WINDSURFING BY AMADO VRIESWIJK

TRENTINO - ISAF - SLALOM WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - PRESENTED BY JP
Junior, Youth & Masters
ProKids Slalom
7-14 July 2008
Lake Garda, Italy
organised by Circolo Surf Torbole

On the 4th of July we arrived in Torbole. The beautiful village at Lake Garda in Italy. After checking-inn at our beautiful

appartement, I could not wait any longer and rigged my sails and went of for some training. At home I trained a lot but I had

to get used to the wet-suit and the life-jacket which is mandatory here at Lake Garda.

The team of Bonaire consisted out of 11 participants. 3 Masters, 4 Youth and 4 Junior (including me)

At the opening-ceremony we came with the Bonairian flag of course, but on our sails we had to put

the Dutch-Antilles flag.

Team Bonaire at he opening ceremony

On tuesday the 8th of July, the races started. Everyday around 1pm the wind picked up. Unfortunately near the event-site

the wind was not strong enough to race, and the course was far out on the lake. All Junior (under 17 years) started together.

The first 7 finishers went on to the semi-finals. The first day I did not make it, but on the rest of the days I finished

within the first 7 and went on. Sometimes I felt stupid with my 6.0m sail racing against big boys with 9m sails.

Because the course was so far out, I really had to count very good in which heat I advanced, there was no time to go

back to the event-site and look at the score-boards. I really learned a lot, had good starts and at the buyons all went smooth.

This is what my parents could see of the race !!!

All the participants under 17 years !!!!

I met a lot of new friends !!!!

At the award-ceremony. Matia Camboni/ITA188 on 2nd place and Me/NB20 on 1st place under 13 years !!!

In the age group under 15 years, I became 7th !!!

My fanclub/family who all came from The Netherlands to see me sail.

Thanks for coming grandma Helma and Fenny, aunt Marion and Pascale, uncle Paul, Christian and Burt,

my dad's nice Annemieke, her husband Arno and all the kids !!!!

My new friends Connor and Zane from Maui. After the Italy-trip they visited Bonaire to learn

some freestyle. We had a lot of fun on the water, gave a radio-interview and enjoyed the party at

Mrs. Beth Winkler she organised for all the participants who went to Italy.

At the day we came back to Bonaire, the governor Mr. Domacasse invited me to his

official office to recieve his congratulations.

I felt very honoured.

Below you will find some links to other web-pages which report about the above mentioned event.