Water Sports

News about water sports

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Bonaire Prepares for a Visit by the Wounded Warriors

During the week of October 14-21, 2006, a group consisting of U.S. soldiers and marines, who recently served in Iraq and Afganistan, will arrive on Bonaire to complete their Open Water Diver certifications.

This group of men and women began their training at the Adaptive Water Sport Festival this past July, organized by Disabled Sports USA 2006.  Together with the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA) and its Scuba Tour program, volunteers from Disabled Sports USA, the New York City Fire Department, and the Handicapped Scuba Association, these injured men and women, along with their families, were introduced to the sport of scuba diving.

Now, nine of them have made the decision to continue with their training and complete the Open Water Diver course in the clear, warm waters of a different country and will arrive on Bonaire this Saturday.  Jack Chalk, Manager of Captain Don’s Habitat, which is hosting the group and their spouses and companions, said, “We are looking forward to meeting this extraordinary group, and it is an honor for us to give something back to those who have given so much of themselves.”

To view the schedule of the week’s events, click here.  For additional information about the Wounded Warrior Project, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.  (Source:  TCB Release)

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Hilltop Divers Opens at Caribbean Club with New Services

On October 1, 2006, Hilltop Divers opened their doors as the new dive shop at the Caribbean Club Bonaire.  In a unique setting and location close to northern dive sites, Hilltop Divers offers a complete range of services from air fills to a full retail dive shop and a variety of rental equipment.  Rinse tanks and shower facilities are also available.

Hilltop Divers offers two services new to Bonaire:  The Easy Diving package allows you to park your vehicle at the secure lot at Caribbean Club, grab a tank at the dive shop, and the dive site shuttle services drops you off at one of the scenic route’s dive sites (Oil Slick Leap, Jeff Davis Memorial, Weber’s Joy/Witches Hut, or 1000 Steps) and picks you up after the dive. Upon return divers can take a shower (towel provided) and enjoy a healthy after-dive lunch in the Hilltop Restaurant and Bar.

Additionally they offer a new Drift Dive package which allows for an easy drift dive from Oil Slick Leap to Witches Hut. Hilltop Divers will shuttle you and your gear to Oil Slick Leap and pick you up again at Witches Hut after your dive. You’ll then return back for a shower and have lunch in the restaurant.

For more information or reservations, call 717–7901 or 700-2389 or visit www.caribbeanclubbonaire.com.  The Easy Diving and Drift Dive packages are available daily between 10 AM and 2 PM.  Hilltop Divers is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. (Source:  Hilltop Divers Release)

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Bonaire Sailing Foundation Announces Schedule for Regatta Week

BSaF (Bonaire Sailing Foundation) has just announced the schedule for all activities during Regatta Week from Thursday, October 5 through Saturday, October 14, 2006.

The days will be filled with sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, micro boats, and fishing boats, all competing in several events throughout the week.  Special events abound including the Working Boat Parade, a Pia Pia 10-kilometer Walk, the Jong Bonaire Swim to Klein Bonaire, the FCB 36-kilometer Bicycle Tour. and even a parade of nations.

Nights will be filled with festivities on the Regatta Boulevard from Karel’s Beach Bar, City Café to the Wilhelmina Park, a variety of stands with food, souvenirs, games, shirts, bars, local and International live music and shows. There will be also live music groups with after midnight party at Karel’s Beach Bar, Pirate’s House, City Café. 

For additional information, click here.  (Source:  BSaF Web site)

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Jong Bonaire Holds the Sixth Annual Swim to Klein Bonaire on October 8, 2006

At 8:00 AM on October 8, 2006, many residents and tourists alike will convene on the beach at Eden Beach Resort for the Jong Bonaire Sixth Annual Swim to Klein Bonaire.  This is an event which has become very popular, with the number of participants growing each year. 

The entry fee is NAFl 15.00 (USD $8.43), and tickets can be purchased in advance at Jong Bonaire, BonFysiotherapie, Croccantino Restaurant, or De Freewieler.  Entry fee also includes lunch and a drink upon return. Swimmers may elect to swim without aids, or they can use mask, fins, and snorkel.  Safety boats are available and will return swimmers to Eden Beach, or swimmers may choose to swim back.

