Just got this in from AJ with Kitetricity.com:
Last year's race
"2010 Central Florida Open Ocean DownWinder
Kitetricity Kiteboarding, VooDoo Kiteboarding, along with Cancer Care Centers and Foundation of Melbourne will have the 2nd annual "Central Florida Open Ocean DownWinder" which will be held on either the 20th, 21st of February, with back-up dates of the 27th, 28th of February, or the 6th, 7th of March. The Event/Race will cover 60 miles of the East Coast of Florida, starting at Cocoa Beach and ending at Vero Beach, or vise versa, depending on the wind direction.
Brand New this year will be a 30 mile downwinder for those who think that they can not make it the whole 60 miles. The half-way point for that event/race will be at a place called Sebastian Beach Inn Restaurant (S.B.I) 7035 S. Highway A1A, Melbourne Beach, 321-728-4311. S.B.I is half-way from both directions, coming down from the north, or coming up from the south.
There will be a 72, 48, 36 hour "heads-up notice" prior to the Event/Race per the Wind. If the Event/Race starts at Cocoa Beach, it will start at a place called "Cheri Down City Park" (corner of Washington and Ridgewood Ave, Cape Canaveral), which is where we started last year. If the Event/Race starts from the Vero Beach end, then it will start at South Beach Access at the end of East Causeway Blvd (17th Street Bridge).
We are working on getting a 15 passenger van or something of that size to transport Kiteboarders and gear to the "Start Line". If this does come together, then Kiteboarders will meet at the "Finish Line" to be transported up to the "Start Line". We are also hoping that "Support Teams" (i.e., parents, friends, kite companies, etc) will be traveling A1A for any Kiteboarding support. The Passenger Van will be limited to gear and number of Kiters, and it will be a $5.00 fee per Kiter. So choose Your gear wisely before you get onboard the Van, it will be a "One-Way" trip ONLY. First come, First serve, unless We have a reason for two vans, just contact us so we can get a head count.
This is an EVENT/RACE, but it will not be that hard to figure out "How to Do it". Just go very FAST along the Shoreline, and avoid the two piers and one inlet. You must stay offshore at least 100 YARDS to be SAFE of the Life Guard Stations… PLEASE… There are only 9 on the 60 mile downwinder, so be COOL, and stay out of the "SWIM ZONE"...
On Event/Race Day, there will be a Skipper's Meeting 30 minutes before the Start, MANDATORY.. There will be a $40.00 Race Fee for All Kiteboarders. We will collect that the day of the Event/Race, prior to the Skipper's Meeting. We do have Clearance to Cross in Front of Patrick Air Force Base again this Year, but it will be a very small window, so try and get across that "Air Space" as soon as possible.
Kitetricity Kiteboarding and VooDoo Kiteboarding wants everyone to know, that if you do this Event/Race, You will be responsible for anything that happens to You and Your gear. This event is for FUN Only, and if you are not up to 60 miles in Open Ocean Conditions, then you should at least try the 30 mile part of the event. We are looking for Help for this event, if you just want to be part of history, and don't think you can make the DownWinder….Contact Us if you want to Help, We can use you...
This Event/Race will have a 1st, 2nd, 3th place finish for Men...(60 mile downwinder)
1st, 2nd, 3th place for Women..(60 mile downwinder)
1st Place for Master's..(45 years and older, 60 mile downwinder)
1st Place for 20 year old or younger..(30 mile downwinder)
1st Place for Woman..(30 mile downwinder)
1st Place for Master's..(45 years and older, 30 mile downwinder)
Schedule for the Event/Race Day..Loading for Transportation starts at 7:30 til 8:15...Transportation Leaves at 8:15… SHARP!
9:15 til 10:00 Reservation
10:00 til 10:30 Mandatory Skipper's Meeting
10:30 til 11:00 Getting Ready for the Race
11:00 Race is ON, if the Wind is Good...(15mph plus)
After the Event/Race is over, there will be a Trophy presentation at S.B.I. 7035 S. Highway A1A, Melbourne Beach, 321-728-4311..So enjoy the Food and Spirits until the "Rescue Team" has finished the Race..(A.J.Morgan, Scott Polera, and anyone else that wants to just come with us and enjoy the ride, instead of Racing, can but we will be moving as fast as possible also..)
There will be a Pre-Party Event at Sand on the Beach Bar and Grill at 1005 Atlantic St, Melbourne Bch FL 321-327-8951 the night before the Event/Race..We will be shooting for the 19th of February around 7ish...
A.J. Morgan
P.S. We are looking for any Sponsor’s to donate any “Swag” to the Event/Race, (i.e. t-shirts, hoodies, kite gear, board bags, magazines, etc) to be presented to the Riders at the Trophy Presentation…
Reigning Champ from last year is Sean Reyngoudt, who did it in 2 hours and 18 minutes... VDK"
Photos from last years unique race at:
http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=8052
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