Whitecap Windsurfing in cahoots with the ABC is doing a Midwinters trip March 2nd to 7th. Twenty-three windsurfers went in our group in '03. We'll do it in similar fashion this time: a fleet of rooms at the host hotel, on or near the beach, for accommodations. You can come and go any # of nights that suits you between March 2 - 6th as long as you tell me ahead of time. You need not stay with us if you want to camp or get accommodations elsewhere, but can still be attached to the Whitecap group for any VIP treatment I can wrangle out of the hosts, such as, reserved tables for our group at the Saturday banquet (which turned out to be a big perk last year.)
The Cocoa Beach area of Florida is a great destination for a windsurfing trip even if one of the largest windsurfing events in the US was not being held there. If there's wind, you can watch -- or participate -- in World Class racing side-by-side with the big honchos like the Pritchard brothers and watch professional-level freestyle that will blow your mind...or just sail yourself, right there at the event site -- that's what we've always done. It's a free-fowing, casual windsurfing festival like none other on the planet. Whitecap sets up a home base in the middle of it and we have some serious FUN.
As the Calema website says: "The Midwinters Festival will continue its tradition of bringing together World Cup Pros, entry level sailors and all other levels of competitor. We will have classes for all skill levels and type of equipment - A Fleet / Sport Fleet / Workshop Fleet (learn to race) // Learn to Windsurf Fleet // and many youth, junior and kids classes to choose from. Whether you like racing a long or a short board, we have a class for you." (Three evening parties this year for registrants, too.) See details at http://www.calema.com/MWregistration2004.html
BUT, if there's no wind, hey, dont' be 
, be 
. You're 45 minutes from all the Orlando theme parks, you're on top of the Space Coast attractions, and Cocoa Beach is one of the east coast's top surf breaks. (I don't do windsurfing trips without great no-wind alternatives.) Some of us will definitely be continuing our surf quest -- 2 or 3 of our group rode our first waves here last year.
You should register formally for the event, either as a participant in one of the race classes -- - from first timers to championship qualifiers -- or as a non-participant. Only official registrants get into the evening parties and banquet, lunches, T-shirt, etc.
Let me know if you're interested.
Chuck Hardin
Whitecap Windsurfing, Inc.
706-860-0639
Cell: 706-833-WIND (9463)
Chuck Hardin
Whitecap Windsurfing, Inc.
c:706-833-WIND (9463)
For those of you that have camped in that area -- are there any good campgrounds in the area? If you have any suggestions, let me know.
Jetty Park Campground is where we normally stay. It's close to the event and is a nice campground. They mainly have alot of RVs and if you're going to camp in anything besides a tent, you may have a hard time getting a reservation. They also reserve tent sites and have an area for tent overflow. Last year a buNch of us reserved tent sites next to each other, it worked out well in spite of Greg Baxendale. Two on a site saves a few bucks if you plan on staying any length of time. I plan on camping there this year but havent decided on the exact dates, but probably I'll stay Wed night thru Sunday night and then maybe go across to Fred Howard park for a few days. I think Jetty Park's phone number is 321-783-7111. My number is 770-967-0104 if anybody wants to try to get a group together.
Gene
of GENE'S CONSIGNMENT SHOP
http://www.expage.com/genesconsignment/
Gene Mathis
Thanks Gene. Elizabeth and I bought a 25 foot travel trailer last month, so no more tent camping for us
. I am pretty sure we are going. Let us know when you have some exact dates. I would imagine the about any campground in FL in early March could fill up, so I would like to go ahead and see if I can get reservations.
What did Greg do this time????????
Drew and Gail will be coming with me this time, Brittany and her boyfriend plan on meeting us in Cocoa Beach.
I'm with, Gene I plan on going over to Fred Howard Park to finish out the week. Wind or no Wind!!!!
Greg B had all the reservations in his name, and then no-showed. It wasnt a big deal, I changed them over, I just like to give Greg a rough time, because he takes it so well, AND he deserves it.
Chris and Elizabeth, you'd better go ahead and make your reservations now, last year, Pip from Boston came down in his motorhome and almost didnt get in.
David W, where's your post on your Aruba trip? How was it?
Gene
Gene Mathis
Thanks again Gene for the phone number. I called today and got (what they told me) was THE LAST rv site -- although they said they often get cancellations. Elizabeth and I will down there Mar 2-7. Hope to see you there.
I was planning on heading to Cocoa beach for windsurfing that week anyway. So I am in! Add me to the list for Fred Howard Park also.
I'm planning to sail at Fred Howard the weekend BEFORE Calema, then driving over for the races. Anyone given that a thought? I don't want to miss out on the mid-winters action/competition, but would love to sail Fred Howard for my first time.