PAGE 12 • SUMMER 2007 THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SAILING ASSOCIATION SUMMER 2007 • PAGE 13
SAILING DESTINATION
Barbados by Sail • Barbados Tourism Authority
With turquoise waters, fine dining, perfect winds
and nightly parties, Barbados offers a sailor’s
paradise for those willing to sail the distance.
With a history going back to British colonial times,
sprightly sense of joie de vivre. Witness
Photos courtesy of the
Barbados boasts grand architecture in its rich plantations.
Oistins Fish Fry, a must-do on a Friday
For more information ...
Barbados Tourism Authority
(Next page) Beaches on the island offer spots to sun or sail.
night if you’re in town (there’s a tamer
version on Saturday nights). The
Barbado Tourism Authority
outdoor street party offers an ample
www.visitbarbados.org
I
f you look at a map of Barbados,
World-class sailor Gary Jobson thoroughly with the distillery tour, pop into one of
opportunity to sample Bajan
800.221.9831
from a certain angle it actually
enjoyed his visit to the island. He agrees the local rum shops that dot the island,
that the windward side is more for the as charming and picturesque as the
(pronounced like Cajun) cuisine, the Barbados Sailing Association
looks like a sail—what could be
experienced sailor whereas the leeward locals who run them are warm and
specialty being Flying Fish and Cou-Cou www.sailbarbados.com
more inviting? Perhaps it’s the 70
side, with its sheltered breeze, makes for welcoming. The plethora of rum is a
(a delicious cornmeal and okra blend).
miles of coastline, or the diverse
a more relaxing sail. He suggests renting product of the primary crop on the
Of course if you’ve been sailing around
conditions provided by the Atlantic on
of another sort: that of revelers who
a Hobie Cat or Sunfish off the beach, as island, sugar cane. Its sweet heritage is
the island, you’ve already seen the
one side and the calm Caribbean Sea
enjoy the party atmosphere of steel pan
on the other, that beckon to sailors he did, for some “good fun.” But he also responsible for many of the
abundance of flying fish as companions bands, Calypso music, and the soca-
from a variety of skill levels. Clint also sailed around the island on a 130- historical structures on Barbados, such
on your trip. Hopefully, too, you’ll make samba fusion the island lays claim to.
Brooks, president of the Ocean Racing foot sailboat. “It’s just nice sailing when as plantation houses. Sunbury
a point of seeing the nesting sea turtles The Ship Inn offers live entertainment
Challenge, admits that getting to you get on something like that,” he says. Plantation is a lovely spot to stop for
that make their home on the island. seven nights a week, as do many of the
Barbados is not for the timid sailor. But he didn’t restrict himself to the sea. afternoon tea.
hotspots in the Gap. Another great
The Mount Gay rum distillery was one of
A trip inland to the lush forest of place to kick back with a Banks beer is
his first stops. Barbados is, after all, known as “Little
Turner’s Hall Woods or Welchman Gully The Boatyard after you’ve enjoyed all
“It’s a bit of a geographical hurdle,” he
England” because of its predominantly
Hall, a collapsed cave-turned-ravine, the water sports they have to offer from
says, “because people don’t like to sail
affords a glimpse of Barbados’ famous
What to do onshore
British influence, a holdover from its
scuba equipment to Ocean Trampolines
east. It takes a bit of a push to get
green monkeys and other wildlife like and an Iceberg rock climb.
here.” But once you are here, there’s
Indeed, what’s more perfect for a sailor
colonial days. But the Caribbean spirit
toucan, mongooses, iguana, and yellow
so much to enjoy.
than grabbing a bottle of rum? Along
injects the formal culture with a
birds. St. Lawrence Gap offers wildlife continued on next page
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