The British Virgin Islands will be represented by ten athletes in two sports at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, which will be held on the east coast of Australia from 04-15 April, 2018.

The following athletes have been selected based on their performance in the national and international arena:

Track and Field athletes include Ashley Kelly (400m), Chantel Malone (Long Jump), Tahesia Harrigan-Scott (100m), Tynelle Gumbs (Discus and Hammer Throw), Trevia Gumbs (Discus and Shot Put), Eldred Henry (Discus and Shot Put), Khari Herbert (400m), and Kyron McMaster (400m Hurdles).

Squash players include Joe Chapman (Squash Singles and Doubles), and Neville Sorrentino (Squash Singles and Doubles).

Commending the athletes on their selection, CGA President, Ephraim Penn said that, the Commonwealth Games is one of the five main international sporting events that VI athletes aspire to compete in and it’s not easy to be selected.

“We have a restriction on the number of athletes that can take part in the Games and the selected sports men and women should be justifiably proud that their hard work and commitment has paid off. We are excited to be heading off with what is perhaps one of the largest and strongest teams to represent the territory at these Games.”

Noting further that Hurricanes Irma and Maria caused severe damage to sporting facilities in the BVI resulting in the set back of the progress of sports in the territory, Mr. Penn said they recognize the effort, determination and perseverance required by the athletes to stay on track despite the challenges that they faced from the impact of the storms on their homes and their families.

“And not least, the tragic loss of Athletics head coach, Dag Samuels. The CGA highly commends and congratulates all those selected and looks forward to the positive impact a successful Games will have on the morale of all our athletes and the territory.”

He added, “Australia is a long-haul trip and many of our athletes will begin their journey in a few weeks so that they can settle in, acclimatize and get on with their training regime ahead of their events.
The GC2018 opening ceremony will kick off when the Queen’s Baton Relay – the pre-cursor to the Commonwealth Games which toured through the Virgin Islands July 2 – 4, 2017 – is run into the Carrara Stadium and the Queen’s message to the athletes is removed from the Baton and read to the athletes.

With more than 6,600 athletes and team officials expected from 70 Commonwealth nations and territories from 6 continents to come together to participate in the Friendly Games, organisers of the GC2018 say that this will be the largest sporting event that Australia will see this decade and will be the biggest sporting spectacular the Gold Coast has ever seen.

Photo from BVI Platinum News

Talk about flying in the face of adversity!  I say “very well done” to these young people and their coaches who have had a very difficult few months, but have chosen to rise above everything that has happened and get on with their lives with grit and determination.  Good luck to them all!

I am delighted to announce that the BVI are well and truly back on track and welcoming visitors back to their beautiful shores.

The sailing companies have been back in business for some time offering a full selection of yachts – monohulls, catamarans, power boats and crewed yachts.  There are also yachts by the cabin available for charter at very economical prices which include all meals and drinks.

Sebastian’s on the Beach on Tortola is re-opening in March and the Sugar Mill (also on Tortola) will re-open on 1st April.

Anegada Reef Hotel on Anegada and Anegada Beach Club both opened last December and would love to have you visit.

The sand is still white and warm, the sea is still turquoise and the stunning British Virgin Islands is still uncommercialised and unspoilt….just come and see for yourself.

Call BVI Holidays to book your visit to the beautiful BVI.

I guess you will be wondering about the state of play in the beautiful BVI and when hotels are going to be up and running etc. etc..  For most people, it is going to be some months but the good news is that the Sugar Mill on Tortola plans on re-opening mid-December and so too will the Anegada Beach Club on the island of Anegada which was not too badly affected by the hurricane.  The sailing companies are already taking delivery of new boats and looking positively towards the future.  Beach bars and restaurants are being rebuilt ready to receive their clientele both new and returnees.  Tourism is the BVI’s main industry and the islands need your support.

Think of booking a holiday for 2018 – a lovely combination would be a week (or two) on a yacht and a week at the Sugar Mill or the Anegada Beach Club.  If you can’t sail, don’t worry, a skipper can easily be arranged and you can sit back with a G & T, relax and enjoy the beautiful British Virgin Islands.

The beaches are still beautiful and the waters still shimmering turquoise blue.

Tempted?   Call BVI Holidays to book what will be a truly memorable and magical experience.

People who have never been say “You can’t surf in the British Virgin Islands” – “oh really?” I reply “I beg to differ”.

The waves in the BVI are some of the best in the Caribbean and this means they are world class.  Around the islands’ north shores between the months of November and March, they have waves for beginners, intermediates and even a few for serious advanced surfers.  Waves are generally 20’ from peak to trough, not as huge as what you will see in Hawaii and Australia, but anyone who knows about surfing knows that size isn’t everything!

