Darts is making a comeback as a serious Cayman sport. Leading the charge for darts is local player Earl Smith.
Smith is currently leading the local league in perfect scores. He has 10 180s (in darts 180 is a perfect score) so far this season. Smith plays for local team Corner Pocket Regulars.
Smith is also one of the players that will represent Cayman soon. A national team will travel to Trinidad for the Caribbean Championship 24 July-4 August.
Smith feels this year’s team should be successful.
‘The team this year should do good. We have a good mix of veterans and young players. We should open a lot of eyes this year.’
Smith is no stranger to international competition. He won titles at the Caribbean Championships many times over his career. Among his claims is being three-time singles and doubles champion.
His last title was in 2004 when he was the Caribbean singles champion in Fort Lauderdale.
Smith is an established name in dart circles. He has been in Cayman for some nine years. In that time, he has represented Cayman four times abroad.
Originally hailing from the Bahamas, Smith began developing his game starting from 1989. Before coming to Cayman, he also represented his native Bahamas in events overseas.
Smith had more than just the landmarks to learn when he first came. The roots of darts in Cayman were in leisure and socializing. According to Smith, he had to adjust to darts being treated like a game rather than a sport.
Smith said he came from a very different atmosphere. In the Bahamas, there were some 300 people actively involved in darts. Many times there were intense fights to be among the top ten in the country.
Over the years, Smith has seen a gradual shift in the perception of Cayman darts. More people have come forward wanting to play and many want to emulate him.
Smith says the secret to his success over the years lies in practice.
‘I have plenty of practice and I devote hours to playing. I also worked on developing my stamina because darts is a game of endurance. Most people don’t know that in tournaments like the Caribbean Championships you spend 8-10 hours a day on your feet.’
He also added that many new players don’t take into account the darts they use. Smith makes sure he pays extra attention to the weight of the darts he uses.
‘Most pros use 22-23 gram darts. I started out with 24 grams at first and for awhile I stuck with 18 grams. Nowadays, I use 20-21 gram darts.
‘Darts usually come in 24 grams. To get them to the size I want, I use my tools to cut them down.’
In the end, Smith says anyone can do as well as him. The trick he says is putting in the work to raise their play.
‘It takes a lot of dedication and interest. There has to be lots of practice and a liking for the sport.’
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