FORSA Bonaire PWA World Cup

Bonaire Ready to Welcome Back World's Best Freestylers in April & Raise the Curtain on 2019 PWA World Tour

After a 5 year absence the PWA are delighted to announce that the World’s best freestylers - both male and female - will be returning to the pristine waters of Bonaire between 9th-13th April for the opening Freestyle battle of the year - FORSA PWA World Cup - which promises to be an extremely explosive affair. 

Bonaire has risen to global fame as one of the best windsurfing spots in the world thanks to it’s reliable trade winds, stunning turquoise waters and of course its laid back Caribbean vibe, while home grown talents such as the legendary Frans Brother’s, former world champion - Kiri Thode (Severne / Severne) - Youp Schmit (I-99 / Avanti) and current world title hopeful - Amado Vrieswijk (JP / Severne) - are just some examples of the world class talent that Bonaire has produced.

Event Organiser Nancy Vrieswijk-Janssen: “With hard work wishes do come true!!

After almost 3 years of  lobbying to get the PWA-scene back to Bonaire I'm thankful I got in touch with Mick Schmit in October 2017. Due to his awesome cooperation and input , the Forsa Foundation and our super motivated committee we can welcome the PWA-crew and international top-riders back to our island this April. 

Bonaire's license-plates may feature the slogan "diver's paradise, but for sure it is a "windsurfers-paradise" as well. Sorobon and Lac Bay are a mecca for windsurfing and is one of the most picturesque places in the Caribbean as it offers the best recipe of wind, water and weather.  The reason why windsurfers worldwide are so attracted to this special place and the breeding ground of our many Bonairian windsurf-talents. 

The FORSA PWA World Cup Freestyle will be an awesome event as our main goal is to involve our youth. Our pro-riders are role models for many youngsters on Bonaire, and to have the entire PWA pro-fleet in action will for sure have a massive positive impact. How these pros or sports in general can have an impact in the lives of these young people will be explained by Mick, chairman of the FORSA PWA-committee and  developer of the FORSA method .

"Mick Schmit: Forsa is a group-oriented educational method that is used for young people with behavioural problems. This method is also applied outside the youth care. We do this by organising activities with other organisations or companies in which the element "we" is the focus-point.  We emphasise what can be achieved, cooperate, trust and give responsibility. To ensure that everyone feels part of the whole." 

In addition to the first PWA event of the 2019 season and youth, emphasis is placed on the environment as Bonaire is a Marine Parc. Therefore we urge all visitors to keep our sea and beaches clean. During day time the freestyle-action and activities for primary school kids are at  Sorobon and the evening entertainment will take place in Kralendijk at Islander so everybody has easy access to enjoy the competition and festivities. If you're not on Bonaire... no problem… we will have livestream broadcasting with Ben Proffitt (Simmer) behind the mic to entertain you wherever you are.

Last, but not at all the least, it is of great importance to mention the fantastic support we have received by the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports which aims to promote the sport and movement on the island among the youth along with all other local sponsors . We are proud to show the world that with joined forces our island can accomplish a big event such as the FORSA PWA World Cup Freestyle within our relatively small community. 

On behalf of all our committee-members Mick Schmit, Peter Paulussen, Lienne Domacasse, Monique van Gurp and Petra Etmon and myself BON BINI to Bonaire from April 9th - 13th!”

Reaction from some of the top home talents: 

Amado Vrieswijk (JP / Severne) - World No.3 in 2018: “One word AWESOME !! So great to have an event back here on my home spot on Bonaire. I travelled a lot in the past years and could sail in many different places. Sorobon still is my favourite. I know the organisation is working very hard to make this an event to remember and excited to have all riders here on the island very soon. To all, don't miss anything...there will be live streaming.”

Taty Frans (Point-7): “It’s amazing that the organisers/Forsa have pulled this off and it felt like forever but here we are with another PWA Freestyle World Cup on Bonaire and to start the season at home is wonderful. Forsa made it possible and this will give the locals a good chance for good results, Kiri [Thode] is back and Bjorn Saragoza would most probably also be competing so it will be a good battle for the podium.

The wind has been good lately and April could provide perfect 4.8m conditions with the competition taking place at Sorobon on the flat water in Lac Bay, the level will be high and this could be a PWA  World Cup not to miss. See you all on Bonaire April 9-13.”

Tonky Frans: “After 5 years I am happy to say that we will have the PWA back in Bonaire one of the most famous freestyle places in the world, this time it will be interesting to see who will take this victory of the event because of the extremely high level of freestyle, which is only getting higher and higher and as we all know Bonaire is a very good place to practice freestyle. Most of the riders already sail on this spot and for some it will be their first time! 9th April we will start with our first day of the event...let's give a round of applause for everyone who have put a hand to make the king of the Caribbean possible!”

The 2019 FORSA Bonaire PWA World Cup is now little over a month away… make sure you stay tuned to www.pwaworldtour.com between the 9th-13th April - here you’ll be able to stay up to date with all the latest developments from Bonaire — including elimination ladders, entry list, images, live ticker and of course the live stream, so even if you aren’t fortunate enough to be in Bonaire you’ll still be able to watch all of the explosive action as it happens and it promises to be a show you don't want to miss!

You can see the event promo video 'We Present' @ https://youtu.be/iP9qxKQ4aMQ to whet your appetite for the event.

Photo credit : Casper Bouman