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Bonaire, August 1-5 2007
Netherlands Antilles
STARBOARD Prokids Freestyle Champions 2006
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STARDBOARD Prokids World Championship |
DAY 1 || DAY 2 || DAY 3 || DAY 4 || DAY 5 || Coverage Local news
DAY 1A record has been set. Today at registration, the Pro Kids Committee greeted and registered 131 competitors for the event. Team Aruba and Team Curacao brought over 65 kids combined. Their spirit and enthusiasm added to the positive island vibe. It took over 3 hours to register the masses including the teams from Aruba and Curacao. During registration, lively music played as the event site reached completion. At 6 PM a press conference was held with dignitaries and event officials welcoming all. Happy Hour followed adding to the festive mood of the many sailors and spectators.
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DAY 2The day started off with the officials noticing what has been called “the blob” on the weather radar. A tropical system passed to the north of Bonaire this morning drenching the island with intense rain showers. Despite the inclement weather volunteers set up the press scaffolding in the water and the entire crew prepared for the first day of heats. By 12 the rain had passed and a skippers meeting was held by race officials Tinho and Susie Dornellas and local race assistant, Franklin “Paco” Veeris. The Judges comprised of an international mix of windsurf experts met to discuss the scoring system. The bay was a riot of color as over 100 kids trained their tricks in preparation for the upcoming heats. From 1-4 PM heats were held for the boys. A course was set up and despite very light winds the competitors brought on some funky freestyle moves. Some of the leaders of the heats included the international delegation including Dominik Kovarik from the Czech Republic and Max Droege from Germany. Dieter van der Eijken from Belgium also shined today in the heats. Arubian hot shots twins Quincy and Wesley Connor led the pack representing Aruba as did Felix Martina from Curacao. This kid had an infection non stop smile on the water. These kids were full of island spirit during their heats. Local heroes included Bjorn Saragoza, Arturo Soleano, Youp Schmidt and Archuendro Finies. Other Bonairean hot shots showing a dazzling display including Hendrick Ballentien and Rodderick Boekhoudt. The day ended with vibrant happy hour and music by the Silver Bullet Steel Band.
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DAY 3Pro Kids’ Official Weather Site, www.windguru.cz predicted winds hovering around 16-20 knots and they were right on. The fresh trades made for lively freestyle early in the day. UK Nic Hidbrige traveled to his summer home to compete in the event. He attempted a few Gecko Flaka’s and some sail spins earning him a chance to advance to the semi finals Sat. The 8-9 year old girls were the sweethearts of the competition. Rebecca De Winter (CUR), Anais Paulette (BON), Noa Stomp (BON), Tati Suriel, (DOM) Esther Van Zadelhoff (CUR) and Mavelly Velandia (BON) followed each other around the course showing up off some emerging freestyle tricks. By mid day the winds dropped considerably creating a totally different sailing situation. The 18+ category was the high spirited high adrenaline heats with Caesar Finies (BON) throwing the first light wind forward loop of the competition dazzling the crowd. The only adult female Hilde Tuinbeek (CUR) showed off her light wind talents with some impressive moves. Charlton Soleano (BON) showed up a brilliant smile as he wowed the crowds with his light wind finesse.
Irieman Brian Talma, windsurf celebrity, arrived mid day checking out “de action”. He is on island to MC the event and to support the island culture and youth in windsurfing. Talma, a team rider for sponsors Starboard and Hot Sails Maui is the ultimate windsurf ambassador. Pro Kids 2007 welcomes Brian back to the shores of Bonaire. Race Director Tinho Dornellas organized a “windsurf snake” where about 75 kids followed each other around the bay posing for the international press. It was a spectacle of color and windsurf artistry. Later, DJ Paco from the famous Mambo Beach pumped out the late day music to herald in Pro Kid’s daily Happy Hour. The sun was setting as everyone headed off the beach.
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DAY 4
The winds were light early in the day but spirits high as the competitors met at the daily skipper’s meeting presented by Race Directors, Tinho and Susie Dornellas. A new course was set and the days plan established. The stakes were high as the rounds were double ladder eliminations enabling each competitor two chances to win their heats. The first heats of the morning included the 16-17 year old sailing fleet. There was a tough first round for German Max Droege who faced off against number 1 pro of the world, Kiri Thode. Kiri won the round but Max later had another opportunity to try again against another opponent. Team Curacao and Team Aruba were worthy opponents against the Bonaire Team. Young sailors and the teams were trying their best to show off some moves in the non planning winds. As the day progressed the winds ramped and big long boards and wide boards were replaced with shortboard freestyle. Victor Wederfort from Curacao was pumping into a plane throwing some tricks. Caesar Finies and Chal Soleano took turns wowing the crowd with Hoss Tacks, Flakas and Diablos. Quincy Offringa from Aruba dazzled the crowds with his winning smile and his sick freestyle moves.
