Windsurfing Kids Around the World Prepare for Bonaire’s Starboard Pro Kids Freestyle Event
With the return of summer, one of windsurfing’s hottest events, the Starboard Pro Kids Freestyle World, also returns to Bonaire. The event is set for August 1st through 5th, 2007 at windy Lac Bay. International freestyle qualifiers have been running all spring and will continue into the summer with young freestyle talent competing for an opportunity to fly to Bonaire for this event.
The Bonaire Pro Kid’s Team will be heading off island early this summer to compete in several events and to promote the August Freestyle Event. The first stop is in Aruba at one of the sport’s oldest ongoing windsurfing events, Aruba Hi Winds. Over 60 Bonaire sailors will head to their sister island to compete in the freestyle and slalom action. This windsurf delegation will promote the Starboard Pro Kids Worlds while enjoying the Aruban hospitality and hot windsurf action. A group of Pro Kids heads to the Slalom Pro Kids Worlds in Turkey later in July. The team is comprised of nine-year old Jurgen Saragoza, ten-year old Amado Vrieswijk, twelve-year old Dylen Robles, fifteen-year old Bjorn Saragoza, fifteen-year old Clifton Pier and his older brother Harvey. The adult chaperon will be former Olympian Constantine Saragoza, who will also compete in the Master’s Worlds. Traveling with the team for support will be the families of these talented hot shots. Pro Sailor Ruben Petrisie will be on hand to help raise the Bonaire flag at the opening ceremony. Ruben has been on the European Freestyle Tour for several years representing Bonaire. Later, Bjorn Saragoza, a Starboard and Hot Sails Team Rider, will head to the EFPT Turkey event celebrating his rise to Pro status.
Rumor has it Team Aruba has over 20 sailors flying in for the August Bonaire event. Sara Quita Offringa, one of the world’s best women freestylers will be on hand along with her equally talented brother Quincy. Other Aruban wiz kids will be in the house to represent their island. Sailors from Germany, France, Belgium, Dominican Republic, and beyond have already bought their air tickets and will begin arriving mid-July to train for the finals. The heat is on and the windsurfing place to be in August is certainly Bonaire.
For event details, contact ann@bonairewindsurfing.com. Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations will arrange discounted accommodations, gear and vehicle rental as well as hospitality support. For additional information, visit the event web site at www.prokidsfreestyle.com.
Our Event Sponsors: Starboard, RRD, TCB, Maduro and Curiel’s Bank, Rocargo, Bonaire Windsurf Place, Aquaspeed, Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations, Budget Car Rental-Bonaire, Plaza Resort Bonaire, Habitat Resort, Coco Palm Garden, NetTech, Windguru, TELBO, Hot Sails Maui, Blue Lagoon. (Source: TCB Release)