Those interested in participating should download the Release of Liability (either adult or child) and bring to registration at the event.

All proceeds go to Jong Bonaire, the teen center for Bonaire.  (Source:  Jong Bonaire web site)

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Fourth Quarterly Clean Up Dive of 2006 Declared a Success by Participants

On Saturday, September 16th, 2006, a group of 32 divers met at Bonaire Yellow Submarine to prepare and coordinate for the final clean up dive of 2006. 

After a comprehensive briefing by Jake Richter of NetTech (a co-sponsor of the Quarterly Clean Ups), the group geared up and headed out to the dive site, an area of coastline between the Something Special dive site and the fisherman’s pier. All divers were briefed as to what type of trash to bring up, as well as information on how to avoid harming the reef or other marine animals.

By 2:00 PM, the volunteers were all geared up and in the water where they found a rather strong current going north. Equipped with bags, scissors, and lifting gear provided by Yellow Submarine, the divers managed to collect over two hundred kilograms (440 pounds) of garbage, consisting of numerous bottles and cans, cups and plates, pieces of fiberglass, lost parts of an outboard engine and nine car tires. Even a brand new towel was found, which will be re-cycled for use. An upside down wheelbarrow remained, as the sea had already begun to claim it as its own: coral had begun to colonize on the metal.

At 5:30 PM, a pot luck barbecue was held for all participants. Drinks and the main course were supplied by the sponsors, while the volunteers brought in soup and salads. Some Danish divers who had participated also contributed with a huge amount of delicious tuna.

A special treat was the prize of an Akona gear bag, donated by sponsor PSI/Sherwood Scuba, which was awarded to Marjolein van Schaik Martinet for having found the most unusual piece of garbage during the clean-up dive--a working bicycle bell.

The next quarterly underwater cleanup will be conducted on Saturday, January 13, 2007--all are welcome, divers and non-divers alike. Meet at Yellow Submarine at 1:00 PM.

For more information about the quarterly cleanups, click here.  (Source:  Dive Friends Bonaire and NetTech, N.V. Joint Press Release)

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Belmar Oceanfront Apartments Announces 2007 Specials

Belmar Oceanfront Apartments on Bonaire recently announced their 2007 specials for both dive groups and individuals.

Dive groups can now take advantage of “Belmar’s Crazy Group Deal"* which includes the following items when Belmar’s regular Drive, Dive & Stay package is booked:
-- Bring 8 but pay only for 7 divers;
-- Free Upgrade to unlimited Nitrox for every person in the group;
-- A Free BBQ for your entire group**;

Drive, Dive & Stay packages start at USD $481.00 per person *** and include 7 nights accommodation, 6 days unlimited shore diving, 7 days car rental, and all taxes. Valid for new Drive, Dive & Stay bookings only with travel and stay between April 14 and December 14, 2007. Reservations must be completed by January 31, 2007.

Individuals can also take part in this special. From April 14 through May 31, 2007 take advantage of the “Bring A Buddy For Free"-special* where every second diver is free. As an extra bonus everybody gets a Free BBQ-dinner**.

July and August 2007 are family months and divers as well as non-divers can profit from the “7=6"-special* where guests can stay a full seven nights, while only paying for six room nights. Additionally, every person in your party gets a Free BBQ-dinner**. This provides a discount of nearly 15%, plus an added value of nearly USD $20.00 per person with the Free BBQ.

For more information, please call your favorite travel agent, email to , call toll free in the US/Canada at 1-888-655-0605, or visit www.belmar-bonaire.com.

* For new bookings only, cannot be combined with other specials;
** Free BBQ-dinner is excluding beverages and will be served at Buddy Dive Resort on Friday Night.
*** Based on 6 persons in a 3-bedroom condo during the low season.

(Source:  Belmar Oceanfront Apartments)

Monday, September 04, 2006

Buddy Dive Announces DEMA and 2007 Specials

With the DEMA diving trade show fast approaching, Buddy Dive on Bonaire announces their show special for groups, as well as a 2007 special for individual travelers.

