The reason I asked about surfing....was I was thinking economic development.
Given that there were a really SUPERB spot to surf SOMEWHERE in RMI, the re may be a large potential for surf tourists, but given that there are hundreds of excellent spots around the world, it would have to have something special to recommend it.
I know there are some spots in areas of the pacific, that have extraordinary surf conditions and people come to these places in droves. Which means revenue.
Its all about BIG waves, big tubes, unusual breaks.
If there is anyone in the know, about special conditions that occur where really great conditions occur, I would like to hear about it.
I mean ALL the islands.
What I am saying is that for instance, at Waimea in Hawaii, there is a time where the waves are stupendous and it draws competition and tons of tourist money.
If there was a times and place, or places where this occurs in RMI, I would find out.
It sounds like Majuro conditions are kind of bad in terms of dirty water etc...this wil NOT work, because people will come there once and talk it down...it will die because of bad reviews. But if there is a place that is pristine and has great or unsual conditions, it may be very exploitable as a surf tourist site.
People interesed in seeing how this works can go to THIS link and see how you can draw in surfers:
There was a recent article in Surfer's Journal magazine in which the author visited Majuro and Arno before setting out for Palau.
I'm sure that there could be the potential for surfing in the Marshalls. There are so many breaks that I have seen from the air. The only problem is the remoteness of these breaks and allowing for local custom in that permission needs to be gained before trotting onto "someones" island.
If someone wants to promote tourism, it might be a good idea to hit all the surf sites and post a location, conditions etc.
Maybe the local surfers, could FORM a club to do this.
Seems that the Coop school is one of the surf spots I saw mentioned, maybe the staff could promote this and use it as a source of funding, meaning, maybe when school is out, offer some "dorm" or camping space for a surf camp. And CHARGE a nominal fee for it. Surfers DO spend money, and if a little package deal put together, it could turn into a regular income source. Maybe the kids might get inspired and someday a world class surfer will come out of RMI and the world will find out and beat a path to RMIs door. Things like this HAVE happened.
Worth a thought I spose.
Message me and I can help by sending links to various surf sites, that have location listings.
Also, there ARE existing tour companies for surfing that will book tours if there is a SUPPORT for it.
It might also serve to find out where the best "breaks" are located around the islands. Try to get as much information about where and when conditions, by season, conditions etc, that hot breaks occur.
I am sure Majuro isn't the only place with surf, and there are probably places that have killer breaks that would draw surf trade, and if they are good enough, thet may run a tournament competition there....read $$$$$$$$$$ tourist and lodging money, and great exposure for RMI. Tahiti has Teahupoo, and it was relatively unknown until a decade ago, and now it's a "go to" place for the world's best surfers. The interesting thing is that local people let surfers stay in their houses for like 60 bucks a day, because the location has no local hotels. Another grass roots income source for locals. The homeowners usually serve two light meals of local type food a day as well as lodging, and the surfers dig the atmosphere of traditional stuff, because so much today is McDonalds and such corporate junk.
Can somebody tell me what the Marshallese Flag means. Im talking about the rainbow & the star (all the pictures on it). Is there anybody out there who can help me.
Significance: The deep blue background represents the Pacific Ocean. The white and orange bands represent the Ratak (Sunrise) and Ralik (Sunset) chains, respectively. The customary symbolism of orange as the color of bravery and white as the color of peace are also recognized. The star represents the cross of Christianity, with each of the 24 points signifying a municipal district of the RMI. The four main points represent the major centers of Majuro, Ebeye, Jaluit and Wotje. The official flag is at an aspect ratio of 2:1.
Jimwi,
The sub-oceanic geography of the Marshall Islands is quite different than that found in Hawaii. The reason the Marshalls don't have tsunamis (there is tidal action, but not the huge tidal waves) is that the underwater shape of the land mass is much different than the shelf structure found around other islands and the water movement doesn't behave the same. Also, while the ocean side reefs may have relatively large waves, there is little access from the shore and the coral is brutal. I remember being told during Peace Corps training that more people were killed by coral than by sharks. I don't believe that surfing options would warrant a major industry.