The Live Streaming Video is being run by Tom Grey (www.webcast-tv.com) assisted by Andy Brandt of ABK Boardsports. Josh Sampiero from Windsurfing Magazine (USA) is also on hand for commentary assistance as well as the windsurf ambassador, Brian Talma. This is a unique opportunity to see the action live via www.prokidsfreestyle.com. The day ended with a beach BBQ and a reggae beach party. Sunday is set to be a jam packed day with the finals, Baby Class at 12 PM and the Classic Freestyle Session at 1 PM. The awards ceremony will he held at 5 and then the closing party.
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DAY 5Sunday was the finals as the best freestylers in the world set to face off for the big win. The heats were very intense with a high level of competition. The winds started off fresh for the heats. One of the best heats of the morning was the dual between Arthuro “Payo”Soleano and Kiri Thode. Their rapid succession of moves was almost too much for the announcers to keep track of. Some of the moves with crazy names included a Double Matrix and a Sleepy Hollow (clew first heli tack into a duck in the boom), Hoss Tacks, and some switch stance moves including Kiri’s signature, the Gecko Flaka.
In the 10-11 year old boys final Amada Vrieswijk (BON) and Nick Von den Eereben (AUA) went off against each other executing some sick moves. Nick threw an Ankle Biter while Amado returned with Seated Tack. Nick attempted a Boomerang. There was a dizzy array of combinations including a Fin First Board Jibe with some amazing combinations including Nick’s Clew First Sail Spin, a Combo Pirouette Hoss Tack and a flawless Body Sail 360 for Amado. Youp Schmidt faced off against Dylan Robles. Youp displayed a Switch Stance Duck Jibe right around the bouy into a One Handed Gecko. Dylan threw back a One Handed Upwind Tack in the footstraps. The heat was adrenaline packed from start to finish. For the 13-15 year olds Dieter van der Eyken set off against Bonaire’s own Bjorn Saragoza in the finals. Both evenly matched with same gear and body size had succession of supe moves including a Back To Sail No Hands for Bjorn with Dieter returning with a Sail Flip Gecko. Bjorn dazzled the crowd with a Rail Ride with No Hands. The Baby Class was the hit of the day. Sarginho Finies and Nathan Finies advanced after showing constant sail maneuvers including the ONLY jump thru the boom accomplished by Sarginho. The only US competitor was Nicolas Sanchez from Florida. This 7 year old is preparing for his windsurf career by attending his first freestyle competition. What a place to learn how to compete. The energy of the baby class was completely contagious. The bay was chock full of wee ones and their parents and coaches creating a dynamic energy. The Baby Class Fleet grew to 33 sailors this year. The Classic Freestyle Expression session featured some old school sailors showing off some old school moves, Brian Talma and Andy Brandt showed off their old school tricks whilst Bonaireans Caesar Finies and Charlton Soliano showed off their new school talent. There were lots of jumps, spins and laughs. As the day progressed and the scoring was completed the crowd was treated to a concert by the popular Aruba Rap Band Basic 1. Event Director Elvis Martinus introduced a new rap song that was written for the Bonaire Team. The spectator crowd crew and the event site was jumping. A body building contest and fashion show provided further entertainment. The Award Ceremony featured the lead sponsors on hand to celebrate the win in all the categories. Handcrafted Starboard Tiki Plaques, Digicel goodies, Starboard Rash Guards, Dakine harnesses, Red Bull and other prizes were given to the winners. As the sun set with the Red Feather Drum Line playing the spirits remained high and new found friends exchanged information to keep in touch promising to meet back for next year.
Final Results Prokids 2007AUA = Aruba AMATEUR WOMEN AMATEUR MEN CLASSIC FREESTYLE BABY KIDS Girls 0-7 BABY KIDS Boys 0-7 Baby Kids Girls 0-7 Baby Kids Boys 0-7 Girls 8-9 Boys 8-9 Girls 10-11 Boys 10-11 Girls 12-13 Boys 12-13 Girls 14-15 Boys 14-15 Girls 16-17 Boys 16-17 Queen of Pro Kids 2007 King of Pro Kids 2007
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Coverage Pro Kids 2007 local newspapers:- Amigoe (Dutch)
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