5th Annual Punta Sayulita Classic to Benefit Local Reef Check Program

The Punta Sayulita resort community and presenting sponsor, The Riviera Nayarit Tourism Board, are pleased to announce the 5th Annual Punta Sayulita Classic to be held on March 7 – 9, 2014, in the beautiful surfside village of Sayulita, Mexico, 40 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta.

Now in its 5th year, the Punta Sayulita Classic is regarded as one of the premier international surfing and stand-up paddle (SUP) events in North America, attracting thousands of spectators and one of the deepest international fields of professional athletes and amateurs competing in longboard and stand-up paddle surfing contests as well as in an array of exciting offshore SUP distance races.

Unique to the Punta Sayulita Classic event is that unlike other international competitions, competitors are not competing for prize money, which is typically the primary draw for international events. The primary consideration is raising awareness for environmental protection and respect for the world’s oceans and wildlife as well as to raise funds for the Reef Check Foundation’s local EcoDiver program and the Punta Sayulita Foundation’s children’s educational and sports development programs.

According to Punta Sayulita Classic Event Director, Kevin Roberts, “the previous Punta Sayulita Classics were a great example of an event that was predicated on the good old vibe in surfing known as the ‘aloha spirit’ and with the fantastic support and generosity of the surfing community and the sponsors who share the love for the ocean and our environment, the 5th Annual Punta Sayulita Classic is on track again to be a meaningful fundraising vehicle to support the important environmental and community programs established by the Reef Check and Punta Sayulita Foundations.”

This year’s field is filled with some of the biggest names in the sport of longboard and SUP surfing and racing including defending champions Zane Schweitzer, Tony Silvagni, Fernando Stalla, Ryan Helm, Vanina Walsh and Chloe Calmon as well as past champions Connor Baxter, Sean Poynter, Mary Osborne, Emmy Merrill, Patricio Gonzalez and proven champions Georges Cronsteadt, Lina Augaitis, Oliver Parker, Trae Candy, Georgio & Izzy Gomez and many more top pros. According to Kevin Roberts, “We are so pleased to have another top-notch field of competitors at the Punta Sayulita Classic. Every year the field grows with talent and we are so appreciative of the pros carving out time from their competition schedules to come compete in the event and help raise awareness and money for the Reef Check and Punta Sayulita Foundations.”

In addition to the surfing and SUP race competitions held over the weekend, on Friday, March 7th, the “Foundation Friday” festivities kick off with a surfing clinic for special needs and underprivileged children being organized by the Sayulita Surf Club. Moreover, in conjunction with honorary ambassador, James Pribram of the Eco Warrior Foundation, a community-wide beach cleanup event is scheduled followed by an interactive environmental educational program. On Saturday March 8th, the Punta Sayulita Foundation will be hosting a children’s art camp with local artist Treva Dea of Sayulita Art Camps. Later that evening, Brushfire Records recording artist G. Love & Special Sauce will be performing a free beachfront benefit concert.

For more information on the Punta Sayulita Classic, please visit puntasayulitasurfclassic.com