Banana Boat Windfest, a Success
FRIDAY, 26 JANUARY 2007
The recent Banana Boat Windfest last January 20 - 22, held at the Silver Rock Beach in Christ Church was a success.
The three-day event saw over 60 competitors from the UK, Poland, France, Italy and Barbados battle it out to win the Wind-surf Slalom, Windsurfing Expression, Kitesurfing Expression and the Downwind Race from Long Beach to the finish line on Silver Rock beach.
Wind conditions were light on Saturday, but competitors managed to get the windsurfing slalom racing underway and all willingly participated in fun beach games, such as paddle racing on surf boards, when the wind died off much to the crowd's amusement. By Sunday morning, the wind had really picked up and all races went ahead as scheduled, with locals and visitors returning to the beach to enjoy music, food, drink and explosive wind sports action in the water.
The Errol Barrow Bank Holiday saw even more of a crowd at the beach and this was the most exciting day, as all the race finals were held.
DuPont, a French windsurfer who travels to Barbados every year for the excellent wind conditions here, claimed first place in the Windsurf Slalom.
The Windsurf Expression session was won by local, Gregg Howard, who impressed the crowd with his freestyle manoeuvres and control of his board and equipment.
The Kitesurf Expression session was won by local kitesurf instructor, Junior, who also shared joint first in the final race of the day the Downwind Race from Long Beach to Silver Rock.
This final race came to a climax as another local, Steve Campbell, rounded the point with Junior hot on his tail. As the two crossed the finish line and sailed towards the beach, they were neck and neck all the way and held out their hands and sailed in together.
The two split the $600 prize money as they celebrated at the prize-giving ceremony held at Surfer's Bay Beach Bar.
Organizers have already set the date for the same weekend next year, which will be Saturday, January 19; Sunday, January 20; and Monday, January 21, 2008.
For more information regarding next year's event, call Veronica Little at 420 -8550.
Source:
www.barbadosadvocate.com
|
|
|
|
|
Basics & Backgrounds
Home
Print News Item
Email News Item
Comment on News Item
Submit News Item
Search News Items