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Derricks, St. James in the vicinity of the Cliff Restaurant was buffeted by the high surf.

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The large swells brought significant debris onto the beach at Six Men’s, St. Peter.

RIDING THE WAVES

Large sea swells a surfer’s delight

SEA bathers and fishermen along the Western coast have been heeding the Barbados Meteorological Services’ advice to stay out the water, however surfers have not.

The Met office weather report stated that the seas would be rough in open water with swells from 3.0m to 4.0m. Therefore, a high-surf advisory and small-craft warning have been in effect for Barbados from last Sunday evening until Wednesday evening.

In the area of Thunder Bay, St. James, surfers, both local and tourists of all ages, could be spotted riding the waves and having fun. Those who watched safely from the shore used the opportunity to photograph or record the activity.

Speaking to The Barbados Advocate, the surfers said the large swells were “ideal for surfing”. One United States of America visitor among the group, who opted not to give his name, further said that he preferred the St. James location because the waves at the Soup Bowl in Bathsheba, St. Joseph were too big.

Surfer Alexander said the sea condition was “ideal, prefect” for surfing. He advised non-surfers to stay out the water while he cautioned surfers venturing in to “surf with wisdom”.

“Don’t surf waves that are too big. You monitor the waves and you surf the waves that are big enough for your skill level and for your fitness level, that is what it is really about. You surf waves that are compatible with your fitness and your skill level. You don’t surf waves that are bigger than you can surf, that are above your skill,” he cautioned.

Fishermen and a watersport operator at the nearby Millie Ifill Fish Market said some of the surfers had been in the water since 5:30 in the morning. They however said they were doing the opposite and staying on land. One senior fisherman explained that his colleagues would be using the time to relax or carry out repairs to their vessels.

He added that they expected the bad weather, though they thought it would have come at an earlier time. Further stating how it would impact business, he said, “This is usually the flying fish period, there are no flying fish. If it was better, the guys would have gone out fishing.”

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