World Championship Windsurfing Finals
Set for December on Bonaire in the Dutch Caribbean
With a Total Purse of US$65,000

Professional and amateur windsurfers from around the world will meet on the
island of Bonaire in the Dutch Caribbean December 11 to 18 for the Professional
Windsurfing Association (PWA) World Championship Freestyle Finals 2002. The
event, also designated as the "King of the Caribbean Pro-Am," will
offer a total purse of US $65,000, with $55,000 for the men’s category and $10,000
for women.

The "King of the Caribbean" Championship Finals will be the Grand
Prix Finale to the 2002 PWA World Tour. The PWA event will include competitions
for all levels: Professional Men, Professional Women, Amateurs, Novices and
Juniors. The Professional winners will be crowned "King and Queen of the
Caribbean" as well as PWA World Champions for 2002.

In addition to the competitions, there will be island-wide parties throughout
the week, featuring the music of the band "Sugero" from the USA, the
food exposition "A Taste of Bonaire," a Culture and Christmas Fair
in the town of Rincon, and water-side parties almost every night.

Bonaire is the home of the now sixth ranked PWA champion Tonky Frans, as well
as his brother Tati Frans, who is ranked 31 and Keke Dammers, ranked 27th. All
three are still in their teens and have just recently become professional competitors.
Now the entire sports community can see where these new hot shots live and train.

Windsurfing competitions will be held at windy Lac Bay of Bonaire in the Netherlands
Antilles. This small island of just 12,000 people is fast becoming one of the
top windsurfing locations in the world with almost constant on-shore trade winds
averaging 17 knots or stronger all day. For years Bonaire has also been known
as one of the top dive destinations in the world and has often set the world
standard for ocean and reef protection

Qualifying heats for Professionals will be 12 December with competition for
Professionals and amateurs beginning on 13 Dec. Final event for Professionals
will be 17 December. The Bonaire Sailing Foundation, a non-governmental organization
on the island, is organizing the event and Maduro & Curiel’s Bank is the
primary sponsor. The event is a Professional Windsurfing Grand Prix event and
other sponsors include Reda Sosial, the Bonaire Hotel and Tourism Association,
Bonaire Hospitality Group, Bonaire Tourism Corporation and many more local companies
and organizations.

Special travel packages have been arranged by Air Jamaica, the official carrier
for the event and also with KLM from Europe. Both have offered a special promotional
rate for competitors as well as spectators. There is also a discount rate for
shipping competitors’ gear. However, the number of discounted seats is limited
so travelers are urged to order their tickets early.

The special Air Jamaica fare may be accessed by calling Air Jamaica at 800-523-5585
and referencing "Maduro and Curiel’s Bank King of the Caribbean".
Reservations must be booked in B or M class using ticket designator GD20. Last
ticket date 20 November, but competitors and spectators are urged to purchase
tickets earlier due to heavy travel during December.

KLM (Royal Dutch Airline) is offering special group rates to competitors and
spectators from Europe. Contact for these rates and reservations is Emile at
Maduro Travel, telephone: ______________________ or e-mail: _______________________

If the Air Jamaica and KLM flights fill, American Airlines and American Eagle
have daily flights to Bonaire via San Juan Puerto Rico but do not offer cargo
service for competitor’s equipment. If all direct Bonaire flights fill, Curacao
and Aruba can be used with connections to Bonaire via Dutch Caribbean Express,
Divi Divi Air and Chogogo Fast Ferry from Curacao or Avia Air and Aruba Royal
Airlines from Aruba.

Hotel accommodations, car and gear rental can be arranged vial the King of
the Caribbean website: http://www.kingofthecaribbean.com or by contacting Ann
Phalen, event coordinator at [email protected] or 800-219-0118 or 508-385-8174

Preliminary schedule for the weeklong event and island-wide party is as follows:

· Day 1: Press conference and opening ceremonies with "A Taste
of Bonaire" party featuring the USA band "Sugero".
· Day 2: Qualifying heats for professionals in the day, Cultural Night
at Hollandse Grill at night.
· Day 3: Competition for professionals, amateurs and juniors in the day;
Caribbean Beach Dinner and Party at Plaza Resort at night.
· Day 4: Competition during the day, dance party at City Cafe at night
· Day 5: Competition in the day, Amateur and Junior Awards Ceremony at
night followed by an all-island party at Karels Beach Bar with the Sugero band.
· Day 6: Professional competition in the day with a Culture and Christmas
Fair in Rincon in the evening featuring local bands.
· Day 7: PWA World Cup final competition for King and Queen of the Caribbean,
the World Freestyle Champions. Followed by Coronation Ceremony and party at
Sorobon Beach.