2012 Florida Week Feb 25 – March 4

Wow … it’s already getting close to that time of year.  Yes the time of year to make time to plan travel arrangements for a few get-a-way windsurfing days to the sunshine state.   Assuming things are as in the past it should be possible to fly down and charter a KONA for both of these events.   You’ll need to contact the people at Sandy Point Progressive Sports to reserve a KONA.    To get there you could possibly use Allegiant Air which has  flights to St. Pete and then catch Allegiant back again using their Orlando/Sanford location.  One way prices are around $110.

The Island Style Classic / Senior Masters  is posted to be ran Feb 25-26, 2012 in Sarasota Florida.  Hosted at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron club facilities with windsurf rigging and  launching at the adjoining Ken Thompson city park.     This is racing on inter-coastal waters so there is no ocean shore-break to contend with.   The water depth in the much of the usual course area is just a few feet so waves don’t come into play either.   

The Calmea 2012 Mid-Winters is set for  Thursday March 1st through Sunday March 4th.  Thursday is late registration and required check-in day, usually with a huge welcome party and skippers meeting held early evening.     If you have not been there in the past know that Kelly Park where the Calema shop is located is a nice safe site to windsurf from and has rental gear.   Again this is inter-coastal windsurfing so no ocean swells or shore break to contend with.   The March weather can vary greatly from 88 to 58.  I have found that wearing a light wetsuit is good to protect snow white skin from the Florida spring sun.   However surely bring your shorts because if you hit a few warm 82 degree days in a row you’ll need them.

In past years the Banana River Windsurfing resort has hosted a clinic during the break between the two above mentioned races.  BRW also offers some accommodations but you’ll need to check in with them well in advance.   There are plenty of hotels in the area but it’s wise to shop around beforehand to find something that matches your budget.