The late 1980’s saw the beginning of the organized surf scene in the Bahamas when our first National Surf Team competed in the Caribbean Cup in Puerto Rico in 1986 under the leadership of surf pioneers Tim Albury and Scott Patterson. After a brief hiatus, the Bahamas Amateur Surfing Association (B.A.S.A, now renamed the Bahamas Surfing Association, B.S.A.) was re-formed in 1994, with the impetus of Elbow Cay resident Christine McCully, to provide support and sponsorship for young up-and-coming surfers. This led to the Bahamian National Surf Team competing in the Pan American Surfing Games held in Venezuela in 2001, and they are scheduled to compete again in the upcoming Pan Ams to be held January 2006 in Lima, Peru. The current national team is a mix of veterans and exciting young surfers, including Christian Wilhoyte, Lou Kanitsch, Christine McCully, Tim Albury, Scott Patterson, Jeff Gale, Brandon Sands, Joshua Sands, Joe Thompson, Ashley Knowles and Corey Engle. Another dynamic surfer, Blake Sands, has recently left his home break on Guana Cay to pursue his dream of becoming the first Bahamian pro surfer to win an international surfing title. He is currently competing in the Eastern Surfing Association’s contests on the east coast of the United States and is sponsored by Oakley and B.C. Surf and Sport. Travelling surfers, looking to enjoy our uncrowded, crystal clear waves, can choose from three main surf destinations: Guana Cay and Elbow Cay on Abaco, and the island of Eleuthera. There is also a well established surfing community on remote Rum Cay. The wave variety is tremendous, from Indica’s perfect barreling lefts to the long playful walls at Surfer’s Beach. Whatever your experience or ability, the Bahamas has a surf spot for you! Popular accommodation options are the Surfer’s Haven guesthouse at Surfer’s Beach, Eleuthera, which was featured in Surfer Magazine in 2000 and has only gotten better. Here local company Bahamas Out-Island Adventures rents boards, offers surf lessons and guided surfaris on the island. (www.bahamasadventures.com). Another Eleuthera Island Shores resident,
Skip Miller, founded the first Bahamian chapter of Christian Surfers in the same area. On Abaco, please email Neil Aberle at bahamassurfscene@yahoo.com for information on surfing conditions and accommodation options. It won’t be long before more and more young Bahamian surfers start competing on the international surfing circuit, and more people discover the quality surf that blesses the reefs and shores of the Bahamas. But for now, we’ll continue enjoying our uncrowded, perfect lineups and crystal clear Bahamian waves. See you out there!
Christian spins one!
Welcome to Elbow Cay Properties... The best of the Bahamas from $600 to $7000 per week
Vacation home rentals on beautiful Elbow Cay provide you with the ideal vacation experience -- all the convenience and comforts of home! Here you can spend your days on the beach enjoying the turquoise waters and sunshine, or experience the thrills of diving, snorkeling, fishing, or surfing. Rent a boat and do some island-hopping, or stroll the quaint streets of 18th century Hope Town. All this, just 150 miles from the Florida coast! Elbow Cay Properties can help you find the perfect home for your vacation. Browse through our website or give us a call to make your reservation. Looking to buy? Elbow Cay Properties has teamed up with Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty - an internet realty company with new world technology and old world service.
Elbow Cay Properties
Phone/Fax: (242) 366-0569 Email: elbowcayproperties@abacoinet.com
56 - Destination Abaco