The Cabarete Windsurf Race Week is taking place in Cabarete, on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. The race is governed by the rules of the PWA (2000). The 19-25 June competition brings together some of the best windsurf professional and amateur athletes to compete in downwind slalom and course slalom. The classes are: Open Men’s (18-34), Open Women’s (all ages), Junior (17 and under), Masters (35-44), Grand Master’s (45 and over), Sports Class (for all beginner/intermediate racers). Registration days are 19/20 June. Cabarete is one of the best natural sites for windsurf competitions. During this time of the year, the wind speed ranges from 15 to 25 knots, rarely dropping below 12 knots or exceeding 25 knots. The small hotels beach strip hosted the Professional World Cup in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1997. Windsurfers of world repute, such as Naish, Dunkerbeck, Bringdal, Teritehau have raced in Cabarete enjoying its challenging racing conditions. The Cabarete Race Week dates back to 1997. While it’s a world cup site, it’s an amateur event. The emphasis is on well-organized, competitive racing for all classes. There is also emphasis on improving windsurfing skills, and on family recreational activities. The Bay of Cabarete and the reef provide challenging but safe conditions. The staging area is right on the beach along with the rigging and launching area. Competitors can relax between heats at one of the many juice bars just steps from the staging area. Most hotels are walking distance from the race site. And there is a variety of over 30 restaurants also within walking distance. Cabarete is also only a 20-minute drive from the Puerto Plata Gregorio Luperon International Airport. For more information on the race, see the http://www.hispaniola.com/Cabarete (19 June 2000)
