The 2017 Cabarete Classic will be held from the 27 – 30th of July. Organizers tell us “This event is designed to bring sailors from all over the world and locals to race together, but mainly it is to push the local kids into the healthy sport of windsurfing. Many of the local kids in Cabarete found their way into a good life through windsurfing and we love to push their enthusiasm. The Cabarete Classic is a three-day long event, and offers racing and freestyle categories for competitors of all ages and abilities. This year there will be some exciting changes in the schedule. For the first time, kitesurfing and paddleboarding will be included so more people will have the opportunity to be part of this great event. Categories will be divided into mini juniors 6-12, juniors 12-16, open class, sports class and women.
There will be slalom races for windsurfers, kitesurfers and paddleboarders, freestyle competitions and a long distance race between kiters and windsurfers.
The Cabarete Classic is the most important windsurfing competition in the Dominican Republic, and one of Cabarete’s largest annual gatherings. For the past 11 years, the event has had over 100 competitors,more than half of which come from outside the country. This year’s participating countries include the Caribbean islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao, also the United States, Canada, England, France, Germany and Switzerland.
Event Overview
- The Cabarete Classic incorporates Pablito Guzman’s Water Sports Team. The Team is comprised of underprivileged youth from the local elementary schools. Mini Juniors do not pay inscription and there are special rates for juniors in order to push the local kids.
- The event raises funds each year to keep the sport alive in children and youth of limited resources in the area.
- The event has the backing and support of the Dominican Sailing Federation, The Windsurfing Association, and under the organization of Pablito Guzman who collaborate to create a very competitive event and many successes.
While the Cabarete Classic is primarily a windsurfing competition, event festivities will not end at sundown. Each night programming will continue with special dinners, concerts, and other gatherings for racers, fans, and their families, as well as members of the press, and general public.
A Brief History – The Cabarete Classic was first held in 2006 to keep the spirit of windsurfing alive in Cabarete and to reunite friends from all over the globe to enjoy the winds of Cabarete together. Over the past 11 years, the Cabarete Classic welcomed world top sailors as Kevin Pritchard or Diony Guadagnino. Pablito Guzman is the force behind the Cabarete Classic, founding the event and bringing it to life. He is a Cabarete native and has competed in contests all over the globe for the past twenty years. He has several national titles to his credit and his windsurfing talents have been showcased in several magazine and newspaper articles. Pablito Guzman is dedicated to improve the community by helping underprivileged children to be able to learn and participate in the great sport of windsurfing. Come and be part of this incredible event.”