Tobago Set For Historic Opening Of 2026 Døds Diving Tour
Tobago is set to host the 2026 Døds Diving League World Tour on Saturday, marking the first time the global freestyle diving series opens its season in the Caribbean, with Charlotteville as the host venue.
Speaking at a Press Conference in Buccoo, Head of Sport and Media at Døds Federation, Stine Brun Kjeldaas, noted that this is the second year Tobago is hosting such a competition, and it is special because it is the start of the 2026 Døds Diving League World Tour.
« Last year we had the World Championship, and it was definitely one of the very best events we had ever had, and to see how the village of Charlotteville and all the people of Tobago get together. »
The 2025 Døds event garnered a lot of international media attention. This year it is expected to be bigger because it will be broadcast live on ESPN2 to the US and Europe, with Tobagonian Rionne Makoul hosting.
Chairman of the Døds Local Organising Committee, George Leacock, said, for the spectators, it is expected to be even more exciting.
« The battle format is going to be used as well, so it’s going to be one against the other, one against the other, and that would be great for crowd hype. »
Ms. Kjeldaas confirmed that over 20 divers, male and female, from Norway, Finland and the United States will be competing on Saturday, along with a few Tobagonians.
« For the first time, we have a team from Tobago, the Tobago Babe Crushers. »
Meanwhile, divers like four-time champion Asbjørg Nesje are ecstatic to be back for the competition.
« One of my favourite moments from last year was, I mean, apart from winning the World Championships, I guess, it was the first time we were riding into Charlotteville, everyone was just so welcoming, and I have never felt more like a celebrity. Everyone just took us so well in. »
Ahead of Saturday’s event, the visiting Døds divers had a taste of the Tobago goat racing tradition at the Buccoo Integrated Facility.
Døds Diving Instructor Simon Fisk enjoyed the experience, saying, « I won, 50 years old and I beat the kids. It’s discipline. It’s like you have to give the goat discipline, the goat has to discipline you as well, but it is all about the relationship. The first and the second time I did it today, it was hard, but the third time, I was a little bit more confident, it was easier. »
Another diver, Scott Ygård, said, « It’s a beautiful sport, and I love the tradition behind it and stuff like that, so yeah, it’s good. »
Diver Matthew Webber shared, « I thought it was a blast! I loved it. It was so super nerve-wracking; everybody stood there, and they are waiting to go, ready, and then it was like a bullet out of there. It was super fun. »
The DØDS qualifying round dives off at 10AM on Saturday. Spectators journeying to Charlotteville are advised to take shuttles from Speyside, Roxborough and Scarborough, as traffic and parking within the village would be restricted.
