Calema Windsurfing and Watersports at Merritt Island, Fla. is hosting its 25th Calema Midwinters Windsurfing Festival from March 4 to March 7, 2010. This year’s festival will include the Kona North American Championships and the Bic Techno 293 North Americans, which will be the qualifier for the first youth Olympic games in Singapore this summer.The Midwinters kicks off the 2010 windsurfing season as one of the most watched races in the world and the largest in the United States. International windsurfing pros and Olympic contenders will be attending the annual competition to be held at Kelly Park at 2550 N. Banana Drive. Some of the pros to be on hand include Gonzalo Costa Hoevel from Argentina, Jesper Vesterstrom from Denmark, and Micah Buzianis from Maui.
Calema Windsurfing and Watersports — owned by Susie and Tinho Dornellas (one of two master instructors for windsurfing in the nation) produce the Midwinters. The races are held on the Banana River at Merritt Island, which is outside Orlando.
What makes the Midwinters different from other windsurfing competitions is that it allows windsurfers of all levels to compete, even beginners, not just those of Olympic stature or the pros, Dornellas said.
An international junior racing clinic will also be held at Kelly Park on March 1 and 2 to get the youth ready for the North American Championships.
The Midwinters is a fun family event and offers an opportunity to view the best racers in the world on the water, sailing their colorful windsurfing rigs. There is no entry fee to watch the festivities.
Sponsors will demonstrate some of their products on Thursday, March 4. (Sponsors include: Brevard County Park and Recreation, Bic Sport, Kona Windsurfing, Starboard, Space Coast Office of Tourism, DaKine, Albert Ferrer, DC, Radisson Resort at the Port, Exocet, Fanatic, Windsport Magazine, and Iwindsurf.)
Awards will be presented on Sunday, March 7 at the end of the races.
Early entry fee for all A-fleet racers is $125, with Sport/Workshop fleets at $115. The entry fee for juniors and kids categories (non A-fleet) is $98. Registration for non-racers is $60.
For more information on the festival, to register to race or to attend the clinic, call 1-321-453-3223. Registration and a complete schedule of activities can also be found on the web at www.calema.com.
Calendar Item:
What:
25th Calema Midwinters Windsurfing Festival with the Kona North American Championships & Bic Techno 293 North Americans.
See the windsurfing pros from around the world in action! See demonstrations by the sponsors. Where:
Calema Windsurfing and Watersports, Kelly Park, 2550 N. Banana River Drive, Merritt Island, Fla.
When:
Thursday, March 4 to Sunday, March 7
Cost: Spectators free entry. Racers registration varies by age and fleet
Information and Registration: 1-321-453-3223/www.Calema.com/Susie@calema.com
Contact: Publicity by Shelley/Klaner PR
415/898.6564 • 707/694.1101
Contact: Calema Windsurfing & Watersports
Tinho or Susie Dornellas, 321/453.3223
