Chase the Coconut Man

Before sun-up at 5:00 am Sunday morning while most of us were still asleep, Chase the coconut man was awake preparing to set up his fruit-stand outside the post office in Oistins. He had to get there early to reclaim his prime spot that has been recently used by a another vendor while he took a short vacation. He said “Dey gonna be surprised when dem show up and I already dere.”

Last Thursday Chase was at my house picking coconuts getting ready for the people participating in the Nation Newspaper’s annual Funathlon “Walk for a Better Barbados.” He strapped on his gear that consisted of tree climbing spikes, a hook with a long yellow rope and a machete.

Shirtless, he cautiously moved up the tree making sure the spikes were secure with each step before sliding his hands upwards clasped around the tree. Chase told told me he used to climb without spikes when he was younger but said “I gettin old mon” and laughed. Once he got to the top of the tree he appeared as comfortable sitting on a branch 40 feet in the air as he did sitting on the ground putting on his gear. He wielded his machete skillfully cutting the coconuts and lowered each bunch carefully to his assistant as to not “burst” them.

Chase told me that over the past 4 years he usually climbs 90 trees a day picking coconuts, breadfruit, mangoes and various other fruits. His climbing career began after getting fired because of “hustling” at his housekeeping job that he held for many years. He told me that some people may look down at his new livelihood as a tree climbing coconut vendor but if they knew how well  “He and Annette does do” they would think differently as he smiled and patted his pocket. He hopes to get his own truck soon so that he won’t be dependent on finding a truck and a driver.

When Chase finished harvesting, the total count was 130 coconuts from my 3 trees. He said “I does nusually gih $60 per hundred.” He peeled  off $60 and handed it to me. I waved off the remaining cash for a tip. He loaded the coconuts in the truck with his assistant/driver and I heard him say to no one in particular, “I does wish Annette wah here to help meh load dis truck, she bettah den any man!”

There were over 3,000 registered participants plus many nonregistered people gathered around Grannies Restaurant at the start of the 7K route.  Before the event started I walked down to the Oistins Post Office to check out Chase’s coconut stand. I could tell immediately that his girlfriend Annette helped him arrange the nice display of over 1,000 coconuts. I watched as he expertly tossed the coconuts in his hand and wacked it 3 times with the sharpened machete, pricked the top and poured the water into half gallon jugs. I tried to identify my coconuts from the bunches piled high and can you believe it, I found them! If you look at the picture of his stand, (see picture below) in the upper right hand corner of the display you’ll see them. I can always tell my coconuts by their unique shell. Yeah right!  I’m just kidding, they all looked the same to me. Lol!

I played DJ during the Funathlon by bathing the atmosphere with Christian and Gospel music while shouting out God’s blessings and encouragement over the loudspeaker to the participants as they passed by the Oistins Church of Christ. It was great to see people smiling, raising their hands, singing along and walking to the beat as they moved by. There was even a policeman across the street that was tapping his feet and nodding his head to the music. The Nation newspaper was quoted as saying “…they moved to the beats of pulsating tunes of Christian and non-Christian music….”

The only downside for the evening was when it rained for about 10 – 15 minutes. Although it forced me to cover all my gear briefly, the cooling rain was refreshing. I was back “spinning records” after the short interlude. Afterall, it is  rainy season and you can always expect a little rain.

Overall it was a enjoyable and great day for running, wheel chair racing, walking, playing music and for selling coconuts.