Wilmot encouraged by surfing results

Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter

Danielle Ohayon, Jamaica's top female surfer, finished second in the ladies division at the Suzuki San Souci Pro championships held in Toco, Trinidad and Tobago, on the weekend.

The competition, which was the first in the series of events in the Caribbean Surf Network 2008 season, also saw Luke Williams and Icah Wilmot finishing fifth and 17th, respectively, in the men's division.

The Jamaican surfing team also competed at the Corona Extra Pro held at the Domes Surfing Beach in Rincon, Puerto Rico on the weekend. Darren Muschett, son of Jamaican surf pioneer Dennis Muschett, was crowned men's champion and is one of that island's top ranked professional surfers.

Keeps spotlight on

"These results are wonderful for the development of our budding surf industry," said Billy Wilmot, president of the Jamaica Surfing Association.

"It keeps the international press spotlight on our surfers and validates Jamaica as a surfing nation, as well as justifying efforts to offer surfing as a sport of choice here at home."

Icah Wilmot stated upon his arrival in the island from the event yesterday that it was a good experience despite the sometimes difficult conditions the waves presented.

"I am grateful for the exposure and will continue to improve this performance throughout the year," he said.

The next event of the 2008 CSN Tour will be the Brandens Pro, scheduled to take place from March 21-23 at Brandens, St Michaels, in Barbados.

Other events

The remaining dates for the four-event Caribbean Surf Network tour are the Makka Pro to be held at the South Haven Beach in St. Thomas, Jamaica from July 18-20, and the final at the Soup Bowl Pro, which takes place from September 12-14 in Bathsheba, Barbados.