Wow!

This is the place

“On my journey around Cyprus, I found a small harbour that had just three fishing boats. I erected my tent in a nearby field and discovered that I was in a little place called Latchi”.

In 2018, we celebrated our 40th Anniversary

40 years of Latchi Watersports. Started in 1978 by Hans Roelofs and still going strong in 2018. It’s a fantastic achievement, made possible by our fabulous and loyal customers throughout the years. Thank you!

Latchi Watersports is the oldest and largest watersports company in Cyprus. And, probably the largest watersports and boat hire company in the Mediterranean. We’ve been going from strength-to-strength since 1978. And, 2018 marks our 40th anniversary.

Join us on a look-back over the past 40 years…

I stumbled-upon Latchi, and, well, fell in love. I decided that this is where I wanted to spend the rest of my life. Who’d have thought that we’d be celebrating that, 40 years later? Of course, nowadays there are many people involved, especially Tom, that make Latchi Watersports what it is today. It’s a fantastic achievement.

Hans Roelofs

founder Latchi Watersports

In 1978, the vessel on which I was sailing had engine trouble and had to divert to Cyprus.

I said to the ship’s captain “where are we?” and he said, “we are in Cyprus!”

“Cyprus?” I said: “where is that? Is that a Greek island?”

“No it is not a Greek island. It is Greek but it doesn’t belong to Greece”. He confirmed.

Just to be certain I asked ‘How long we might be staying’

He said “I’m not sure, but as we have a lot of damage in the engine room we have to stay to complete repairs”

It was agreed that I could leave the boat only if my vehicle and equipment were in the right location on the deck. What luck. They were. So I departed and began exploring. On my way through Paphos, I bumped into some divers and asked them where is the best place to dive. “The Akamas” they exclaimed. So, I found my way to the Akamas from Paphos along dirt roads.

On my journey, I found a small harbour that had just three fishing boats. I erected my tent in a nearby field and discovered that I was in a little place called Latchi.

I packed my diving equipment and launched my boat and started to explore the coastline. ‘WOW, this is the place!’ I knew it. Within a few days, I flew home and sold all my belongings. I came back and bought a few boats and some watersports equipment, and I started Latchi Watersports.

By chance I found Latchi, I took it as a sign I had something bigger to do here. I started work and I never left.