Wanted: The master of the Ocean

Cabarete’s shores will soon be welcoming the best exhibitors in surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. The 6th edition of the Snapple Master of the Ocean 2008 will take place February 27th –March 2nd thanks to Cadbury Schweppes Beverage Corporation Americas.

If the third one’s the charm then the sixth equals total consolidation.  One of the most important and pioneering tournaments in its genre, Snapple Master of the Ocean, returns this year, loaded with excitement and skill over Cabarete’s enticing waves.

Athletes are training. No loose ends are being left unattended. And in only a few more weeks, action on water will be experienced one more time. We talk of course about this unique event that arrives to our shores this year thanks to the support of Snapple and the Ministry of Tourism, gathering like in past years, the best representatives, both locally and internationally, that compete against one another to thus obtain the title of “Master of the Waves”.

The general concept for the event has always been to position the Dominican Republic at a level, for example, from Hawaii, whereas a sports competition sans égal, a sort of registered brand name that supports local talent, federation and visa-free”, explains Marcus Bohm, creator, organizer and main promoter for the event. “After visiting so many countries, Cabarete, located on the north shore of the Dominican Republic, continues to be till this day the best venue to enjoy the waves and this entire entire wonderful region that has so much to offer its visitors.

Voila! While participants are putting all of their might, creating and developing skillful maneuvers and jumps over the water, while the public delights itself of the greatest sports event ever seen, they can also fully enjoy of Cabarete’s rich and diverse gastronomic offer and its exciting nightlife. Hence, a special and unique feeling, known to many as the Cabarete mood.

Also, as a “side dish” to the event, a series of collateral events is also underway that will complement the spirit of the event” spread out in every splash, so explains Marcus Bohm, organizer for this aquatic triathlon.

This is how it goes: Alter the eliminatory rounds, athletes partake in different disciplines (surf, windsurf and kite surfing) and their overall performance is jointly evaluated; whomever gathers the most amount of points at the end wins the title and will be known for one year as the “Master of the Ocean.”  The championship title also comes with a cash prize of USD 10,000.00) plus another USD$ 1,000.00 for best performance). Michael Guzmán, Luciano González, James Ortis and Jean Marco Rivera have obtained this title in past years.

But there are other awards: “Master Surf”, “Master Windsfurf” and “Master Kite”. This year new talents will also be rewarded under the title of “Future Master” a new concept created to enthuse the younger athletes.

One of the greatest novelties for this edition is the participation of Snapple as official sponsor for this year’s event. Cadbury Schweppes Beverage Corporation Americas has prepared a special international promotion taking the “Master of the Ocean” as its kick-off point.

Local Talent
Though Cabarete will be the point of rendezvous for athletes from all over the world, local talent is this year’s great protagonist. “Snapple Master of the Ocean” is a Dominican competition, created so these greatly skilled promoters of local talent can fully compete and show no restriction, right in their own beach. Jean Marco Rivera was awarded Master in 2007.