Billfish Tournaments
On Tap for Virgin Islands

Virgin Islands waters are bursting with blue marlin from May through October, with fish catching action peaking mid-summer. Anglers can partake of this marlin melee and pocket some nice prizes, too, by fishing the 45th Annual July Open Billfish Tournament (JOBT), July 14-17, followed by the 2nd Annual A.H. Riise BVI Billfish Tournament July 19-23. ...

A=Optimist North American
Championships in Curaçao
For the third time in the 20-year-history of the event, the Optimist North American Championships (Optinam) are being contested in the Caribbean. The Netherlands Antilles’ island of Curaçao is the destination for this June 28 to July 6 event, which is the biggest ever in terms of sailors. Cor van Aanholt, Optinam 2008 organizer, past Sunfish World Champion and father of four young sailors, told us the event is drawing 204 sailors representing 23 countries. ...

Barbados–Make a Stop
Over for Crop-Over Festival
Bajans and Bajan-wannabe’s from around the world party their hardiest July through August when the Crop-Over Festival–the traditional celebration of the sugar cane harvest–reaches a fever pitch. On August 2, island goodies like flying fish, sea eggs and stuffed crab backs are deliciously featured at the Bridgetown Market street fair. “The Cohobblopot”–a blend of drama, dance and ditties–follows the next day along with the King of Calypso crowning “Pic-O-de-Crop Show.” The climax of Crop-Over comes on August 4–Kadooment Day–when costumed bands fill the streets with a pulsating Bajan beat and fireworks light up the evening sky. ...

New Developments Approved
and Denied in St. Thomas
Nearly 50 years ago, a small raft-up of cruisers celebrating with a holiday party in the bay at Great St. James Island to the east of the U.S. Virgin Island of St. Thomas unknowingly set the scene for the bay to be known as “Christmas Cove.” ...