Jibe City has a large stock of 2012 windsurf gear rigged and ready. Bonaire has been experiencing their best steady winds of the year with the average sail size being 5.5 for men and 4.2-4.7 for women. It’s been a great holiday windsurf season so far. With brand spanking new year, it’s time to book your windsurf vacation.
I recently demoed an amazing 99 liter JP Freestyle board. The graphics were cool but more important this is a sweet board. This light weight super wide board was a breeze to sail during a high chop session. I teamed the board up with a 4.9 Neil Pryde Fusion. It was a light sail with plenty of low end power to get up to a plane quickly. I didn’t full appreciate the sail as the wind conditions were a bit gusty but feel this HD version sail.
Gert - Manager at Jibe City
Jibe City is staffed by a tight cohesive group of dedicated professionals available to rig and caddy your gear, lend some gear advice or to offer lessons to hone your skills. Jibe City is the official site of Andy Brandt’s ABK Boardsports School. On site is Hang Out bar serving refreshing drinks and libations as well as healthy and delicious food treats.
To book your gear and ABK Board Sports clinic or lessons contact Ann Phelan, the Bonaire specialist at ann@bonairewindsurfing.com
Exocet Twin Fins
Look for a more detailed gear review in next week’s blog post. Bon Anja, Happy New Year from Bonaire!
I became a windsurfer in the late 90′s. It was all I thought about and encompassed all aspects of my life. I thought and lived wind. In the late 90′s I spent many a cold winter nights watching instructional windsurf videos. My favorite videos were the productions of my now friend and colleague, Dasher. Dasher made these cool videos of some kids n Aruba’s sister island, Bonaire. They were crazy hot shots on Bic mini rigs. I had heard whispers of this island in the windsurf community but never made it there. One day in cold February 2001 my colleague and friend Tinho Dornella told me the team from Bonaire was coming to his event, Calema. I had been to Calema twice and thought there was no better way to see the team then to scout them out. I was the co founder and event coordinator of King of the Cape with my then colleague Marc Lefebvre and we wanted them at our event for June. We flew down early March and met the team. Tonky Frans has a face full of piercings and a killer smile. He had red hair too. It was electric. He later told me Andy Brandt tutored him to stand out and that’s how the red hair came to be. Me, I don’t think he needed the red hair. He stood out, that’s for sure. Little Kiri Thode stood on the shore shivering in the March air. Chris Bernabella was there as laughing with his friends. He told me he loved Florida but did not love the cold. I asked around who was in charge. I then met Byron Tromp. Byron and I spoke and agreed they would try to come to King of the Cape, a PWA sanctioned event. They worked hard at their end finding sponsorship through many sources including Air Jamaica. Back on Cape, Marc Lefebvre and Nevin Sayre (Fiberspar) connected and agreed to sponsor the team any way we could. Nevin and his wife Stina took in a crowd. I had a group at my house. The rest is their history. They dominated the event blowing away the pros in attendance. I recall Martin van Geehoven being astounded with Taty Fran’s flat water loop that sealed the deal for his win. Brian Talma was in attendance meeting little Kiri Thode who we called the “mini Irieman”. That was the start of a very special friendship; Kiri barely spoke English back then. The team went back to Bonaire but Ro Mayer and Tonky went on to the Gorge. Tonky dominated the Gorge Games and Ro was a force to be reckoned on the water. My daughter I traveled West to join them and witness windsurf history. Windwing saw something in the guys and sponsored them. Bill Morrisey from Dakine also took on the team as riders. Nevin hooked the guys up with Fiberspar gear and AHD boards. After Cape Cod, the Gorge was the second part of the world to catch a glimpse at their brilliance. This was just the beginning..it all exploded that year, 2001 but it started wayyyy before that.
World reknowned producer Peter Robertson and his colleagues, Daphne Schmon and Robert McCormick are documenting Bonaire’s windsurf history.Take a glimpse at their story as shown in the trailor in “Children of the Wind”. This soon to be released production will warm your hearts, expose you to a culture and introduce you to young people who have a passion that breaks through all barriers.
http://www.childrenofthewindmovie.com/index.htm
Photo Courtesy of Children of the Wind
Please note the trailer is not part of the actual production by Peter Robertson. It is short promotional preview that was shot by Robert McCormick and Daphne Schmon. Production continues on island in May. Join Children of the Wind on Facebook and Twitter. This is such an important documentary on so many levels. This is a tribute to a village and community who believed and the kids who dared to dream…
Andy Brandt Getting Down to Business at the Kids Camp
Press Release
Bonaire: Andy Brandt sent a message to the members of ABKBoardSports/Facebook.
“I am excited to announce new Sponsors for the 2010 tour. We are going to have the latest boards from RRD and Fanatic, and Sails and rigs from Maui Sails and RRD Sails to try at the US abk camps. I have been sailing some of the new gear and loving it and I know you will too. See you on the water!” Andy Brandt
Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations is an official sponsor of the 2010 tour. Contact 800-219-0118 or ann@bonairecaribbean.com to reserve your clinic spot. Windsurf packages, vehicle, accommodations and free concierges services available.
Andy Brandt, the windsurf guru of learn -to- windsurf camps is coming back to Bonaire with his windsurf posse of instructors for the 2009/10 season. Andy, Brendon, Derek and Caesar offer incredible instruction in all facets windsurfing. Beginners start off under their watchful eye, learning the basics. Intermediates come to hone their skills and take it to the next level. Advance sailors learn freestyle tricks, planing and aerial moves and more. Winter camps are oriented for adults and teens but kids lessons as well as summer kids camps are available. Each year, ABK Alumni return to Bonaire. The winds are on shore, the conditions forgiving and predictable and the water is gin clear see to the bottom wow. Andy is well known in the windsurf world as one of the foremost instructors in the sport.
Another Great Kids Camp
Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations is proud to be a sponsor of the 2010 tour. Call 800-219-0118 to book your clinic. Group packages apply. Caribbean Wind & Sun is the only Bonaire based windsurf specialty travel agency on island so call now. Accommodations start at 60.00 USD a night and up. Ann, the owner offers nanny service, tours for your half day on Wed. as well as free Concierge for all of her clients. You can book your clinic and package by calling 800-219-0118. Canadian clients email ann@bonairewindsurfing.com or call 508 737 5245.
ABK hosts a special medical conference clinic each March. This is open to physicians who want to attend a conference for CEU’s and participate in a clinic. A few slots are available for the March clinic so call Ann today.
Andy Brant’s world famous ABK Windsurf Clinics are in full gear. His first 2009 freestyle clinic just ended. There is limited space is available for the February and March Bonaire clinics. His clinics are multi level and truly the way to go if you want to hone your skills or take it to the next level.
Windsurf maniacs take note, new 2009 gear just arrived at Jibe City. DJ the owner ordered 26 boards including 13 Rockets, 1 Freestyle, 1 Manta and 6 Cool Rider Beginner Boards. HE has 109 new Gaastra Sails as well. Check out the surf shop for very hip surf duds.
Bonaire Windsurf Place continues to stock Starboards, an island favorite and Hot Sails. When the wind is light enjoy a clear kayak to explore the mangroves.
