No ideas but with all due respect, I am glad not to be there when 200 people are "racing" all over. Not my idea of paradise. 🙁

Hello Canuck,

Since its half day not sure how you would tie in the transportation/travel part of Amazing Race... in any case I remember in one Amazing Race they had to peel a bunch of onions before getting there next clue... how about cleaning a few fish? You'd need to coordinate with a local fisherman that needed some assistants. Actually 200 people may mean 200 fish... don't think that is an option as the fish vendors aren't huge fish markets. Opening a few coconuts instead?? - again the quantity issue would be something you'd need to figure out. I was thinking maybe a clue anchored somewhere along the Trunk Bay snorkeling trail... I think the park would have something to say about that though; perhaps getting in touch with them to find out any rules & suggestions they have would be a good idea. You could try to incorporate geo-caching maybe http://www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.aspx?country_id=235&x=9&y=9. If its challenges without going all over the island perhaps a kayak relay type race, or something to do with snorkeling... I don't watch Amazing Race often but the challenges like kayaking do seem more like Survivor?? Also I remember one Amazing Race where they buried clues in the sand on a particular beach... you could do that - plenty sand around - again if its a park beach I think you'd need to contact them. You could add some history into the clues, hiking trails if the park is ok with that.

Did you have anything in mind already?

Good Luck,

--Islander

Thanks Islander! I remember the onion episode and think there might be some real possibilties along that line, but we just can't come up with exactly what they could make/do/construct out of easy-to-find materials. Hard to visualize until we actually see the locale so any ideas would be hugely appreciated. And, of course, we want to be sure to be respectful of the parkland.

The restaurant where they are having lunch can only accommodate half of them at a time, so we'll likely have 2 races, each leaving an hour apart. We're organizing drivers and vehicles that will accommodate 20 people in each so we will need that one main task/challenge positioned about half way between the hotel and the restaurant. Having clues along the route is risky - our experience is that others often take them - and the teams get really ticked off (understandably) if they're relying on a missing clue.

Thanks for heads up about checking with park authorities - will do that asap. Checked out geocaching and bookmarked it for another upcoming event for a hi tech client in Portland. Really like the idea of including local history in clues and am sure there are websites - any that you would recommend that might have "little known facts?" Thanks again for your excellent suggestions!

What hotel are you at? and what restaurant? that way we will have a better idea where the half way point is. I think it maybe alittle bit of wishful thinking to think that a restaurant will feed 100 people in an hour (island time = slow 🙂 )unless you have sandwiches or such pre-made. When is your event, I think it maybe fun to see, but glad I'm not visiting for the day, it sure may "jam" the island, not fun if you only have a day here 🙁 You may want to post your question on the relocation forum - more "locals" post there.

What are you thinking, Man?! I see at least 2 "fact finding" trips needed to be adequately prepared for this event! (didn't you say something about getting out of the cold) 😀

Actually, one thought might be to have a team member or two swim around the cay at Honeymoon Bay.

Have a great trip!
j

Believe me, if I thought the client would pay for even one advance trip, I'd be there in a heartbeat! However, we do have a budget but will be arriving a week early to finalize the route design. Was just hoping for a few advance tips so don't arrive having to start from scratch. We're tossing around your idea of having one person on each team do a swim - thanks Jackson!

The event is a ways off yet so all the exact logistics are still being worked. Thanks for the tip about relocation forum - didn't think of that, but will check it out.

Hey Canuck,

Sounds like your Company is a great place to work! Do you need a Sales / District Manager with 18 yrs exp. for SWO?

Hey Dave - it actually is a great job but like all work, lots of pressure to get everything "right" the first time. No second chances in this business. We actually did try to find a salesperson a few year ago, but our business is so unpredictable that we could only pay straight commission - no takers. Thanks for your interest!

Hey Thanks....

It never hurts to ask!

Have an awesome time in your pursuit to host your private AR.....

The St Croix Ag Fair just ended, and they had a lot of challenges that seemed like fun. In this week's Island Trader, they show a picture from the Ag Fair of people participating in a greased watermelon contest. It looks like they've got a few watermelons floating in a tiny, plastic wading pool, and the competitors have on plastic bags and gloves as cover. I know they've got watermelons at the grocery stores now ($2.99/each at Plaza Extra this week). If not, you could probably use West Indian pumpkins (which are probably cheaper).

I know they also had potato sack races (those are easy to get). The Daily News website might have the Ag Far photos ( http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com). Don't know if the St Croix paper, The Avis, has a website.

I'll see if I have that issue of the Daily News. If so, I'll re-post with other challenges they may have mentioned.

That is exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for! We'll use the watermelon/pumpkin idea for sure - it has local "flavor", can be contained to specific area, won't mess up the environment, and most importantly - is funny so people won't get too intensely competitive. Can't wait to see the others. Awesome!! (tu)

OK, now that I see you're monitoring the board, I'll look for the back issues of the paper(s). When I find the articles and pics, I'll get your snail mail address and mail them - the online version of the Daily News doesn't appear to have everything the print version has (or if they do, it's hard to find them!)

Can you send me an e-mail to [email protected] so I won't have to look on the board for this thread? Thanks.

Here's a thought-----how about all these people just go to STJ and do what most people do on STJ: snorkel, nap, hike, eat, drink. Once you're there, the idea of competing in challenges and racing around will seem nuts. On STJ most people like to take a long time to do very little. Island Time!!! Island Time!!! I think a laid back week on STJ would more effectively build a team than running around competing against one another would.

My thoughts exactly, I couldn't have said it better myself

Didn't they just have an "8 Tuff Miles" race on St John as a fundraiser for some charity? St John may be tiny, but it's large enough for you to find someplace to avoid any group activities that may be taking place on the island. It's only for half a day. Cheese and bread!