Makka Pro Big For St. Thomas, Jamaica

Bull Bay, Kingston, Jamaica, July 6, 2010 - The 2010 Makka Pro surfing contest being hosted by the Jamaica Surfing Association, The Caribbean Surf Network, and the Mid Atlantic Pro Surf Series at the Makka Surfing Beach at Southaven, Yallahs Saint Thomas from July 16 - 18 is shaping up to be one of the biggest ever surf events in Jamaica! The JSA has already been contacted by pro surfers from Barbados, Trinidad, Florida, California, Philippines, Italy, Venezuela and the Bahamas regarding participation in the event.

    With the recent successes by Jamaican surfers on the regional and international stages, the surfing world is now taking Jamaica’s surf much more seriously. The Makka Pro, now in its 4th year, is demonstrating that the Jamaica Surfing Association is committed to ensuring Jamaica becomes recognized as a genuine destination for adventurous surf travelers.

    “The creation and growth of this event is putting the alternate tourism spotlight on a region of Jamaica that has been neglected for a long time,” Said JSA President Billy Wilmot. “Now the eastern end of our island can stand up and present world class extreme sporting attractions and vacation options that cannot be offered by Jamaica’s traditionally promoted tourism products at the other end of the island.  A genuine niche market has been identified in Jamaica.”

    More and more local businesses are now coming forward interested in being a part the major annual calendar event for the Southwest Saint Thomas community. Citizens are seeing surfing as the foundation for establishing tourism as a viable business option for their area. “Saint Thomas have whole heap of attractions already,” said one informed and enthusiastic resident, “Morant Point Lighthouse over 100 feet high and built in 1841 is the oldest lighthouse in the island, Reich with the 30-foot water fall, big pool and underground springs, Paul Bogle Statue in the center of Morant Bay, Bath natural mineral spring and Botanical Garden, Stokes Hall, the 17th Century property of the former Governor of Nevis, Blue Mountain Peak and now Surfing.  Man, we gone clear!”