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THE BARBADOS DARTS FESTIVAL
DARTS FOR ALL IN A STUNNING LOCATION

This year’s Barbados Darts Festival from October 25 - November 5 is now in its sixth year and it promises to be bigger and better than ever.  Hosted by three times World Champion John Lowe and his wife Karen, it offers darts players of all standards from the UK and Europe, both men and women, the opportunity to play social and tournament darts against players from Barbados and the Caribbean, Central and South America, Canada and the USA – and have a wonderful time in one of the world’s most sought after holiday destinations.  

Last year’s event got the thumbs up from everyone who participated and they were made to feel extremely welcome by their “Bajan” hosts who were most generous in their hospitality.  The new and well appointed venue at Solidarity House was ideal for staging the larger tournaments and it will be in use again this year for the major events – central of which will be The Carib Beer Caribbean & South American Masters.  The winner of this event, confined to passport holders of the region, will come to England to try to qualify for the PDC World Championships in December.  

Last year John Lowe was hugely impressed by the standard of darts displayed by the players from the region and went on record as saying that the contests would have graced any professional tournament.  

Since its inception The Barbados Darts Festival and the celebrities that have hosted it have provided a new stimulus and incentive to darts players in the region to raise their game.  Last year’s Pine Hill Youth Tournament also attracted over 30 youngsters, boys and girls, to take part.

Last year’s winner of the Carib Beer Caribbean and South American Masters was Vivekanand Dyal from Trinidad and Tobago.  He traveled to the Aston Villa football stadium in December and narrowly lost 5 – 3  but will be a better player for the experience.  

However, he will face stiff opposition this year from his fellow countryman Rahaman Hassanali, the Guyanese players Norman Madhoo and Sudesh Fitzgerald and Bajans Winston Cadogan, Anthony Forde and Roger Edwards.  And there is sure to be a new rising star by the time this tournament begins on November 3!  

On the Friday prior to this will be held pairs tournaments for both men and ladies and on the Sunday will be the mens and ladies singles.  These events are open to all those who have signed up for the trip through Tour Operator Sun Living Sports Travel and they offer substantial cash prizes for the winner and those making the semi-final spots.   

Those coming on the 11 night trip will have the chance to play in a variety of darts venues – the world famous Ship Inn just across the road from the hotel, up country at the uniquely Bajan A & T Hideaway, right next to the ocean at Almond Bay and the very well appointed Solidarity House.  

But it’s not all darts!  Most of the days are set aside for leisure activities and there are a good number of nights when darts is optional.  If last year is anything to go by participants won’t want to miss the day out on the Catamaran where you can snorkel and swim with turtles, the Island Safari in Land Rovers where you see the island from off the beaten track, take in the dinner show at Bajan Roots and Rhythms and try out the excellent golf courses on the island – Barbados recently staged the World Cup of Golf.  And, talking of World Cups, this year, in April, Barbados will be hosting both the Super 8 matches and the final of The Cricket World Cup.  

John Lowe has traveled all over the world playing darts and is known for his down to earth approach to everything and he is now a great fan of Barbados and the Festival.

“There is no better place for a darts holiday than Barbados.  Karen and I love it and we have made some great friends there.  It has everything you need - all on a tropical island - and the Bajan hospitality is incredible.  It’s a trip of a lifetime and once experienced, like Karen and I, you are bound to want to go back!”  

Prices for this year’s Barbados Darts Festival start from £850 per person ( 2 sharing a room ) from Manchester for a 14 night package from Monday October 22 and there is an 11 night package from Gatwick departing on Thursday October 25.  

(Taken from a recent article in Darts World Magazine and published at the request of)

Michael Heal: Festival Director.

For more details contact fully licensed tour operator Sun Living on 01623 795365

OR Visit www.sunliving.co.uk  

OR dominique@sunliving.co.uk