What a month this has been!

A decade ago, April was the time in Negril when the busy winter season was coming to an end. By April 15th, the hotels, beach and west end were becoming quiet and businesses were taking a break from the high season that was over.

Eleven years ago, we decided to change the date of our "Boardie Bash", a chance for viewers of Negril.com and RealNegril.com to meet and greet each other to the last Friday in April. This was done to extend the "high season" a few extra weeks to give the Negril economy a boost. This year has proved that our efforts along with your support have not been in vain!

Many hoteliers told me that the "April crowd" had arrived as they became full for the last few weeks of the month and into May. Those of you who are here, just left or are just arriving ARE the April Crowd! Thank you - your visiting at this time of year really does make a difference and the fund raising events give that much more to help out the community of Negril!

We need to thank Winston and the Wellington family at Travellers Beach Resort for hosting this year's Boardie Bash Fund Raiser! We also want to express appreciation to our sponsors Gail Jackson, Ver from Steve Positive Tours, Linston, Rev. BB and Misako who took time from their business to attend the Bash. And of course the wonderful students and faculty from St. Pauls Primary School - it was great to see all of you!

For pics and video from the Boardie Bash, please click on the link below:

http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...Resort!-PHOTOS!

Other events held this year during the Boardie Bash week included the Belly Flop at Seastar inn and the Pirate's Day party at Calico Jack's Pirate's Bar at Half Moon Beach! For those who caught the webcast yesterday from Calico Jack's, you got quite a show!

The 2015 Boardie Bash week at the end of April turned out to be a major success and we want to invite all of you to come next year and be a part of what has become the "April Crowd"!

A big up to all!

Fund raising for NEET Program that was the focus of this year's Boardie Bash does not need to stop now. You can always donate to this worthy cause by clicking on their "Donate Now" button on their website at:

http://neetja.com/

Good going Rob. Would love to visit in April sometime (or any other month for that matter).

I was there but I missed EVERYTING! guess I have to go back next year for the 2016 "April Crowd"!:cool:
Thanks Rob!

IRIEchic,

We may have missed seeing you, but just being here makes you part of the "April Crowd"! See you next year!

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Originally Posted by Rob

IRIEchic,

We may have missed seeing you, but just being here makes you part of the "April Crowd"! See you next year!

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Thanks Rob I look forward to it!

As usual it looks like a great time was had by all. Next time we can get to Jamaica we plan to make the Bash. Most likely it will not be until 2017 as we are moving to FLA late this year and will probably still be getting settled next year. We will definitely be ready for a Negril fix! In the meantime we enjoy keeping in touch via the board.

the belly flop had nothing to do with negril.com or "boardie week"

As one of the original "April Crowd" my heart aches when I am not there during that time. We went in February this year and had a blast, but I will always prefer April.

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Originally Posted by dot

the belly flop had nothing to do with negril.com or "boardie week"

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Booger posted this on April 21st - before the Bash on the 24th:

"Giving back
I have been fortunate to meet a lot of great travelers who not only take in all Negril and Jamaica has to offer, but make a point to give a little back. From getting kids to school, donate a brick to the Travelers NEET program, spay and neuter clinics in cooperation with Debbile Lightheart, trash pickups, school supplies, etc.

April 27th is another chance to participate for those of you in town for the Boardie Bash. If you attend the bash you will be able to help NEET out as described in the Boardie Bash thread. And if you are still in town you can visit Seastar on April 27th at 1PM to observe the 3rd annual belly flop. Admission is free and any donation of any size is welcome. Proceeds will benefit the Get To School program for local youth. The last two have been a blast and this one will only be bigger. Thank you to Muzicdoc Phil for taking the lead and keeping th vibe right.

All are welcome....."

http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...lop#post159467

So it was advertised on Negril.com. Booger asked Boardies to show up. It was attended by Boardies and happened during Boardie week. The whole point of setting the Boardie Bash on the last Friday in April is to get people here during the beginning of slow season.

Thank you all for being down here and helping out the Negril economy during what used to be a slow week!

I think what Dot is trying to say is it was not organised by Negril.com or really anyone to do with the board. Happy to see it was advertised here though! $20,000JA was raised and it was amazing!

I didn't know it was a yearly event until I read it here. What a great tradition!

