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‘I am a born BVIslander’- Majority owner of surf school in Josiah’s Bay

- Mr Alex Dick-Read said the criticisms are unfair
Mr Alex Dick-Read said he is a born VIslander and majority shareholder of Surf School BVI located in Josiah's Bay. Photo: Provided
Surf School BVI at Josiah's Bay. Photo: VINO
Surf School BVI at Josiah's Bay. Photo: VINO
 Local businesswoman Naomi Frett-Patterson claims she has been thrown out of business with the opening of the surf school at Josiah's Bay beach. Photo: VINO
Local businesswoman Naomi Frett-Patterson claims she has been thrown out of business with the opening of the surf school at Josiah's Bay beach. Photo: VINO
JOSIAH’S BAY, Tortola, VI- One of the owners of Surf School BVI, Mr Alex Dick-Read located in Josiah’s Bay has sought to clear the air on the recent article by this news site regarding claims by some residents of Josiah’s Bay that they had been suffering unfair competition with expatriates in the surfing business.

While not calling the individual by name, mention was made of a South African expatriate operating a surf school in Josiah’s Bay and Dick-Read felt that the cap fit so he is wearing it since he is the only surf school in the area.

‘I am no foreigner’

Dick-Read said he wanted to place on public record that he is no foreigner but in fact, a native VIslander who spent many years abroad as a journalist, including as an editor for The Surfer’s Path magazine. In his profession, he said he was exposed to many training on surfing and, along with his business partner, Mr Steve Howes, are certified surfing instructors delivering a service in the Virgin Islands.

“I was the first one to surf here,” he told Virgin Islands News Online of Josiah’s Bay. Dick-Read has been a surfer for over 30 years and said he is the majority shareholder in the business.

According to him, his business partner Mr Howes is an Australian who grew up in South Africa and has been doing wonders in the local surfing world as a surfer and lifeguard.

Following our story published on September 15, 2016 persons online have supported the establishment of Surf School BVI, some saying that they had no issues with persons coming in and providing improved services.

Others were in support of the local business owner, Mrs Naomi Frett-Patterson, expressing that expatriates should not be allowed to compete with locals but rather government should provide locals with the training to develop their businesses.

“And he (Steve Howes) is being attacked for no reason. He is the lifeguard and certainly not racist…It’s a business we are operating here,” Dick-Read pointed out.

Locals complain

Ms Frett-Patterson had told this news site that the government of the day is allowing foreigners to come take bread out of her mouth, by allowing an expatriate, who she said was South African, to compete in the same line of business with her.

“Now my business, out of business,” she claimed. “I born here, my parents and people are all born-bred Tortolians and we are supposed to be able to survive right here with our business,” she bemoaned in an earlier interview.

She also accused the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) government of turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to their woes.

However, she was not the only one voicing those concerns as another businessman also felt that they were left on their own.

He used the opportunity to call on the government to conduct some investigations into the alleged illegal happenings in the community.

See link to previous story:

http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/josiahs-bay-residents-accuse-govt-of-not-protecting-their-interests

59 Responses to “‘I am a born BVIslander’- Majority owner of surf school in Josiah’s Bay”

  • wize up (19/09/2016, 09:30) Like (24) Dislike (6) Reply
    Let me hear from the indigenous now; some of us have this malice against the black VI Landers because their parents are from down island....this should be fun!!! let the talk begin
  • i from here (19/09/2016, 09:38) Like (66) Dislike (12) Reply
    Thanks for clearing this mess up Mr. Read. I think we should all stop saying who is from here and who is not by the colour of their skin.
    • agreed (19/09/2016, 11:51) Like (44) Dislike (3) Reply
      I to Mr. Read, want to say thank you for clearing up this crazy nonsense. I am from here, my parents are from here, I am so sick and tired of people ranting about they are from here and the Government this and that.
    • @ i from here (20/09/2016, 20:39) Like (2) Dislike (10) Reply

      Do t want to hear a darn thing from that Read man...If he so wanted to open or expand that kind of Business, why could he not team up with that lady?

      • Online Now (21/09/2016, 10:37) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
        Why should he? I imagine the risks are high and the margins low. Why share with someone who is not adding any value?
      • @@ i from here (22/09/2016, 14:30) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        Maybe because shes made a false assumption about where he is from based on the color of his skin.
        Maybe because she doesn't want a busness offering a service that she has admitted she can not provide herself, providing it themselves.
        Maybe because the service she offeres now is sub-par and rather than improve it, would prefer to tear another person down.

