The First Annual Punta Sayulita Longboard and Stand Up Paddle Classic is set to take place on April 17-18, 2010 in Sayulita, Mexico. Punta Sayulita is 35 minutes north of Puerta Vallarta and is known for its beautiful beaches, inviting surf and attractive accommodations.
The weekend event will offer entertainment and involvement for all vacationers. Stand up paddle surfers of all ages and abilities are invited to enter the Punta to Punta race, 5K and 10K open ocean distance races in which paddlers will travel between Sayulita and the neighboring village of Sancho Pancho. Stand up paddling can be compared to canoeing or kayaking, but instead the participants stand up on a board and navigate the water using a paddle.
The field for The Punta Sayulita Classic is limited to 30 competitors made up of both professional invitees and amateurs who will compete in various age group divisions as well as in the open contest for the longboard and stand-up paddle surfing (SUP) categories. Additionally, professional short board surfers will entertain spectators with an “expression session” air show of acrobatic aerial maneuvers.
Top Longboard and Stand Up Paddler Surfers to Compete in The Classic
The international field of professional surfers from the United States and Mexico is led by Honorary Ambassadors James Pribram of Laguna Beach, CA, renowned Mexican big wave surfer, Carlos “Coco” Nogales of Puerto Escondido and Mexico’s current national longboard champion, Patricio Gonzalez of Sayulita.
Actor, environmental activist and avid stand up paddle board and longboard surfer, David Chokachi, also will compete in the Classic. Chokachi is best known for his role as Cody Madison on the hit television series, “Baywatch.” The Surfrider Foundation, in recognition of Chokachi's work as an environmental activist for environmental, recently awarded him the prestigious “Keeper of the Coast Award.”
Proceeds raised from the Classic will be donated to the local Sayulita chapter of the Reef Check Foundation and The Punta Sayulita Foundation. The Reef Check Foundation is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of tropical and rocky coral reefs around the world.
Plan Your Mexico Vacation Around the Longboard and Stand Up Paddle Classic
The surfing village of Sayulita, Mexico is located along the Riviera Nayarit, 35-minutes north of Puerto Vallarta and 15 minutes north of Punta de Mita. The small town of Sayulita has a population of about 2,500 residents. Visitors to the area can choose from a variety of local accommodations such as villa rentals and hotels.
The longboard and the SUP surfing contest, limited to 30 participants, is $400 pesos. The Punta to Punta stand up paddle distance race is $200 pesos in advance and $250 pesos the day of the event. There is no limit to the number of competitors for the Punta a Punta SUP Distance Races. All entry applications for the Longboard and SUP surfing contests, as well as the SUP distance race, should be made via the email on the event website.
On Sunday evening following both days of completion, the Classic Awards Dinner Fiesta will be held at the Don Pedros oceanfront event palapa. Competitors and guests will enjoy an authentic Mexican BBQ buffet, live music and a live raffle. The Classic Fiesta is open to the public and tickets may be purchased at the door.
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