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Originally Posted by Rob

Booger posted this on April 21st - before the Bash on the 24th:

"Giving back
I have been fortunate to meet a lot of great travelers who not only take in all Negril and Jamaica has to offer, but make a point to give a little back. From getting kids to school, donate a brick to the Travelers NEET program, spay and neuter clinics in cooperation with Debbile Lightheart, trash pickups, school supplies, etc.

April 27th is another chance to participate for those of you in town for the Boardie Bash. If you attend the bash you will be able to help NEET out as described in the Boardie Bash thread. And if you are still in town you can visit Seastar on April 27th at 1PM to observe the 3rd annual belly flop. Admission is free and any donation of any size is welcome. Proceeds will benefit the Get To School program for local youth. The last two have been a blast and this one will only be bigger. Thank you to Muzicdoc Phil for taking the lead and keeping th vibe right.

All are welcome....."

http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...lop#post159467

So it was advertised on Negril.com. Booger asked Boardies to show up. It was attended by Boardies and happened during Boardie week. The whole point of setting the Boardie Bash on the last Friday in April is to get people here during the beginning of slow season.

Thank you all for being down here and helping out the Negril economy during what used to be a slow week!

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Thank you Rob for allowing the Flop to have some exposure. I started it as a new thread to get the word out and within 10 minutes my thread was moved to the annual boardie bash thread and i'm afraid it was lost in translation. However, I appreciate that it was allowed to stay on the site and gain exposure so other travelers could join.

This years bellyflop was AMAZING. The first one brought in just short of $200, the second one was close to $800, and this year was over $2000. The turn out was amazing, the vibe was right as usual, and the travelers showed their love in giving back to the kiddos in Negril. Big thanks to Chris and Francine at Seastar for hosting the event, and to the usual cast of characters who contributed countless hours to make it all happen.

I have zero plans to return to Negril, however if another flop is set up I would feel blessed to be there. Love my peeps who give back in addition to their vacation. Father Jim, I hope this group made you smile and give you the slightest bit of comfort that you can feed a few more kiddos on their way to school.

I know I had an amazing time, and if you showed and contributed and it sucked please share so my friends can make it better. Nothing made my travel better than this event. And thank you to the numerous event sponsors who made this happen. You know who you.....

Glad everyone enjoyed themselves. looked like fun on Facebook. All of the events.

I think IRIEchic is a ghost...i waited around with jojo a couple of times to meet you...has anyone seen jojo and iriechic in the same room at the same time?lol

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Originally Posted by IRIEchic

I was there but I missed EVERYTING! guess I have to go back next year for the 2016 "April Crowd"!:cool:
Thanks Rob!

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I can honestly say that i have a great time almost every day in Negril....i can also honestly say that the 2 bellyflop events that i have been apart of have been the most fun 2 days I can remember....the money raised for a great cause, the cast of characters that i have become friends with, and all the craziness that goes along with it..... for those who haven't seen videos and pics of one of these events, u are missing out..many posted on facebook now

Kicking myself for missing out on all the April festivities this year.... Missed seeing everybody.

1Love :)

I was there for the first and second boardie bash. I feel I played a part in the beginning of negril.com. Rob has been the mainstay of this website. I hope I can come for the
2016 Boardie Bash. I'm one of those who just shows up any time of year because Negril is sort of "home". I will return again and again "cause I love it". Rob, Job well done!

I'm sorry to have missed the boardie bash..1st one I missed in years..and the belly Flop was a huge success. It doesn't matter to me who promotes it where its promoted. It was for a good cause and EVERYONE had a good time and a lot of money was raised..and THATS what it's all about.....ONE LOVE...

Yes Doc ... Perfect

How to access on Facebook ?

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Originally Posted by groove16

I think IRIEchic is a ghost...i waited around with jojo a couple of times to meet you...has anyone seen jojo and iriechic in the same room at the same time?lol

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Groove, your killing me....I'm cracking up and my ribs are still in severe pain!!!! lol.......:)

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Originally Posted by groove16

I think IRIEchic is a ghost...i waited around with jojo a couple of times to meet you...has anyone seen jojo and iriechic in the same room at the same time?lol

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LOL Groove!!! I was there just a lil out of commission and couldn't get around like I wanted to...but when JoJo and I are in good health WE paint Negril RED! LOL
Hope to meet you some day soon!