        There's 3 good reasons right there
  • vex (19/09/2016, 09:42) Like (13) Dislike (8) Reply
    Now we see who running things look out white locals
  • Nolove (19/09/2016, 09:51) Like (16) Dislike (41) Reply
    South African, South African South African, where blacks still are second class!!!!!
    • Really? (19/09/2016, 20:01) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
      Have you checked out the racial make up of the leadership? Aparteid ended going on 25 years ago.
  • son of the soil (19/09/2016, 10:17) Like (29) Dislike (88) Reply
    We have to enforce that policy, that when an outsider becomes pregnant, they have to leave the country to get their child. This will prevent these kinds of scenarios.
    • Moma (19/09/2016, 10:36) Like (45) Dislike (6) Reply
      Please think before you type.
    • Oh man (19/09/2016, 12:01) Like (75) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Son of the soil, did you not have your caffeine kick today? Your comment is way out there. So if a non Tortolian becomes pregnant, there should be a policy in place where they have to leave the Country to give birth. Ok, so should this policy be put in place in St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, and the United States when a woman from Tortola travel to one of the above named places to give birth? Can you please answer my question?

      • @ Oh Man (19/09/2016, 14:38) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
        That policy already exist in the USA, USVI and Puerto Rico. This is why pregnant women from all over, go to those US countries and protectorates at an early stage of their pregnancy to get their babies, because when a she is at a certain stage of her pregnancy, she cannot enter the US without valid reasons. Also, places like Bermuda and other countries do have that same law in existence.
        • Yes but.. (19/09/2016, 15:11) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
          ...if she is already living there and gets pregnant she isn't asked to leave!!!
    • Diversity (19/09/2016, 13:04) Like (21) Dislike (3) Reply
      @son of soil, i sure u born in one of them american soil, but have the decency to speak ur ignorant mind. i hope to see more non-VIslander breeding and getting children here, so you could end up in a crazy ward where one of them same non-VIslander would have to take care of ur stupid ASS!!!
    • wize up (19/09/2016, 15:15) Like (22) Dislike (3) Reply
      @ son of the soil: do you know that indigenous Virgin Islands travel abroad: do you know that indigenous Virgin Islands have sons and daughters that are born outside of this territory.....I personally have family and schoolmates that left this territory back in 70s and 80s and now calls the USA home(try grow up for heaven sake and stop being so simple minded)
    • Huu (19/09/2016, 16:43) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      @son of the soil:- I know you and your parent ant from here so shut too hell up.
    • A@@ (20/09/2016, 08:55) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply

      Make sure you or ur baby momma don't run go stt or states to make yours too ok.....that could prevent these types of scenarios in other ppls country too.....set a "£$% hypocrites.

