Surf Breaks of Barbados - January 02, 2021 - Duppies

I do not know where the name came from but as a guess and from experiences here...this place can terrify you! As far as I am concerned, this is the Grand Father of all breaks in Barbados. On occasions, the waves here can be perfect but just too Big for anyone to paddle out to. I have surfed here many times, but this is the place that stopped me from challenging myself in big waves.
I did not get bombed but I found myself caught way out in the ocean by a freak set which I barely paddled over, knowing fully well that if I was hit by one of those waves, the probability of survival would be extremely low.
Now that is not an exaggeration and I am sure that many surfers have found themselves in that same situation here. As this is the most northerly break (with the exception of North Point) you do not get a warning that something huge is coming and by the time that you do, it is impossible to paddle in, so head for the horizon and pray.

[@kendallturnage9058]

I watched Mark Holder and Hoggy have a floater contest at Duppies in 1988... the sets were easily triple overhead, those two were doing floaters while we were in survival mode. To this day, I have never seen anyone do floaters in waves that big. Props to those two incredible surfers.

[@bajanwarrior]

Many of our older surfer's talents were not appreciated, as the sport was considered a beach bum activity. I have dropped hundreds of waves, all over the island with the two guru's, that you have mentioned. Although "land lovers" may never have acknowledged them as trend setters, the entire surfing community, both local and international, especially those who have surfed Soup Bowl, respect them and still look up to them as "Chargers".

[@bettyforde9423]

So beautiful and yet so dangerous

[@bajanwarrior]

They are lovely and colorful, really pretty

[@dhoover5480]

Travelled there several times in the 70s + 80s. Jan + Feb full moons was a preferred strategy + it worked very well. A severe cold front in Florida moving south is really needed for power. Locals told us Duppies means GHOSTS. I never thought it was spooky or terrifying other than being on the outside lineup with 6-8 ft sets + a 12 ft sneaker set stands up way past where you can get to without getting a good thrashing (like Moss Landings in Ca). Being a regular foot I truly loved it, + if too big would just go down to Maycocks. Wonderful people + culture. Lived in Speightstown + Holetown when there - still miss my flying fish cutters + grew to love Mount Gay rum mon. Half Moon bay, Gibbs, South Point, Freights, Brandons, Bathsheba, etc - many choices

[@bajanwarrior]

thank you for your share, you have seen those Duppies if you have experienced those 12ft sneakers, especially if your equipment is designed for the 6-8 footers. and you have nailed it, so many options if here gets too big as the secret spots come alive then. flying fish cutters and Mount Gay, you have enjoyed the best I see...😁

[@dhoover5480]

@@bajanwarrior you are so blessed to live there I have surfed many places since I started surfing in the 60s. Barbados 3x, Mexico California 6x, Costa Rica 12X, Tortolla BVI, Australia's east coast from Sydney to Burliegh Heads Up and down Florida east coast for 55 years and at 70 still able to style in New Smyrna where I have lived since 1972 But the place nearest to my heart is big surf at Duppies. I had an 8ft 3 inch Tomb and Reeves gun made for that wave and needed every inch of it That board is on display in the Cocoa surf museum having been to Barbados every trip I can still picture every step down, zig zagging to the beach at Duppies in my mind. My last time there in 1988 I had to ride my 6'5" at Dups, not anticipating it would be big enough for the big gun. My first three 7' walls snuffed me on the drop in. At that point I may have been a little worried, since I was the only one out. I re-learned that on that kind of island power you could not drop all the way to the bottom for a turn - but just to the middle of the wave for the initial speed gain to get up on the wall and then start loping across the clear blue miracle. And the rock dance at Maycocks before the cement factory went in. Getting out of the water was always harder there, except for locals who barefooted it as if it was nothing. Our mini Moke blew the engine trying to get up that crappy asphalt road in a light rain when we lost traction and started sliding backwards down the slope. Luckily we veered to the right and a small tree stopped us!.My friend was in too much much of a frenzy to park at the top and walk down. That day we found out how insane that was. But we caught it maxing at 6-8' and the local crew said it was the best they had ever seen. Wide open tube with offshore, and the 8' gun worked fine. Not stiff at all. Live the good life down there for me brother and thanks for showing the ride to the overlook at Duppies. You triggered all my best memories. Awesome - That ride to the overlook still looks the same. My friend John Ivey lived at Crab Hill for 6 months in 1969 and showed us your country in all it's beauty. And on a good day Bathsheba is so unreal. Pura Vida as they say in Costa!!!

