The excitement is rising as the big men of Kite boarding begin arriving in Tobago for the second annual Tobago Carnival Regatta 2010 on 19-21 February.

Supported by the THA , TDC , Peakes and Bmobile, the Tobago Carnival Regatta is setting new standards in the traditional sailing regattas regionally. Dubbed “A Festival of Wind”, the Tobago Carnival Regatta is becoming the most radical regatta in the Caribbean, with droves of kite boards, wind surfers, Bum Boats (Double-ender sail boats), young optimists (young people now learning the fundamentals of sailing for the first time) and traditional sailors all taking part in one grand regatta at Pigeon Point.

Already the tongues are wagging, who will be the king of kites this year?  Will it be Orian Jakerov, David Devies, Shern Alexander or the Barbados posse of Burn Corn and Roland Boyce?

Orian Jakerov, a Canadian who grew up in Tobago astonished the crowd with his antics of

 flying through the air and became the first ever, freestyle Champion last year and the number one kite boarder in Trinidad and Tobago 2009. As news of last years competition spread challengers from far and wide started lining up to put Orian to the test.

Among his challengers are Tony “Barn Corn” Walcott who will be looking to make a Caribbean statement in Tobago. The current freestyle and race champion of Barbados, ‘Barn Corn’, recently broke the kite boarding record winning a kite race around Barbados in just under 8 hrs, beating his closest rival who took 10 hours to complete the same distance.

Another contender staking a claim is “Big Wave” Dave Devies from the USA, who is the Tobago Carnival Regatta 2009 Kite Race defending Champion.

With the high level of competitors arriving at Pigeon Point this year all eyes will be glued to the skies as “ Barn Corn’ and his fellow country man Roland Boyce take the game to other kiters from Germany, Sweden, France, England, Holland, South Africa and our local boys to see who will be the Kite Super Power in 2010.

Kite boarding is the fastest growing water sport in the world today and Tobago is no exception. Local boy Shern Alexander is Tobago’s contender. This young man blast into the kite boarding arena with style and talent and will be the only local competing.  Definitely a wild card, Shern is someone to watch, as he is the most improved kiter on Pigeon Point over the last few months.

Truly a spectator sport, kite boarding is awesome to see. Large colourful kites racing across the skies lifting their surfer high into the air twisting and turning only meters from the shore, it is the most popular item on the Regatta line up. 

The promoters of the regatta are all geared up as 2010 promises to be more radical than ever. Log on to http://www.sailweek.com or Check out the facebook page, Tobago Carnival Regatta

 

Carnival is supposed to be freedom. Freedom from stress, freedom from pain, and freedom to let go of your inhibitions, in a way you can’t at any other time of the year.

Recently though, it seems to be more about being at the ‘right’ fete, with the ‘right’ people, and posing looking the ‘right’ way. The essence of bacchanal and fun seems to have been exchanged for a stiff all-about-appearances vibe in fetes from north to south.

Shawn “Da Ma$tamind” Noel is determined to bring back the “Madness” that has defined the season that is Carnival here in Trinidad and Tobago from back in the day when rebel tamboo bamboo bands roamed Port of Spain and later on when following a steelband meant you were a badjohn.

He describes his latest offering for Carnival 2K10, as a release for himself and for all of the true Soca and Feteing diehards that allows them to reclaim the energy he remembers at parties during the season so many years ago.

The lyrics of the song clearly indicate a distaste for those who hold themselves back and who scorn the real revelers who let nothing and no one stand in the way of them having a good time once the music begins to play.

When asked if he is concerned about alienating the more “hoity toity” crowd as he describes them, Noel says, “No I am not because I think when they hear this song they too will remember what this time of year is supposed to mean and they themselves will let go and come join the fun and let the music take them away as it is meant to. My job as an entertainer is to make you the patron forget all of your worries, that includes how you look, how you dance, everything!”
Da Ma$tamind has certainly produced and performs this song with an energy that simply hypnotizes anyone looking on, alongside the lyrics written by Stephan “Kuttit” Abraham that embody all of the feeling that once overtook this twin island from January till Ash Wednesday.
From the response this well renowned producer has been receiving it seems as though he has singlehandedly started a revolution to bring back the Carnival we all know and love. Full of life, love of each other, and most importantly the freedom we all crave as soon as the clock strikes 12 on New Year’s Day.

“Madness” is rolling with a momentum and vibe that no one with ears and a true love for this season can ignore. Thanks to Da Ma$tamind, 2010 is clearly the year in which all Soca and Carnival babies get back exactly what they want!

Cross posted from TropicalFete.com