    • @ son of the soil (21/09/2016, 04:23) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      The problem with what you just typed is that nearly ALL our daughters from the soil want to go to St. Thomas, Puerto Rico and Miami to have their kids, so they can be American. Then when folks like this chap come back 'home' because guess what, his parents were knew that eventually buildings would be built and the country would progress from wooden houses and jackasses for transportation. That whole 'white locals' things, (that's a racist comment, we need to cut that out btw), is a reality because you have NO idea how many there will be in the next few years. Believe me when I say, by the time I have children, 'we' will be outnumbered, to the point where the phrase will be 'black locals'.
  • chad (19/09/2016, 10:19) Like (17) Dislike (11) Reply
    These BVI politicians created a monster.
  • margaret thatcher (19/09/2016, 10:38) Like (17) Dislike (12) Reply
    Many people here speak against Donald Trump and act just like him.
    • Luis (19/09/2016, 12:28) Like (14) Dislike (8) Reply
      You couldn’t say it any better. The BVI people behave like Donald Trump. And then they calling here Natures Little Secret bull S—t.
      • yessssss (19/09/2016, 18:24) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
        @Luis, the only thing missing from the BVI people that behave like Donald Trump is the over sweep toupee on his head.
  • Online Now (19/09/2016, 11:48) Like (34) Dislike (16) Reply
    Just be honest. The biggest problem is that he is white and the majority of posters can not see past that. Very sad!
  • Watch Out VI! (19/09/2016, 12:17) Like (22) Dislike (9) Reply
    The chickens are coming home to roost. The VI in about 10 -15 more years will look even more different from what it is right now. Politics and All. Right back to the Days of Ole.
    • wize up (19/09/2016, 16:12) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      @ watch out VI: simply say within the next 20 year the white BV Islanders will be running things politically they running thing fininically.....not all of us are fearful of the white VI Folks they mean well
  • Nevertoooldtolearn (19/09/2016, 12:21) Like (49) Dislike (15) Reply
    Wow - I didn't know Mrs Frett-Patterson was a surfing instructor (or may be I misunderstood and she is suggesting government teach her how to become one).
  • The Great Adder. (19/09/2016, 15:19) Like (7) Dislike (19) Reply
    Born here does not mean you are OF here. Not because you are my KIN folk mean you re my KIND folk.
    • Online Now (19/09/2016, 15:34) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
      I guess you are from Africa then ... Yet another racist .. (I know, you are black, so can not be racist blah, blah) racially prejudiced then.
      • @ Online Now (19/09/2016, 20:42) Like (4) Dislike (13) Reply
        blacks cannot be racist fact! period!
      • BVI Mon (20/09/2016, 10:48) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        Naomi keep to making roti. Your food is good. Why you worrying about surfing.. Josiah's is dead anyway. He ain't taking your business. You can't surf.
  • Reader (19/09/2016, 15:35) Like (13) Dislike (7) Reply
    Are you folks sure you put the right picture of the surf instructor on your article? Looks an awful lot like a California
    axe murderer. Or Charlie Mansons' butler.
  • son of the soil (19/09/2016, 15:36) Like (4) Dislike (13) Reply
    Even to the filipinos getting their babies here now///This thing needs looking into///Infact it need to stop!
    • Well (20/09/2016, 06:59) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
      @Son of the soil, I use to like most of your comments but, I know see you are a racist.It is so true when people say all that glitters is not gold. You really are a racist and a judge mental person.
  • concern (19/09/2016, 16:22) Like (17) Dislike (12) Reply
    Such a small minded community, can't see beyond the color of his skin... wow Embarrassed right now to say I'm a BVI lander based on some of these comments. This is the same community where tourism is our # industry..so white people are good enough to visit, but can't born here and start a business..... wow
    • Putyourfootdown (19/09/2016, 17:32) Like (23) Dislike (14) Reply
      We need to put our foot down in the name of Virgin Islanders. This immigration issue that they would not address will come to haunt us in 30 years and then our grand children will have to deal with it. What the hell we bringing in so many Phillipinoes in the country to work for? They should be given a time limit and then leave -- 6 years and haul your tail home. This goes to whites, blacks, Caribbean nationals, Peenoes whole kit and kaboodle. If we don't the next 25 years these people are going to be looking citizenship and then where are the indigenous people. South Africans are racist bastards who still got that apartheid thing in them. People from South Africa should only get three years in the place and then run to hell to their home. Those people will start something with us one day. Every country plan what or who their population should be made up of, but they come in among us and cussing us, finding fault with the people -- thinking that we were waiting on them to learn to cook and clean house. No, we weren't. But, if you can't behave yourself in our country, like Papa Ralphie said, take flight and leave the island in a short time. Alternatively, keep your clappers shut and let us live peacefully in our country. Don't mash our toes, now!
      • Despicable (19/09/2016, 19:54) Like (7) Dislike (11) Reply
        Putyourfootdown I wasn't aware Donald Trump had relative living in the BVI. You may be born here but are the bottom scum feeder of our society. Please pack your bags and leave our precious islands. We don't want your evil, nasty self. Good luck getting a welcome past the pearly gates when your short time on earth is done. God don't like evil either.
        • Oledespicable (20/09/2016, 12:12) Like (21) Dislike (3) Reply
          Oh Despicable, Donald Trump got a lot of relatives living here from Europe and South Africa. You didn't know? They hang out in bars and cuss local people; they tell their children to keep from local children; they thief local lands through surveyors and apply for local lands on prescription; they want roads remain rough so locals can't go to the beach; they had nothing where they came from and claiming private beach. You want me to tell you who some more of Donald's friends are? They go to our Ministers of Government looking sweet deals to isolate local people; they hurdle in corners planning how to rule the locals one day because their mentality is that they are superior and locals are inferior. By the way, Despicable, the locals don't buy the pearly gate story again, so none want to go there to meet a white God, the father of the enslaver, because they now recognize that the story was put there to encourage slavery and keep their ancestors in bondage, and have them wait for justice in the sweet bye and bye. Oh, despicable, your despicable self, real locals don't leave their island to go no place. After all, all who came here are here for betterment so why should be go? Locals are not fools anymore. Despicable, let me give you the coupe de grace - remove the scales from over your eyes and attend HLSCC to take History 101; there you will understand why we must be a defender of these Virgin Islands before we let history repeat itself here again. By the way, despicable, you are not welcome or qualified to defend our beautiful Virgin Isles. You fast asleep and I don't plan to weep with you. Wake Up from under your Massa's slumber.
      • Online Now (20/09/2016, 11:33) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
        @Putyourfootdown - good luck getting anyone to invest in the country when there is such a policy. People like you will be the death of the BVI economy.
        • MENTALITY (20/09/2016, 14:50) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
          It was always the mentality that we can only survive on handouts and investors. It was the trick used long, long ago and someone always trying to wave it in our faces again.. The resilience of the African will continue to rise. They put our forefathers in harder labour than anytime now, so we are preparing to weather the storms again. You and your cave-like clan can quietly resort to the caves of the Caucaus Mountain in Europe and keep out of our faces. We will not perish; we will not die. After all, we are melanin, indestructible. Put that in the 'Ship Jesus' and sail away...
      • confused (21/09/2016, 11:15) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        What are you saying that people of different races should not be in the BVI...do you know they pay their full share of rent, taxes and work permits which pay for roads, NHI etc., Yes send everybody not from here home and the country would colapse, do you know why...every Tortolian wants the Government to give handouts...where is the money.
  • Real (19/09/2016, 16:59) Like (22) Dislike (22) Reply
    It's just baffle me how these Caucasian folks claims to "born here". Which might be true but don't have any black friends giving it's a predominantly afro Caribbean country.
    Not even a black person on their facebook page.
    These same people who claims to be local going around mocking bvi accent in these bars and restaurant and only have negative to say about native locals.?




