The new Black Pearl Skate and Surf Park at Grand Harbour is not only an entertainment alternative for families in the Cayman Islands but is expected to attract an entirely new segment of the tourist market, that of the action sports enthusiast, who seeks out thrills and adventure as a form of self-expression and fun.
“There is a small group of skating and surfing aficionados here on the island and we expect that group to grow as people learn more about, and experience the Black Pearl but action sports is a well established industry in North America, and we anticipate the majority of our business to come from this market,” says Michael Bell, owner and developer of Cayman Grand Harbour and the Black Pearl Skate & Surf Park. “We have begun marketing earnestly to stay-over visitors and cruise ship passengers and we expect to have our programmes up and running by the time summer arrives.”
Black Pearl will be offering day camps for both the skate and surf parks to cruise ship visitors which will include transportation to and from the port, equipment rental, lessons with the pros and lunch. There will also be an arts and craft package offered for children. The packages for stay-over visitors are similar but will take the form of all-inclusive weeklong camps that cover airfare, accommodations and access to the Parks.
Black Pearl is the largest concrete skate park in the world and the surf park boasts a waveloch surf machine which simulates 11-foot waves, making it the largest wave machine in the world. Both skate and surf pros are excited about the prospect of a new arena in which to master their skills, says Bell, and it is anticipated that international competitions will be held at the Park in the future. Talks are already underway with ESPN’s X-Games about filming some of the events that will be taking place at the Park.
“This park has the potential to generate tremendous revenue for the Cayman Islands and put this country on the map as THE destination for action sports,” he says. “It is estimated that approximately 34 million people participate in action sports in the US and that over 4 million people attended action sports events in the US last year. Throw in beautiful beaches and warm weather all year around and we have an awesome product to offer to those 38 million people!”
There are over 1,200 public skateboard parks in the US, representing about 800% growth in the last 10 years, and more skateboarders in the USA than baseball players, according to statistics published by The Athletes Agency International, a US-based company which secures athletes, speakers and celebrities for events around the country. In addition, industry trade magazine Sports Business Journal cites ESPN's X Games as the second most anticipated event by teens after the Olympics and ahead of the Super Bowl. Action sports such as skateboarding and surfing do not only appeal to teens; more and more US corporations are getting their executives out of the office and on a board as part of team-building exercises and stress relievers.
“The Park opening comes at a perfect time as we are in a period of rebuilding after Ivan and a shot in the arm for tourism revenue is definitely needed,” continues Bell. “The Black Pearl Skate & Surf Park was my vision but I think that the Cayman Islands will reap the benefits of the Park for generations to come.”
The grand opening of the Park, sponsored by Z99, the Department of Tourism and Bud Lite, will take place this weekend, Saturday, 23 April, when world’s greatest professional vert skater Tony Hawk will be in Cayman. For more information about the Black Pearl Skate & Surf Park, log on to www.blackpearl.ky or call 947 4161.
