KING OF THE CARIBBEAN WEBSITE OPENED

The official web site for the December 2002 King of the Caribbean is now live
and can be reached at http://www.bonaireworldfreestyle.com. At this new website
there is information on the Professional and Amateur competitions, island-wide
parties, schedule, registration, accommodations, car and gear rentals and more.
Soon the site will also feature a “See You There” page where windsurfers
can find out who will be attending this PWA World Championship Freestyle Finals

The small island of Bonaire, located in the Dutch Caribbean, is gearing up
for what is expected to be the hottest year-end freestyle finals yet. Bonaire
is one of the three Dutch islands located near Venezuela. While it does not
have the high numbers of tourists as its sister islands Aruba and Curacao, it
is a paradise for scuba diving, snorkeling, and of course, windsurfing. Lac
Bay, the pristine area where the Bonaire Sailing Team trains and plays, will
be the setting for the First Annual Maduro and Curiel’s Bank King of the Caribbean
World Freestyle Finals.

Island stars Tati and Tonky Frans and Keke Dammers will be on hand for the
competition as well as some new “Bonaire Kids.” The Bonaire team has
planned a full week of parties in town and on the beach and expects the entire
island to join the fun.

Event planners warn all potential competitors and spectators to reserve and
buy their airline tickets now. The event falls just before the winter holidays
when flights and hotels fill quickly. Official Airline Sponsor is Air Jamaica.
The special Air Jamaica fare may be accessed by calling 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.

From Europe KLM (Royal Dutch Airline) is offering special group rates to competitors
and spectators. To secure these rates and reservations, contact must be made
with Emile at Maduro Travel. Please email: [email protected] or call their help
desk at 070-3180310 and ask about King of the Caribbean. Their fax is 070-3562850.

If all direct Bonaire flights on Air Jamaica and KLM fill up, travelers can
try American Airlines/American Eagle from the USA or can connect via Curacao
and Aruba on Dutch Caribbean Express, Divi Divi Air and Chogogo Fast Ferry from
Curacao or Avia Air and Aruba Royal Airlines from Aruba. However, gear transport
on the smaller airlines is very limited.

Preliminary schedule for the weeklong event and island-wide party starting
on 11 December is as follows:
11 Dec: Registration and press conference at Kon Tiki at Lac Bay. Opening ceremonies
with A Taste of Bonaire party featuring the USA band Sugaro in Kralendijk.
12 Dec: Competition for professionals in the day, Cultural Night at Hollandse
Grill in the evening.
13 Dec: Competition for professionals, amateurs and juniors in the day; Caribbean
Beach Dinner and Party at Plaza Resort at night.
14 Dec: Competition during the day, dance party at City Cafe at night
15 Dec: Competition in the day, Amateur and Junior Awards Ceremony at night
followed by an all-island party at Karels Beach Bar.
16 Dec: Professional competition in the day with a Culture and Christmas Fair
in Rincon in the evening featuring local bands.
17 Dec: 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.

There are eight competition categories, including:
Pro Division — for those who can perform AERIAL freestyle. There will be a
Men’s Pro Division with a $55,000 purse and Women’s Pro Division, with a $10,000
purse.
Amateur Divisions — for those who can perform PLANING freestyle. There will
be a Men’s Amateur Division, a Masters Amateur Division for men over 35, a Women’s
Amateur Division and a Junior Amateur Division for boys and girls 16 or under.
Novice Divisions — for those who can perform NON-PLANING freestyle. There will
be an Open Competition for men and women and a Junior Novice Division for boys
and girls 16 or under.

Hotel accommodations, car and gear rental can be arranged by contacting Ann
Phelan, event coordinator at mailto:[email protected] 800-219-0118
or 508-385-8174 or visit our web site at: http://www.bonaireworldfreestyle.com/.

The Bonaire Sailing Foundation, a non-governmental organization on the island,
is organizing the event and Maduro & Curiel’s’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.

MEDIA CONTACT INFORMATION
In the USA: Ann Phelan, mailto:[email protected] or by telephone: 508-385-8174

On Bonaire: Byron Trump, mailto:[email protected] or Elvis Martinus
599-717-2288 mailto:[email protected]

Or see visit the Official Web Site: http://www.bonaireworldfreestyle.com /