This year’s Taste of Cayman was special as it was a first for many new changes.
It was the first time at the new Camana Bay; it was the first to showcase wine as well as food.
And it was the first one to have a skateboard demonstration as added entertainment.
The Black Pearl set up its mini skateboard half pipe to add the Grand Harbour experience.
The Brick House, Dog House and Brew House were serving up food, coffee and wine while the Black Pearl brought down some of their family attractions.
There was the wizard bouncy castle that is set up every Thursday, Friday and Saturday on the Brick House patio which was a big hit with the kids.
But the main attraction was the Black Pearl Mini Ramp. The Black Pearl has been building this mini ramp at every event it can so they can show locals that Cayman is part of an elite group of countries that can boast to have one of the top five skate parks in the world.
The Black Pearl is the second biggest concrete skateboard park in the world, second only to China.
‘The great thing about skateboarding is that you do not have to come to the skate park to do it,’ said Douglas Cameron Jr of the Black Pearl.
‘All you need is some smooth concrete or asphalt and you’re good to go.’
Douglas or JR as the kids know him, says that when he built this ramp in his back yard a couple years ago he had no clue that it would travel around the island so much.
‘It’s been on Seven Mile Beach for last year’s Jet Around Cayman. It was in the Pirates Week parade, which was a dream three years in the making, and we won first place.
‘And finally it was at Camana Bay, at Taste of Cayman.’
Douglas hopes to build a new one next year that will be a little more mobile.
‘We want to tour around the island doing demos at the different districts and the schools.
‘I really hope that some of the parents or politicians will see how simple this sport is to accommodate and maybe we will get some public ramps or parks.
‘I have been putting together a team of skilled expats and locals that are ready to help build these ramps at homes or for public use.
‘You can build a wooden mini-ramp for only $600 in wood that will last a couple years but you do not have to go so big.
‘There are many smaller obstacles that can be built to use in your driveway. Anyone interested in learning more about these ramps please come by the Black Pearl and see me.’
JR said he will help anyone who wants to help him grow the sport in Cayman.
‘The more kids skateboarding hopefully the more will come to our park.’
The Black Pearl skate park is open every single day and costs only $8 a day. There are many different membership prices that go up to $200 for the year.
The Park has a contest every Holiday Monday and is planning one for the Christmas break too.
As for the mini ramp JR hopes to retire this to his back yard and have a new one build permanently on a trailer so he can travel with it easier.
‘Any adults out there who want to help with the kids should come down to the park to check it out and if you have an old trailer bring it down. Remember skateboarding isn’t just for the pros, anyone can learn and some can enjoy just watching or taking pictures.’
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