THE CAUSE:

Last year we raised over $2500 USD which bought roofing materials for the El Sargento Primary School playground and  medical supplies for the Health Center in El Sargento. This year our goal this year is to raise over $6000 USD to help pay for the following projects:
- La Ventana Kindergarden – repairs to fencing, playground toys
- El Sargento Primary School – labor to finish the shade roof, construction of a much needed bathroom for students, and painting of the school – supplies and volunteer labor

THE RACE - ENTRY:

Entry fee is $40 USD - sign up and pay in person at Palapas Ventana or Baja Joes or sign up by email tim@palapasventana.com and pay online.
Competitors get a tshirt, lunch on the island, race jersey, entry in all events, and a chance to do a lot of good in our small community!! 

The wind window for the events will be Jan 25-28

VOLUNTEERS and Panguero MEETING:  JAN 15^th 7:00 pm at the Palapas Ventana Restaurant
SKIPPERS MEETING for all racers: Jan 24^th – 7:00 pm at the Palapas  Ventana  Restaurant

EVENT 1 = KITE LOOP CONTEST:

First choice of dates = Jan 25 - wind dependent
Starting at 2:00pm
Contest will be judged on highest, most technical and best wipe out.
Prizes for each.

EVENT 2 = THE CROSSING:

First choice of dates = Jan 26 – wind dependent

The Course: the race is a 10.5 nm crossing from Isla Cerralvo to a turning buoy at Palapas Ventana and then through a series of broad reach buoys close to shore ending in front of Baja Joe's. 

Class  divisions:  One is for 'serious' competitors and the other will be for 'sportsmen' that just want to participate and contribute to the cause, but don’t want to crowd the top competitors

Boats will load at 7:30 am in front of Baja Joes

Each kiter may bring 2 kites and one board - kites must be deflated and in bags with names on them

Each windsurfer may bring one board, 1 mast, 1 boom and 2 sails - sails must be completely derigged and bagged up with names on them

Pangas once loaded will motor from the finish line through the downwind buoys, and then cross to the island starting line showing the racers the exact race course they need to follow - racers will get bearings and line ups on the way over to aid them in their crossing

Lunch will be provided for all racers at the island

Once we have confirmation that the wind has filled in across the channel, the signal will be given and all racers must make their final selection of gear. All extra gear will need to be bagged up and will be transported back to the finish line.

 The start - competitor division will start first -
The start will be a rabbit style start. racers must cross between the committee boat and an anchored buoy.  The committee boat will be next to the buoy during the 10 minute start countdown and then at the start will motor south away from the buoy opening up the starting line between the buoy and the boat. Racers must cross astern of the panga!!! Another panga will be a half mile ahead of the racers at the start to get them on the right course: the start signals will be :
- 10 minute warning – orange smoke
- 5 minute warning – 5 red flags
- 3 minute warning – 3 red flags
- 2 minute warning – 2 red flags
- 1minute warning – 1 red flag
- 30 seconds – 3 short airhorn blasts, 1 red flag remains up
- 20 seconds – 2 short airhorn blasts, 1 red flag remains up
- Final 10 second countdown – 1 short airhorn blast each second, 1 red flag remains up
- Start – committee panga opens the starting line gap by motoring south , 1 red flag comes down and one prolonged airhorn blast sounds

Pangas  will cross with the racers providing safety coverage.  Live kites will not be touched.  Riders who can not re-launch will be instructed to deflate and board a panga.
All riders will cross finish line and then land kite or windsurfer and check in with beach safety officer
Prizes for 1st,2nd,3rd place mens and womens winners (kite or windsurfer) in Sportsmans divisions

Top 16 men and top 8 women advance to buoy racing finals

EVENT 3= THE FINALS:  - BUOY RACING

First choice of dates = Jan 27 – wind dependent

Starting at 1:30 pm

The races will  be run with a fixed start/finish  line, upwind, reach, and downwind marks.
The start will be a 3 minute countdown with the same signals as the crossing

MENS SEMI FINAL ONE – top men who finished  in 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,and 15th place in the    crossing race

MENS SEMI FINAL TWO – top men who finished in 2,4,6,8,10,12,and 14th place in the crossing race

WOMENS FINAL- – top 8 women who finished  in the crossing race compete for the overall Womens Winners

MENS FINAL – top 4 from each mens semi Final compete for the overall Mens Winners

 1^st Place Men overall = $300 USD

1^st Place Women overall = $200 USD

Other great prizes for 2 and 3^rd place Mens and Womens divisions

EVENT 4= OLD SKOOL TRICK CONTEST

First choice of dates = Jan 28 – wind dependent

Starting at 2:00pm Contest will be judged on style points - Prizes for top 3

PAINT the PRIMARY SCHOOL!!

All Racers and Volunteers are encouraged to participate in a 3 hour work party at the El Sargento Primary School – we will paint one of the wings of classrooms. Meet in front of Palapas Ventana at 7:30 am on Jan 25^th to arrange transportation. Wear old clothes.

AWARDS PARTY:

At PALAPAS VENTANA on Jan 27th at 7:00 pm

Award presentations, final fundraising tallies, Beers, Margaritas, Beer Pong Tournament and Live Music for dancing

 

ALL EVENTS are at The EXPO set up in front of Baja Joes unless otherwise stated

ALL schedules subject to change based on the wind!!!