Lucea cross the harbour event

EVENT BACKGROUND

Established over 40 years ago as a local parish entertainment activity which attracted immediate public support; it quickly became one of the “must see” events for the town and parish, attracting a steady stream of tourists from Negril and Montego Bay;

There is hardly any other event on the north coast which captures and conveys as much uniqueness and excitement as that which is generated by this event;

The swim meet has always had the potential to develop into one of Jamaica’s premier tourism and community events, but was previously lacking national exposure and proper marketing. Past meetings of Caribbean stakeholders in tourism have warned against the over dependence on the traditional sun, sea and sand brand of tourism and highlighted the need for diversification of the tourism product into areas such as sports, culture, and health tourism (Caribbean Tourism Organization, Conference, October 2008, Bahamas: “Re-inventing Caribbean Tourism”);

It is evident that Sports Tourism will continue to grow and will become a significant factor on regional and national agendas for tourism development. It remains conceivable therefore that the Lucea Cross the Harbour Swim and Regatta could be strengthened to become an important Sports Tourism event that contributes significantly to the economy and pride of the community, while adding value to the tourism product of Jamaica.

EVENT OBJECTIVES

The general objectives of this project are:
1. To develop a mutually profitable event for all partners involved in presenting the New Lucea Cross the Harbour Swim and Regatta;

2. To present this event as a premier Sports Tourism event established on the calendar of the Jamaica Tourist Board;

3. To establish a framework within which sound collaboration and cooperation between public and private entities and all stakeholders can be pursued for the enhancement of the community and its development;

4. To strengthen local pride and enhance the social well-being of the community and its people;

5. To generate increased economic activity within the community and increase awareness of the Sponsor‘s Brand during and after the staging of this event.

After consideration of all the above issues, a new team of professionals was identified to undertake the restructuring, re-packaging and presentation of this lively event, with a goal of transforming the activity into a successful and profitable investment and international exposure for Hanover and its environs. We are therefore using this medium to introduce your company to this event for consideration as one of its preferred calendar projects in 2010 Independence celebrations.

THE CONCEPT

Culture and entertainment have traditionally been strong attractions for visitors to Jamaica and for locals alike. Outside of the traditional sea and sun, much of our tourism is based on these elements. The Lucea Cross the Harbour Swim and Regatta presents an exceptional opportunity to merge sports, culture, and entertainment towards the development of a viable annual Sports Tourism product in Western Jamaica Along with an exciting array of sports-based activities, an entertainment package featuring attractive offerings of Jamaican culture and high caliber entertainment acts will be featured.

There is hardly any other event on the north coast which captures and conveys as much uniqueness and excitement as that which is generated by this event;

CROSS THE HARBOUR HISTORY

The idea of the Lucea Cross the Harbour is credited to Ivanhoe Williams a Gleaner Staff Photographer, who in 1962 travelled the island taking pictures. One of the photos he submitted, depicted young men diving and swimming from the DeLisser Wharf, with the story line that suggested the formation of a swimming club in the town.

Members of the Lucea Youth Club spearheaded the drive for a Cross the Harbor meet, which was backed by citizens of Lucea, and became a reality in the fall of 1966. That year Lucea became the second venue for a Cross the Harbor swimming competition in Jamaica. Joy Taylor of Hanover competed in the 1959 Kingston Cross the Harbor swim.

While historical data have been sketchy, articles obtained from the Western Bureau and Gleaner from the early late 1960 - mid 1970s conveyed an essence civic pride for this community event. Initially the event was organized as part of the Water Safety Month program and for many years names like Clive "Babu" Phillips became revered as he was a dominant figure for many years. Other names include: Mrs. Lena Hamilton (Canada) a teacher at Rusea's High School the first woman to complete the Lucea Cross the Harbor swim. Other names like Rupert Fernandez (who now resides in Calgary) and Cecille "Sowah" Miller (deceased) were champions of this great event.

ABOUT LUCEA, HANOVER

Lucea (pronounced Lucy) is the capital and main town Hanover, one of Jamaica's 14 parishes was founded in 1723. Lucea lies between two of Jamaica's most popular resort cities Negril and Montego Bay. From the middle of the 18th century, the people of Lucea provided the rest of Jamaica with most of its produce but mainly exported bananas until the 1960s.

