selected for the West Indies cricket team, which plays international cricket.

Barbados’ reputation in cricket and as a cricketing destination, attracts many visiting teams to its shores. International test matches, especially those against England and Australia, bring several thousand visitors to Barbados.

Equipment: A visit to Barbados for cricket fans is incomplete without a visit to the Kensington Oval - home to Barbadian cricket and where many international test matches are played. The stadium was completely rebuilt in 2006 for the 2007 World Cup.

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There's a competition at the end of November, but there is apparently good surfing on the Atlantic coast most of the time. This area is called the Soup Bowl. We were in Barbados staying at the Edgewater Inn in Bathsheba at the time of the surfing competition in 1996 (photos 3 and 4). We saw surfers there again ten years later.

Because it is on the Atlantic, with a long fetch to the nearest land, the East Coast is home to the most consistent breaks on Barbados. When the waves meet the Continental Shelf the swell rumbles across the reefs to create world class waves that are for the more experienced surfer. It also makes swimming very risky

Not being a surfer, I would not know, but I found this quote.

The New York Times wrote in March '09: “'I’ve been going for over 20 years, and I’d put Soup Bowl as one of the top three waves in the world,' said Kelly Slater, the Tiger Woods of surfing, who recently won his ninth world championship. 'It’s got a really good curve and allows all sorts of maneuvers and airs.'”

Equipment: There are surf shops throughout the island, where you can rent boards, get surfing lessons or buy surfing equipment. The best time of year for surfing is between November and June

Surfing Day (Beach lesson and board) 50 US per person
2 Hour ("Get Wet") 80 US Per Person
6 Hour ("Be a Surfer") 3 days/2hr 180 US per person
Additional 2 hours (each) 50 US per person
Private 50 US/HR per person

Glass surfboards rentals (Ricky Carrol/Local Mottion)

Price Week $160 US
Day $40 US
1/2 day $25 US
1 Hour $15 US

Surftech (Tuflite) surfboardrentals

Price Week $250 US
Day $50 US
1/2 day $35 US
1 Hour $20 US

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About one mile north of Holetown is the government-run Folkestone Marine Park. This is basically an underwater park with exhibits, and beach facilities. I was told that there was an underwater trail there. I was also told that it had been destroyed in the last hurricane.

Neither the people in the gift shop or the folks at the aquarium knew anything about the underwater trail, and I never found it. It was probably out farther than I went.

The Barbados website says:

Snorkelers will prefer to swim around the inshore reef found in the Recreational Zone of the Park. This reef is found about one-third of a mile offshore and is home to numerous fish and other marine life, including sea anemones, sea lilies, corals and sponges.

Before we went snorkeling, we went through the interpretive center and museum with marine and coastal environment displays, exhibits of the island’s fishing industry and a salt water aquarium. I also did a little shopping at the souvenier shop.

Lots of folks go snorkeling off of boats - a combo of a booze cruise and a snorkeling cruise.

Equipment: Folkestone has a good beach, along with fresh water showers. I wasn't sure whether we were expected to tip the changing room attendents or not. When we were there you had to bring your own snorkeling equipment, towels etc.

I had not been snorkeling before this for some time, and did not know what good snorkeling was. While we did see some fish, the snorkeling there is not wonderful, or at least was not when we were there.

There are lots of activities to choose from, just 100 yards along the beach. Everything from glssbottom boat trips, banana rides/doughnut rides, snorkling, horse riding. You can book full day boat trips either for leisure, sun bathing, or sea fishing. Prices can be negotiated, the more people the cheaper per person. See if any other guests fancy joining you. All food and drink are supplied, even what you request, if you give 24 hours acvance booking.

Equipment: All safety equipment is supplied ie. life jackets. As are fishing rods etc. You only need to remember you sun protection cream and your camera. The captain of the boat we hired even came to the hotel the night before our trip, and left sea sickness pills for us in reception.

Lots of watersports on the beach areas, local guys will pull up on there jetskis tel you how much for an hour take it or leave it.
Also get locals using aloe vera to massage your body while sunbathing,sometimes they are pests but if your friendly enough they soon get the message and leave you alone, unless you want one of course.

Get yourself down to the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown to see a game of cricket. Its a great way to meet the locals, they love taking about cricket.

I went to watch the cricket at Kensington Oval to watch Barbados play England 'A' in the Busta cup and have a few cold beers in the "Garfield Sobers " bar....A great experience.

Going to the cricket is great in Barbados. They are a knowledgeable crowd and really get behind their team.

If you get to go to a regional or international cricket match, remember that it can get pretty hot sitting there all day. If you want to escape the sun, try to get seats on the western side of the ground so the grandstand will protect you. It will be easier for you to watch the game too!

Every cricket ground in the world runs north-south so in any case, you have a good vantage point sitting on this side.

If you're attending a cricket match, keep your eyes peeled and you may just see a familiar face. Barbados produced many of the big stars of the past, such as Sir Garfield Sobers, Desmond Haynes, Joel Garner, Gordon Greenidge and the late Malcolm Marshall.

After the day's play had ended between Pakistan and the West Indies, the guys and I ran into Joel Garner having a quiet beer by himself at the back of the grandstand (quiet until we came along anyway ;-) He was friendly and asked us about our trip and seemed like a really genuine, down to earth guy.