La Ventana Classic/KiteXpo Jan 17-23: Clnics and Schedule!

[marina c]

JANUARY 15: BURNING BUSH
As in the tradition of Burning Bush, the Baja version of Burning Man, no location or time has been announced. Just ask around and you’ll find it!

JANUARY 17-20: DAY TRIPS, CLINICS, EARLY DEMOS:

Surf/Strapless Clinic at Coast by Brendan Richards/Caution Kites, Mark2Dog/Baja Joes: Head to the coast and experience a different part of Baja just two hours away from La Ventana. Get tips to help you in the surf and improve your strapless board skills, plus try out demo gear from Caution and North. If forecast is not good for any day between January 17-19, the clinic will be held somewhere in La Ventana with ‘extras’ to make good for not going to coast. Cost is $103. Minimum 4 people, maximum 12 people. Price includes transportation, snack boar food and drinks.

All Day Girls Clinic at Isla Cerralvo with Laura Maher/Slingshot and Marie Leclerc/Baja Joes/North: Girls of all levels welcome but if you can’t go upwind, you have to return in one of the boats! Spend a day at Isla Cerralvo, the starting point of the 12-mile crossing. At the end you’ll do a dry run of the crossing and finish the day with Happy Hour at Baja Joe’s. Get tips from the pros and try out the new 2011 gear from Slingshot and North. Cost is $103. Minimum 4 people. Price includes transportation, light snacks and drinks. This trip was fully booked last year so if you want to participate, book early! Clinic will specifically fund uniforms and equipment for girls; volleyball and soccer teams at the local Jr. High School.

Two-Day Race Clinic with Andrew and Adam Koch www.teamfluid.com: Learn to race or improve your game – this clinic is taught by the current Kite Racing World Champion, Adam Koch, and his brother Andrew- any questions? Cost is $203. Minimum 4 people, maximum 12 people.

SUP Surf Clinic: Learn the basics of stand up paddle surfing. For riders already comfortable paddling flat water. Travel to the Pacific side of Baja and learn wave riding techniques, whitewater management skills, and how to use the paddle to crank turns. Includes board, paddle, transport, lunch and refreshments, and great individual coaching. Cost is $103

SUP Race Clinic: Learn the basics of stand up paddle racing. Want to tune up before the Paddle Royale? – come and learn from the man who has won it two years in a row — Mark Fields aka “KIWI” from Imperial Beach, CA. Stroke techniques, endurance training, pacing, start strategies, reading the wind and waves, stories from the CA race circuit, and more., plus actual practice races. Clinic will be held 7:30a or12:30p and includes board, paddle, instruction, and refreshments. Cost is $73

Intro to SUP Clinic: New to the sport? Want to paddle flat water and learn the five basic turns, stroke technique, and try a variety of boards? This is the clinic for you! Three hours of instruction and practice. Includes a wide variety of boards and paddles to try, wetsuit, great instruction from Paddlesurf.net ‘s expert team, tips on gear selection, refreshments, and fun! Cost is $53 USD pp

All clinics dependent on weather forecast. See clinics section for all the details and sign up info! Look on this page for Clinic schedule updates or email your clinic’s instructor. We will post clinic location, date and meeting time based on the forecast the evening of Saturday, January 15 http://laventanaclassicbaja.com/inde...&id=6&Itemid=3

DATES TO REMEMBER!

Sat, Jan 15- Final day for online registration- after this date signup in person only and entrance prices go up $10 USD to enter the race.

Tues Jan 18 -9 am in front of the police station or meet in front of Palapas Ventana for a ride to the all hands community service project

Wed Jan 19 – Early registration 9am – 5 pm – get your jersey without the crowd and come back for the 7pm skippers meeting at Palapas Ventana Restaurant – we will announce the racing schedule and rules, late registration. Get your jerseys early please — the short line is for everyone who already registered online.

JANUARY 20-24: THE MAIN EVENT!

Get ready for our island crossing 12 mile kite race, course racing, freestyle contest, Paddle Royale – SUP races including a 12 mile island crossing challenge, biggest KiteXpo ever with tons of gear to test, food, bands, parties every night, and fun—all in the name of raising money for the local schools in La Ventana! Important skippers meeting Wed, January 19, 7p at Palapas Ventana Restaurant. Comp dates, times will be set at skipper’s meeting based on forecast.

Participating demo exhibitors:
Airush – Best – Caution – Dakine – F-One – Isle Surfboards (SUP) – Liquid Force - Mystic – Naish – Ozone – RRD -Slingshot – Underground – Wainman Hawaii – Surfcraft – Paddlesurf.net – SUP Mex – Werner Paddles – Xenon Boards

Evening Festivities:
Thurs, Jan 20: 8 pm Party at Viento del Norte (Pablos’s) Across from the trailer park!! Come and join bartendress Sarah for a great night of drinks, music, and fun.. Hit our donation cans to help further our cause of supporting our schools!! Drinks cost more if you dont have a costume. Fri Jan 21: 6 pm at EXPO BEACH– Mexican Buffet Meal from Taqueria su Amigo Panchoand REGGAE BEACH PARTY with K.L. Reggae band, plus beer and margaritas! Sat Jan 22: 7 pm LUCHA LIBRE MATCH – drinks are cheaper if you have your mask on! Sun Jan 23: 6 pm at EXPO BEACH–Mexican Meal from Rincon De La Bahia evening = 7 pm AWARDS CEREMONY, trophies, slideshow, fundraiser totals at La Ventana Windsports Restaurant – then live Rock n Roll music and drinks at Ventana Del Sol (The RoundHouse next to the trailer park) — the management donates a percentage to the schools so drink up!! What happens in Baja stays in Baja!!!!

Free Beach Clinics: Look on the big board at registration for clinic days and location, based on forecast at Skipper’s Meeting January19. These are condensed versions of the early-week clinics and are on the beach only.

Raffle: Tons of swag will be given away daily! New 2011 Caution Spitfire, 2011 Best Surfboard, 2011 Wainman Hawaii 6’3″ Classic Surf, Mystic Harness, F-One Board Bag, SUP boards, SUP padddles, cool apparel, gift certificates to local eateries and hotels, and more!

All info and updates at http://www.laventantaclassicbaja.com

[marina c]

update 12.29.10:

Wainman Hawaii is raffling off a 6'3" Classic Surf, not the 6'2" Magnum

F-One added light wind/demo clinic to early week clinic schedule Jan 17-19

all updates at www.laventanaclassicbaja.com

[ricki]

Looks like fun! Looking forward to checking out your coverage of the event.