Jamaica Hotels Catch Community Awareness with Jamaica Fishing Tournaments
October Events in Oracabessa and Treasure Beach Promote Local Pride & Responsibility
JAMAICA (September 27, 2007) – This October, Island Outpost, a collection of Jamaica Hotels & Resorts once again embraces its ties to Jamaican communities and welcomes all to participate as two properties present major fishing tournaments: Goldeneye’s 10th Annual Marlin Tournament in Oracabessa and Jake’s Hook N’ Line Fishing Tournament and Fish Fry in Treasure Beach. The events are open to guests and local residents.
It is Island Outpost’s honor and commitment to host Jamaica’s most spirited fishing tournaments,
– said Island Outpost President and owner of Jake’s, Jason Henzell.
“Not only is each event a tool to support community development projects, they are also venues for neighbors to connect and celebrate their strong identities.”
GoldenEye’s 10th Annual Marlin Tournament:
GoldenEye will stage its 10th Annual Oracabessa Marlin Fishing Tournament on Sunday, October 7, 2007 at Oracabessa Bay/James Bond Beach. Million dollar boats? Not here. What can be found is a celebration of indigenous fishing culture as local fishermen (and women!) test their skills with nothing more than their boat, a length of fishing line and the strength in their arms.
The Oracabessa Marlin Fishing Tournament is a non-profit, community-based event, free for all participants and spectators. It is the result of an active partnership between GoldenEye, St. Mary Fisherman’s Cooperative and the Oracabessa Foundation. The events goals are: to create a family-oriented community day; promote environmental awareness and sustainable fishing practices; and raise funds for the purchase of safety equipment needed by the St. Mary Fisherman’s Cooperative.
Fishing boats set to sea at 7:00 am in hopes of hooking the biggest marlin. Landlubbers can take part in an array of activities to test their own fishing skills! The “Reel in the Marlin” contest replicates the haul of a 150lb fish; “Precision Casting” tests casting skills; and the “Team Boat Landing” race will see teams of four competing to land a boat the fastest. Environmental education booths come courtesy of local organizations Friends of the Sea, National Environmental and Planning Agency, the Maritime Authority, Institute of Jamaica and the Natural History Department. Other activities include face painting, bounce-about, trampoline and crowd favorite the St. Mary BMX Stunt Bicycling Jam. New for 2007 is an exhibition from the world-famous Reggae Xplosion Museum.
After the weigh-in station closes at 5:00 pm, prizes will be awarded to: Biggest Marlin, Biggest Nonbill Fish, Most Weight Total Catch, Most Courageous Fisherman and Best Fisherwoman. Also up-for-grabs is the “Prettiest Boat” Award open to entrants who participate in the boat painting day prior to the Tournament. Once the Awards Ceremony finishes, the “after-tournament” fun begins with vibes provided by Teflon Sound.
Jake’s Hook N’ Line Fishing Tournament and Fish Fry:
Also this October, running from the 13th to the 15th, Jake’s in Treasure Beach will be co-sponsor of the annual Treasure Beach Hook N’ Line Fishing Tournament, Fish Fry and Fun Day on the Calabash Bay fishing beach in St. Elizabeth. Now in its 11th year, the Hook N’ Line Tournament sees local fishermen vying for prizes by catching the largest fish using only the traditional fishing method of a simple hook and line. A three-day competition, the fisherman with the weightiest fish at the end of the weekend wins the tournament. Other events include a boat race, local talent show, fish fry and community beach party. Guests are welcome to go fishing with local fisherman to test skills in catching the biggest King Fish, Barracuda, or Jack Fish. Proceeds amassed at this event (through the tournament’s entrance fees and purchases of souvenir t-shirts) go toward various projects supported by Breds The Treasure Beach Foundation, the local community based non-profit. This year’s fundraising efforts are in aid of repairing the community’s ambulance—an integral part of the volunteer emergency response system Breds and a team of New York emergency doctors established in the small fishing village over five years ago. For more information visit www.breds.org
Island Outpost’s fishing tournaments are the latest in its long roster of charitable initiatives. Giving back to the culture he so highly regards, owner Chris Blackwell established Island ACTS (Assisting Communities Toward Strength), which serves as an umbrella for Island Outpost’s many charities throughout Jamaica and works towards the advancement of education, healthcare and community development. The charities created and supported by Island ACTS represent a cross section of Jamaica communities and lifestyles. They include: Oracabessa Foundation, established by Chris Blackwell to promote the sustainable development of Oracabessa and its environs; The Mary Vinson Blackwell Foundation in the Parish of Trelawny, dedicated to the renowned fashion and home furnishings designer; and BREDS, a non-profit organization formed in 1998 by Henzell and Peace Corps volunteer Aaron Laufer to promote sports, education, culture, emergency health care (Breds run community ambulance service), and environmental awareness in Treasure Beach.)
About Island Outpost:
Created by Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records and Palm Pictures, Island Outpost properties are known for their interesting character and stunning surroundings and strive to offer their clients a feeling reminiscent of staying at a friend’s home. The group includes GoldenEye, Strawberry Hill, Jake’s, and The Caves in Jamaica, Compass Point and Pink Sands in The Bahamas and an exclusive selection of villas.
For more information or to make a reservation, call 1-800-OUTPOST or visit islandoutpost.com, 44 (0) 1895 450 731 in the UK.
Contacts
Public Relations US
Andria Mistakos PR
[email protected]
+1 561.266.0568
