by BERNARD BABB

BARBADOS as a surfing destination is in line for major exposure through a new sposnorship agreement with a global sponsor.

Reef of Brasil has signed a three-year deal to sponsor the island's major pro-surfing contest, staged annually in November at the Soup Bowl.

The event, which began on Friday and concluded yesterday at Bathsheba, has been branded the Reef Bowl Barbados Classic, with the backing of one of the world's most recognised brands in the manufacture of sandals and surfing wear.

President of the Barbados Surfing Association, Paul Bourne, told NATIONSPORT that the agreement with Reef was a major development and he expected the partnership to be very beneficial for Barbados.

Bourne said the partnership would also enhance the promotion of sports tourism on the island as Reef also brought in a camera crew to capture the event, along with attractive scenes of the island.

Worldwide promotion

"They will produce a video of surfing in Barbados and promote it around the world, using their extensive network," said Bourne.

Reef sponsors several other events in the Americas and approached the BSA to be associated with the major international event in Barbados.

The 2005 Reef Bowl Barbados Classic attracted 90 surfers from 12 countries, including ten female competitors.

Surfers from England, Hawaii, Australia, Spain, United States, Cayman Islands, Trinidad, Puerto Rico, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Mexico and host country Barbados took part in the three-day classic.

The event carried total prize money of BDS$20 000 and organisers said cash prizes were awarded only in the men's open division.

The Reef branding was highly visible at the Soup Bowl over the weekend where hundreds of locals and visitors were on hand to witness the international event.

With Reef sponsorship, organisers said they expected the pro-surfing classic to be even bigger next year.