Kinezumi Watersports Selling Seabreacher
[Written by Don Burgess]
A Bermudian businessman isn’t allowing a logistical hassle to discourage his appetite for tourism.
Antwan Albuoy and Shena Virgil of Kinezumi Watersports have had to sell one of its Seabreachers to meet financial obligations.
Mr Albuoy told the Bernews, “This experience hasn’t soured my taste or my zest for Bermuda tourism. It has just hardened my resolve.”
The Seabreacher is a two-seat water vessel that can both briefly glide under the water before leaping into the air out of the water.
Kinezumi Watersports had been entangled with red tape in trying to find a suitable location to run the SeaBreacher. The company lost almost all of the 2017 summer season and more than half of the 2018 season before being allowed to operate.
Photo posted by Mr Albuoy on social media:
The business took out a loan in 2016 to purchase the semi-submersible watercraft after getting pre-approval from the Port Authority the previous year.
After submitting eight locations to operate, four in the east end and four in the west end, Kinezumi was given permission to set up business at Coot Pond. The next year he added a second Seabreacher, as well as jet skis to the mix as he wanted something to offer other family members who were not adventurous enough for the Seabreacher. He had also applied to be allowed to run Banana boats.
The Port Authority then received complaints, and Kinezumi were informed that there were environmental considerations and would need to find somewhere else to run their water sports business.
“In 2016, everyone knew – the area residents, the politicians, the fishermen – that we were launching the Seabreacher from Coot Pond, but there were no complaints. The complaints started coming about in 2017 when the jetskis were added,” he said.
The Corporation of St George gave Kinezumi permission to use Hunter’s Wharf, but the company then needed planning approval to set up a floating dock. That was only granted on September 15 with most of the good summer tourist season gone.
As he only had a one-year lease with the Corporation, Kinezumi had to reapply for permission for Hunter’s Wharf, and then reapply with the Planning Department. This time the process was much faster, but it wasn’t until June 2018 the company was allowed to operate, but once the piles were put in, it was July.
“We’re weren’t earning any significant income. So even though we weren’t earning any significant income, the expenses were still coming in,” Mr Albuoy said. “We made the decision to sell it.”
He added the buyer came to Bermuda in January to check out the vessel. After making some repairs, it went to the dock on March 1 and left Bermuda for its new home on Wednesday of this week.
In spite of all that has transpired, Mr Albuoy is ready to try again with a new venture.
He added he has another business idea which “ticks all the boxes for the BTA’s beach tourism initiative, but I’m 95% sure it will be declined because one of the Port Authority’s policies knocks up against that. But I’d rather them tell me ‘no’ rather than me telling myself ‘no.’
Mr Albuoy said his new idea would employ six people in its first year and about 18 in the second.
So they try to encourage entrepreneurship but every time there are set backs that just kill it. So what is the budding entrepreneur supposed to do,cut grass & paint. This is not looking after the citizens of Bermuda it’s holding them back, just like the gentleman with the ATV’s. The franchise law no matter how the disguise it, is another tool designed to hold the average citizen from achieving success. Many potential business people have goals and dreams but the laws and regulations are putting a strangle hold on their dreams of owning a successful business. Those who pass these laws are protecting their interest by stifling potential competition. The supermarkets are nailed down most of the restaurants are too. I have seen many small businesses open IE:restaurants and small goods stores and then close in a matter of months. We need to offer more to our visitors other than gulf & beaches, but this cannot be done unless people begin to see the big picture. One cannot help but wonder if the old guard is still in control.
Many new businesses close because the owner has not done sufficient due diligence first including budgeting and market studies. They borrow loads of money to spend on inventory, assets and lock themselves into leases and other commitments without considering the timelines in play and the debt service costs. Yes, it can be slow to set up a business here, so that is definitely a factor, but not the main one.
clearly not a Friend or Family of the plp
Much better written than the ‘other’
Rest assured that the old guard remains in charge and why Bermuda does not want or accept change! Until all the old 40 Thieves and Church goers die Bermuda will remain as is! That’s reality!
No, the PLP are in charge. 25-11, remember?
Every failure that happens, you own it.
Antwan has other tourism related businesses and took big risk buying buying two of the Seabreachers based on pre-approval from the Port Authority or anyone connected to the government. This kind of investment requires that everything is approved and in place before taking the big step to buy the craft. Bermuda has a reputation for “dreamer’s” who started building businesses, especially tourism related, before they had ALL of their ducks in a row and a market that would support their business.
Stay focused Pics…..
Harrington sound would be perfect for those machines.
No, def St George’s Harbour, with cruise ships overlooking and a town and resteraunts it will get way more exposure. The only problem is there has been similar business there, with jet skis, but they havnt stood the test of time.