The DEMA special is for groups and is perfect for either small or large groups since every eighth diver is free.  Also, guests receive a complimentary upgrade to unlimited nitrox and, on top of that, 50% discount on every group member’s restaurant and bar bill (maximum USD $75.00 per person per week). To make it even better, all group members receive a free upgrade to unlimited boat dives (when booking the 6-boat dive package) if the reservation is booked and deposited prior to the DEMA show. This offer is valid for travel, stay and departure between April 15th and December 14th, 2007. Reservations need to be made prior to January 31st, 2007.

If you’re traveling with a smaller group or your family, there’s no need to feel left out as because Buddy Dive has decided to continue Buddy’s Super Spring Saving--giving you free unlimited nitrox and a 50% discount on food and beverages (maximum USD $75.00 per person per week) when staying between April 15th and May 31st, 2007.

For more information, please contact your favorite travel partner, call 1-866-GO-BUDDY or mail to .

Please note these specials are for new bookings only and cannot be combined with other special offers. Food and beverage credit cannot be used at Lions Den Restaurant.  (Source:  Buddy Dive)

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Bonaire Holds 15th Annual Local Fishing Tournament

This Sunday, all fishermen are invited to participate in the 15th Annual Bonaire Local Fishing Tournament.  This popular event celebrates the maritime history of Bonaire, significant to many local families whose maritime history may go back several generations.

Each year, the event is dedicated to a local, Bonairean fisherman who fishes by traditional methods, and this year Ramon Graciano Janga is honored.  Boats can depart at any time on Sunday, September 3rd for the one-day tournament, but must be back in by 5:00 PM, when the catch will be registered.  In keeping with Bonaire’s reputation for reef conservation, certain restrictions on fish eligibility do apply.  For example, no reef fish, shark, or moray eels can be caught, and no fish under 2 kilograms is eligible.

Registration is free and can be done at the home of Dui Diaz (next to Richard’s Restaurant) by 5:00 PM on Saturday, September 2, 2006.  Be sure to bring proof of boat registration.  (Although boat crews may be of any nationality, boats must be locally registered with the Harbourmaster’s Office.) All registered participants will receive dinner, beverages, and 2 t-shirts.

Friday, September 8th, 2006, is the feast day of the Virgen del Valle (the patron saint of fishermen) and awards will be presented after the traditional “Blessing of the Fleet” at 6:30 PM.  All awards reflect safety equipment necessary to safe operation; VHF radios, flair kits, compasses, GPSs, and first-aid kits are just some of the awards.  The grand prize will be a 17-foot open skiff handmade here on Bonaire by master boat-builder Luty Craane.  (Source:  Tournament Organizers)

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Bonaire Welcomes the Wounded Warriors in October

During the week of October 14-21, 2006, nine U.S. soldiers and marines, eight men and one woman who have been seriously injured, will come to Bonaire along with members of their families and representatives from the Handicapped Scuba Association and DEMA to complete the final step in the process of obtaining their dive certifications.

These wounded warriors began the process of scuba certification in July, 2006 at the Disabled Sports USA 2006 Adaptive Water Spots Festival.  As part of its nationwide Wounded Warrior Sports Project, this festival provided the opportunity for injured service men and women, many with single or multiple amputations, to experience water sports like sailing, water skiing, and scuba diving. Of the eleven service people who tried scuba at the Festival, nine of them decided to pursue their dive certification in the warm waters of another country, and Bonaire provides the ideal location.

For additional information, click here.  (Source:  TCB Press Release)

UPDATE: 2006-08-31 - We have just updated the link shown above with the English language press release from Tourism Corporation Bonaire.

Sixth Annual Bonaire Eco Swim To Be Held on October 21

This one day event will include a 10k Swim along the coastline of Bonaire, the Deep Blue 5k swim from the coast of Bonaire to Klein Bonaire and back rounding fixed buoys, The Metric Mile, a swim from just off Klein Bonaire to the coast of Bonaire and the Fun Swim, which will be approximately 200 meters along the coast of the Island. 

The races will take place in the morning with an awards ceremony that afternoon.  The entry fee for the Deep Blue 10k, 5k and Metric Mile is $75 per swimmer per event and includes welcome dinner, t-shirt and swim cap.  For more information on the event visit http://www.AquaMoonAdventures.com.  (Source:  EZ News)