Watersports

Nisha Williams · Post by **Nisha Williams** » Mon May 14, 2007 2:45 pm

Are there any facilities to rent a jet ski or Katmaran on the island, preferably close to Turtle Beach. Many thanks

Clyde Alleyne · Post by **Clyde Alleyne** » Mon May 14, 2007 3:57 pm

Nisha, the only place that I know of, where you can rent jetskis is at Pigeon Point. Kayaks and windsurfers are also available there. Don't know about catamarans, though.
Clyde

Rachel Crew · Post by **Rachel Crew** » Mon May 14, 2007 7:37 pm

There is a watersports shop at Turtle Beach Hotel - they don't have jetskis but I believe they now have Hobie cats for rent... otherwise the only other place for those is the Windsurf centre at Pigeon Point.

Enjoy!

Nisha Williams · Post by **Nisha Williams** » Tue May 15, 2007 9:19 am

Thanks as always Clyde for your helpful response

Rachel, sorry to appear stupid but could you tell me what a hobie cat is please?

Rachel Crew · Post by **Rachel Crew** » Tue May 15, 2007 4:57 pm

Nisha,

a Hobie cat is a small sailing catamaran, for one or two people... but if you were meaning a large catamaran sailing tour, you could try Island Girl or Kalina Cats (see the 'Out & About' section above).

Steve Pitts · Post by **Steve Pitts** » Mon May 28, 2007 1:57 pm

Hi Nisha

I have just returned from Tobago and can report that jet skis are still available for rent at the entrance point to Pigeon Point Heritage Park.

On the day that we were there three local guys on Jet skis were hammering around at full-throttle, from the pier to the Bon Accord lagoon and making a hell of a nuisance of themselves. These are the guys who tout the skis for tourists to rent and appear to have no consideration for anyone as they dodge around bathers, wind surfers and boat users alike.

At around mid-day a local conch diver was brought back to the pier with a head injury after being hit one of these yobs.

The conch fisherman was fortunate that his injury wasn't too serious - it could have been fatal. Some time later, several local fishermen pulled up to the pier with the culprit in their boat and handed him over to the police who marched him off.

There is now a sign on the pier saying ' Powered water sports prohibited - By Order THA' and about time too.

I get the feeling that most people who go to Tobago and who subsequently return, visit because of the peace and tranquility that the island provides.

Elsewhere on the forum appear comments relating to the speed of change and the negative effects of tourism. Jet skis, to my mind, are symptomatic of all that Tobago doesn't need as a tourist attraction. If these monstrosities were ordered to be blown out of the water, I would willing pay to push the plunger on the detonator

Sorry to vent my spleen in your thread - I'm not a grumpy old fart usually

Cheers
Steve

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Mon May 28, 2007 2:06 pm

Steve,seconded,you're not a grumpy old fart,but Istill agree with you,'ang the blaggards,
David

Steve Pitts · Post by **Steve Pitts** » Mon May 28, 2007 6:29 pm

David Watkins wrote:Steve,seconded,you're not a grumpy old fart,but I still agree with you,'ang the blaggards,
David

On the contary David - I am a grumpy old fart as I'm still on the big come-down after the holiday..... e.g. 'angin's too good for 'em I say !

On a more positive note - we were attending the Caribbean culinary festival on the day in question.

It was really great to see the Pigeon Point Heritage Park living up to its new identity and it was FREE to get in

and was very well organised and attended by many local folk too. What a treat.

Cheers
Steve