Lucea known for the Lucea yam which was exported to feed Jamaicans working abroad. Fort Charlotte on the seafront of the town was built in 1746 to protect Jamaica's North West from naval attacks. In 1761 it was given the name "Fort Charlotte" in honor of King George III's marriage to queen Charlotte. The fort is said to be one of the best kept forts in Jamaica and has been visited by many notable figures, including Horatio Nelson and Captain Bligh. Fort Charlotte was constructed from rectangular cut stone with the capacity to hold 50 men. There were embrasures for 23 guns although it is rumored the weapons were never fired. Several features of the Fort are still standing today, look out for:
* The artillery store
* Three guns
* A circular base for the rotation of guns

Alongside the fort is an impressive Georgian brick structure known as The Barracks, which was built in 1843 to provide shelter to the soldiers stationed there. In the early 1900s it became the educational center for the town and has now been transformed to become part of the Ruseas High School (founded 1777). In 1982 Rusea High School was merged with the Hanover Secondary School and now has two campuses.

The still fully functional Lucea clock tower was built in 1817 and stands in the town center near the Old Lucea Courthouse on the main square is most striking landmark in Lucea, sporting its grand clock tower. Destined for St. Lucia in 1817 the clock was delivered in error to the town of Lucea. Instead of returning it to St. Lucia the residents raised funds and purchased the clock for themselves. The lions at the foot of the court house were installed by Sir Alexander Bustamante in the 1960s.

Other notable tourist attractions are Lucea's many historical sites that date back as far as the 1700s. Lucea Parish Church (the Parish Church of Hanover) is one of the oldest churches in Jamaica. Although no record of when it was first built exists the first baptism record dates back to 1725, the first burial was in 1727, and the first marriage in 1749. It is said that there is a tunnel that leads from the church to nearby Fort Charlotte, which was a safe haven in time of war. The Hanover Museum sits on the site of a prison dating back to 1776, and houses many historical artifacts significant to Hanover's history.

The Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort and Spa and the Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton, part of a Spanish hotel firm, the Fiesta Group, located in Point, Lucea now form a 1600 unit luxury double resort. Cross the Harbour History The idea of the Lucea Cross the Harbour is credited to Ivanhoe Williams a Gleaner Staff Photographer, who in 1962 travelled the island taking pictures. One of the photos he submitted, depicted young men diving and swimming from the DeLisser Wharf, with the story line that suggested the formation of a swimming club in the town.

.Members of the Lucea Youth Club spearheaded the drive for a cross the harbor meet, which was backed by citizens of Lucea, and became a reality in the fall of 1966. That year Lucea became the second venue for a Cross the Harbor swimming competition in Jamaica. Joy Taylor of Hanover competed in the 1959 Kingston Cross the Harbor swim.

June 21, 197? Organized by the Youth Development Agency Sponsored by Denoes and Geddes Champion angler Henry Daley wins with his 328lb (official weight) catch.

Mr. Eustace Kerr won for largest amount of fish 25lbs. Cross the Harbor winner - Clive "Babu" Phillips Jan Herbert the only woman to finish Participants from five parishes - Hanover, St. James, St. Ann, Trelawny, and Westmoreland

.June 21, 1983 Daily Gleaner St. Thomas emerged winners of the overall championship Hosted by the Sport/Social Development Commission

July 6 Kim Harris 14 year old Campion College student representing St. Catherine finished 8 min 54.2 sec Patrice Campbell and Florena Buntock from St. Thomas finished second and third respectively. St. James boys placed first second and third - Carlton Williams, 23min 16.2 sec

Aug 2007 Derrick McIntosh, Montego Bay 22.54 Desmond Chin, Montego Bay 30.34 Brad Solarge, Lucea 32.03

Aug 2008 Derrick McIntosh, Montego Bay native wins his second trophy at the Lucea Cross the Harbour in 22.27 A seasoned lifeguard and instructor who trains daily by swimming six - eight laps (the equivalent of one mile) from Breezes Montego Bay to Margaritaville each day. Second place went to Patrick Malcolm also from Montego Bay 26.15. Brad Solarge, Lucea 26.22 finished third for the second time in a row. Female first place winner Shelly Ann Lewis finished 34.11 Junior Oshane Hall 14 years old finished 35.41