[@carlosharris2681]

My mentor/idol from Silver Sands. Good to see ya! 👊🙏

[@bajanwarrior]

Wow Carlos, long time Dude, thanks for the shout up man, drop me a friends request on Facebook please

[@jasongittens6797]

Love this spot!! Right though, can be treacherous even when it's good.

[@bajanwarrior]

Most definitely not somewhere that anyone should surf alone. too many things can go wrong here

[@taocean]

I remember surfing there in 1979 when I was a teenager. It was big and I was resting on the the small crescent beach and a black guy came out of the forest with an old board. WE called him the sage of Duppies. Later I remember discussing nuclear proliferation with him while he taught me how to fish with hand lines from the cliffs. Great memories.

[@bajanwarrior]

What an awesome memory, 79-89 were the years that I most frequented this break (2-3 times a month in winter), in those days few went out here for fear of the unknown, now it's quite popular, well that is until it really starts to get big like back then. I am talking about when the left from the outside reef of Harrison's Point and Duppies merge as one in the rip. Your memory of here is a special one, and I am sure it will be lifelong. If or when you return here, please #sharesomesandwithus

[@taocean]

We stayed at north point for 5 bucks a night. Had a moke and stopped for fish cakes in crab hill after surfing all day. No electricity so the stars were quite impressive. @@bajanwarrior

[@taocean]

I was 16 but it did not stop me from having a gin and sprite in Mr. Harveys living room. He had a little bar set up there in his little house in Pie Corner.

[@taocean]

One day we went to the james "sage of duppies" house and were in the front yard. WE saw a man leave the house on a bike and disappear over the hill. Later he came back and came out to the place were we were talking with his son. He had taken eggs and traded them for heniken beers. He brought them out to us on a silver tray.

[@taocean]

We would just watch the waves behind North Point the waves looked unrideable but one day I just said screw it and paddle out. As I sat there surrounded by rocks it felt like some creature was going to come up from the depths. The first wave I caught there to this day my cousin still talks about

[@lucilledemetres3870]

Duppies means ghost or spirit. My Husband proposed to me on the cliff at Duppies. He surfs there all the time when there is a swell.

[@bajanwarrior]

it is a testing ground for the strong at heart, can certainly scare the timid...congrats on the beautiful scenic location for your proposal

[@Sidetrackification]

Excellent thanks for posting this!

[@bajanwarrior]

@Sidetrackification happy that you enjoyed it, not many see this location and far less surf it 😁

[@jumadeen]

Nick my man...it's been a while. Very informative video.

[@bajanwarrior]

Thanks man, glad you enjoyed it...

[@Sidetrackification]

Your warnings are True!

[@bajanwarrior]

@Sidetrackification sadly they are, some have not been too happy with our 4+ comments but we could never lead someone to these stunning places without telling them about being cautious. It would be like telling someone to go smell a gorgeous rose, without warning them about the thorns

[@Sidetrackification]

@@bajanwarrior Everything you mentioned happened the first time I surfed Duppies, also the first time I tasted a tamarind, which brought much relief to a parched soul.

[@gtr4ws]

Hi Nicholas, could you please give directions on how to get down to the beach there? I was was search for tracks and could not find one. parked up at greens point first, then drove down to the harrison's point light house. Side note, a local of the area told me vehicles have been being broken into in there, and best to park in the field outside the harrison's point facility so eyes would be on it and hike from there to the beach.

[@bajanwarrior]

Hey Michael, where you went was not Duppies but the local was correct about both locations, please take no valuables when you visit these breaks. you were too far south, from the Harrisons Point facility link.shutterfly.com/2U5RhVPRorb

[@gtr4ws]

@@bajanwarrior thank you

[@lucilledemetres3870]

If you use a rental car and park it at the top of Duppies, leave a window open and leave a token of your appreciation for the locals, so that they don't break the window in your car to rob it. It is good juju!

[@bajanwarrior]

yes that could work 😁

[@bettyforde9423]

Omg dounce...wow you are lucky

[@bajanwarrior]

😁