Steve Howes and Icah Wilmot set up “Surf School BVI” for beginners and intermediates and teach kids of all ages from 8 – 80 and some!  It is located at Josiah’s Bay on Tortola which is a perfect spot to learn or brush up on your existing skills.

Amusing quote….”I’ve always assumed that ironing boards were surf boards that stopped pursuing their dreams and got real jobs” – Mervin Horswill.

If you are interested in surfing, learning to surf, or know anyone who is, please call BVI Holidays on 01279 871188 and I will be happy to arrange flights and accommodation for you.

Image from Surf School BVI

You may know that the British Virgin Islands were discovered by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the New World in 1493, but did you know that he called the islands, the Virgin Islands after the legend of St Ursula and the 11,000 virgins martyred by the Huns in the 4^th century.

Another interesting fact is that a coaling station on Peter Island in the BVI was the last port of call of the royal mail ship, RMS Rhone before she sank off neighbouring Salt Island during a hurricane in 1865.  Today the wreck of the Rhone is a world famous dive spot in the beautiful BVI.

If you would like to dive the Wreck of the Rhone or snorkel the waters of the beautiful BVI, call BVI Holidays and I will be happy to arrange this for you.

Dead Chest Island, is an uninhabited National Park and has three dive sites reached by dinghy from Deadman’s Bay on Peter Island in the beautiful BVI. Coral Gardens is a friendly site for novices and snorkelers and gets its name from the many massive heads of brain, star, and sheet corals resembling an aquatic garden. Dead Chest West offers an interesting archway, caves, bowls, and mazes. Dead Chest Island reputedly got its name when the notorious pirate Blackbeard, after a mutiny, put 15 men ashore on this island with only a bottle of rum, hence the song: “15 men on a dead man’s chest, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.”

If you enjoy snorkelling or diving, Dead Chest is only one of the hundreds of excellent dive sites available for you to explore in the British Virgin Islands.

                                                                                                                                     image courtesy of John Sievert www.pbase.com
BVI Holidays is the only specialist to the British Virgin Islands.  If you would like to find out more about holidays in the BVI you are welcome to  contact us via our Contact Form or call 01279 871188.

I know I don’t usually convey special offers in my Blogs but this is too good to miss and I wanted everyone to know about it!  Peter Island Resort and Spa are offering a whopping 30% discount off the cost of a 7 night stay based on their Ocean View Deluxe room price, plus an automatic complimentary upgrade to a Beachfront Junior Suite with double jacuzzi bath, between 19^th August and 19^th November 2017.  The offer price includes breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner daily, return airport transfers within the BVI, non-motorised water sports, fitness centre, yoga classes, tennis courts, complimentary soft drinks, tea, coffee and mineral water in your room, island tour and access to arguably the best spa in the Caribbean (treatments additional).  This offer is on a first come, first served basis and will not be repeated.

Cost from £2215.00 per person for 7 nights – flights additional.

Don’t miss out, this is only for a limited time – call BVI Holidays today to book this amazing holiday.

One of the fabulous beaches on beautiful Peter Island…..

Anegada – meaning “drowned island” is the most northern of the beautiful British Virgin Islands.  Surrounded by coral, it can be every sailor’s nightmare but IS every beach lover’s dream.  You can walk for miles on Anegada’s pristine white sand beaches and enjoy snorkelling in the warm, turquoise blue waters.  You can also go bone-fishing, kitesurfing, kayaking or spot some of the 200 pink flamingos who have their home on Anegada.

The 18-mile (29 km) long Horseshoe Reef is the largest barrier coral reef in the Caribbean and the fourth largest on earth.  The reef makes navigation to Anegada difficult and charter companies often forbid clients to sail to Anegada to avoid running aground on the reef.

Anegada is the second largest island in the BVI and sparsely populated with only 325 residents.  Sometimes the visitors outnumber the residents!

Anegada Beach Club and Anegada Reef Hotel are two of the lovely properties that we work with on Anegada – both very different and each with their own charm.

If being on a Robinson Crusoe type island appeals to you….far from the madding crowd, then call to book your holiday to unspoilt and beautiful Anegada.  It is possible to combine two islands if you prefer.

Wow – what is this weather like – one minute we are sweltering in 30 plus, degree heat and wearing next to nothing and the next we’re back to woollies and wellies!

Regarding the former, at least in the British Virgin Islands you can pack your summer gear and swimsuits, knowing you will use them every day and that the weather will be consistent.  When there is a short sharp tropical rainfall, it’s not actually classed as rain but….liquid sunshine!

Picnics and cocktails on the beach, paddling around in a kayak, snorkelling the crystal clear turquoise blue sea, lazing in a hammock slung between the palm trees….sounds appealing?  We are not talking Great Britain but the beautiful British Virgin Islands.

Call BVI Holidays to arrange this wonderful holiday for YOU and get packing!  Your hammock awaits…..