Watersports in DR??????

[misspiggy]

I have heard that the DR is getting pretty big in watersports....does anyone know what specific sports are used at the beaches of this country? Is it worth setting up surf / paragliding / kite or diving schools????? Is it difficult to get permissions to set up a business in DR?

[Ken]

There are already of number of such businesses in the resort areas, at least on the north coast.

[Steady]

I think it would be a great idea to set up a business which is geared to the surfers. Some locations appear to have no facilities close by. Keep at it and have faith!

[Dolores]

Come for an extended visit and stay in Cabarete, Puerto Plata to get a good idea of what is being offered. Cabarete is the prime Dominican watersports destination. Then you will have a better understanding of the standards and the competition.

[Giggles]

Kitesurfing is the way to go these days.... From Bozo beach all the way along to Kite beach in Cabarete is going to be the hotspot in the next few years if the last two years of the sports popularity here is anything to go by! Business is booming along with the land prices and rents so get in there quick....Good luck

[marina]

There is no space left (land to buy, anything to rent) or hotel left to open a kite school on either Kite Beach or Bozo Beach. There are already 7 kiting schools and 5 windsurfing schools here. It would be better for you to come and check things out for yourself first.

[Giggles]

Definitely come and take a look, I've lived in the area for over 10 years and there is still land parcels available, you just have to find out who owns it...

[marina]

Giggles we have lived here for 10 plus years as well, have been involved in windsurfing and now kiting for the past 5 years. Okay you can buy a parcel if you want to teach in onshore winds, have your students dragged across rocks/reefs, have equipment and students be trashed by waves and many other hazards that are not conducive to teaching the sports safely. I am not trying to inhibit someone from opening a watersports business in Cabarete or anywhere else in the DR. However, there are many safety concerns concerning space in consideration of the existing businesses already here, responsible teaching, equipment safety, rescue, etc., etc., etc. that need to be considered! On Punta Goleta Bay/Kite BEach, there is not another lot to buy unless you want to be squeezed in on a single lot between two 3 story hotels, or buy overinflated villas that have increased by $200K in the last year. On Bozo Beach which is the zone for kiting, the last two lots were just purchased by a local developer and the lots further down the beach are completely unsafe for teaching.

[Giggles]

Quite the response to such a little comment? Wouldn't have said a word if I thought it would upset someone?

My apologies.

Ciao

[marina]

response is because I don't want to see kiting banned due to an accident in Cabarete. Market is already oversatured and people are starting to teach in unsafe areas to visitors who don't know any better.