Honeymoon at a Sandals in Jamaica

adamel111 · Post by **adamel111** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 2:57 pm

Does anyone have experience at any of the Sandals resorts in Jamaica? Are any of the resorts better equipped for windsurfing? I probably can't spend too much time sailing, but I'm sure I could get out a couple of hours here and there if the conditions are raging.

Definitely headed to a Sandals in Jamaica so other destinations won't be entering the equation.

dave t · Post by **dave t** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 3:53 pm

Sandals Montego Bay is where I learned to windsurf....on my honeymoon.
I could go out and back right away and by the end of the week the director wanted me to try the glass slalom board they had hidden behind the watersports hut. Only thing was I had to be on the plane in three hours and no way did I have time to figure out waterstarting.

The equipment was OK for someone who didn't know anything .... like me. Maybe they get out the good stuff for those who know the difference. That was fifteen years ago too so I imagine things could be very different.

Seems like there was always some wind but only once that it was short board wind. We were there in early June.

Josh J · Post by **Josh J** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 4:25 pm

I have been to Sandals in St. Lucia. They had three or four boards from the late '90s and non-monofilm beginner type sails. The guy said they can't afford to get good, new equipment because almost every one that wants to windsurf is brand new and is very hard on it. I got out for a few hours and it was decent. Although if I would have brought my own harness it would have been a lot better since they didn't have any available.

adamel111 · Post by **adamel111** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 4:31 pm

Thanks for the advice. I think I'm going to call to see what equipment they have and if it is different at different resorts. I'm definitely brining my own harness (don't leave home without it). If the equipment is a little subpar, I may try to fly down one of my own slalom boards.

The Royal Caribbean is probably where I'll stay (has a private island and on the north shore where I think the windsurfing is supposed to be the best).

Keep the advice coming!

bill keitel · Post by **bill keitel** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 8:37 pm

Whoa! Congratulations are in order! I spent a very enjoyable week (a year or two ago) in Ocho Rios-Jamaica- A Sandals....I think. I can look it up if need be. They had windsurfing equipment, I used it a number of times when the wind was up. It was weird.....they would haul the equipment to the water.....so all I had to do was harness in and take off! When I returned to the shore.....they would be there to meet me and take the equipment.....as not to burden me with the loathesome task of hauling it ten yards back to the windsurfing hut.
Recalling the winds were light, the waves were big long ocean swells, sailing them was like surfing up and over elephant backs! I was determined to exersize some caution (as I've been known to screw up in "high wave" beach closings!) I deciced to only go out as far as the small Sunfish sailboats....perhaps 1/4 mile off shore. I sailed and sailed...seeming not being able to get much closer to them. After sailing over 50 to 75 "elephant backs" ....to my astonishment I realized that they were not "Sunfish sailboats"....but but a full size sailing fleet out another 3 miles!
I came about & headed back to the resort with the serious conviction of a "lake sailor". My resort was now just standing two inches off the distant shoreline. My confidence was rebuilt as I stopped enroute back to my resort beach head , to assist some other hapless sailors right their Hobie cat.
It was an enjoyable week, the equipment was not current and was "rental quality" a notch above beginner equipment. Some windsurfers brought their own equipment. I found myself wishing for an upgrade....but considering it was free for the use and they were doing all the rigging.....it was fun!

Congrats,
billkeitel

champlin · Post by **champlin** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 6:11 am

I was in Negril about 9 years a go and they had old junk then, usually resorts don't replace there equipment unless it's totally destroyed which really probably means they have old stuff. I was in Negril in December and there was no wind at all, it's going to be a crap shoot no matter where you go, if you have your own equipment and can afford to bring it I would.