Today was the second day of the 2011 La Ventana Classic and KiteXpo, and the day did not disappoint. After a few days of light wind, the El Norte winds returned with a vengeance today. Shortly after sunrise, approximately 130 kiteboarders and windsurfers began gathering on the beach today in front of Baja Joe’s to be shuttled to Isla Cerralvo to prepare for the crossing.
The wind was already up at the island when the first boat arrived and it filled in all the way to the beach in La Ventana early in the day. After a few group photos, a riders’ meeting, and a prize give away, the riders took to the water for an amazing start to the La Ventana Classic and the top riders blasted into the channel, which was full of 6-8 foot swell. Official results are not available yet, but the top riders for the kiteboarders are:
La Ventana Classic 2011
Men Kiteboarders:
1. Johny Heineken
2. Damien LeRoy
3. Sean Farley
Women Kiteboarders:
1. Kirsten Ulmer
2. Shannon Gormley
3. Marie Leclerc
Sportsmen:
1. Craig Lumpp
2. Michael Glass
3. Gary Martin
Very quickly after the crossing, the Big Air/Old School competition was started in near-perfect conditions. Today the first round of the big air was completed, and the semi-finals and finals will be held tomorrow. Riders from all over North America entertained the crowd for hours with big air jumps and old school moves. Following the day’s events, Ventana Windsport’s restaurant Coyas offered dinner on the beach followed by a reggae party on the beach at the event site.
Everyone is looking forward to tomorrow, which is promising another great day of wind here in beautiful La Ventana. If you’re not here, you’re missing the party!