    • ausar (22/09/2016, 08:01) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      You've said it right "real"! And these whites tend to use their "born here" status to enhance white ownership of services in this country.

      When I made this statement years ago, Ausar was mocked!

      Just check out the real estate industry. Those who came in and worked under black owned real estate companies and was fortunate to now own a company only hires white realtors to work in them.

      We must pay attention to these types of "back door" ownership of services that are creeping up among us or else we will find ourselves on the "out" in our own land with others controlling the "commerce", "work" and " play" that is in this country!
  • Move on (19/09/2016, 19:22) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
    I think they have the right to open and run their businesses no matter their skin color. Once their activities and policies are not illegal, they can be racist all they want. As a black customer, you don't have to support them. As a black business owner, you just need to provide a good enough service and your people will support you.

    We need to stop caring what these other people think or don't think. Stop caring whether they are racist or not. Only then will we be free.
  • yikes (19/09/2016, 19:45) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
    I guess he must be born here Because I would hope immigration would refuse anyone else looking like that.
  • Dat so? (19/09/2016, 20:10) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    Most of the thread here seems to be saying you have to be black, born from a local family only to be a belonger. But we all want the white people's money and down islanders to do all the work. What a ting....
  • rattie (19/09/2016, 20:42) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Mine he request apology enuh
  • £££££ (19/09/2016, 20:47) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    you better watch out the government don't come after you guys again for bringing to the surface these set of unspoken issues bubbling up in the country. you know ndp already; they like to keep everything secret. watch out!
  • Wendy (19/09/2016, 21:37) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Send for Mugabe!
    He will straighten this out.
  • enough (20/09/2016, 07:10) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply

    This Bulls**t about I born here have to stop. Get this, yeah you were born here, but you are still mixed with something. We might be born here but we are not 100% true Tortolians. The only people that were 100% pure was the American Indians. I am black and I was shocked to find out that I have family from Scotland,Asia and Santo Domingo.

  • Sigh (20/09/2016, 07:44) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Well miss naomi you now have to team up with a white man
  • Curly (20/09/2016, 08:21) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    Saddens me, i tell you what natures llittle secret is..... narrow mindedness, racism, we are behind the times and will suffer for it in the future.
    • or (20/09/2016, 12:29) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      We will suffer in 25 years when we are finally extinct or I should say out of our suffering. BVI will absolutely be a country of expatriation with no local culture (just like the great old U.S of A)
      • Neither (21/09/2016, 08:25) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
        @ or

        Nonsense. Do you want to see the USA go back to its culture of blatant immigrant racism prior to the 1965 immigration act? I doubt that you do. So why would you want to see the BVI continue with its bigoted ways towards immigrants and other cultures?

        All we need is responsible immigration policy/enforcement and a competent department of culture.
  • Hmmmmm (21/09/2016, 10:45) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Tek Dat, He born ya. He own the business. he is a son of the soil. They just have to sit down and have a chat with the lady and become a community and not rivals. He born here he is us and we him. But Dudes, Josiahs Bay have some serious rip tides. Do your thing partner.
  • Lipping (21/09/2016, 19:47) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Read My Lips Read Born Here, live in peace.
  • Think,BVI (22/09/2016, 18:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/pope-journalism-terrorism_us_57e42348e4b0e80b1ba0e4a8?section=&

  • Belonger? (22/09/2016, 20:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Does he have Belonger status?


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