Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The largest kitesurfing competition in the region will begin in Riviera Nayarit on May 20, 2011. Approximately 150 competitors will attend the event, which has caught the eye of HBO TV network, who will cover the event on their Destino Deporte show.

HBO's cameras will focus on the 150 kites that will take off from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle to participate in the speed regatta that will assemble the best kitesurfers in the world during the Wind Festival 2011, on May 20 to 22 in Riviera Nayarit.

The most influential network in terms of purchase decisions worldwide, HBO approached event organizers with the idea of creating a 30-minute episode for their Destino Deporte program, which will focus on the competition and on this sport that is increasingly growing in both followers and popularity.

The Wind Festival 2011 will assemble around 150 kitesurfers from Mexico, the United States and Canada, including the world champion Sean Farley from Colima, and Diego Tron, who won this competition last year.

The main event will take place on Saturday 21 at noon, when competitors will meet on the starting line at noon at Marina Riviera Nayarit in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle for the speed competition of both the kitesurf and windsurf categories. The finish line will be close to the beaches in Bucerias, and the freestyle qualifiers will follow this event.

On Sunday, May 22, there'll be a distance race between Bucerias-La Cruz-Bucerias, and the freestyle finals and awards ceremony will take place at around 6 pm.

"Watching all the kites go out at the same time offers a very bright and colorful show during the race, and watching the stunts made by the freestyle competitors is simply amazing - an experience not to be missed," said the organizers.

The Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) of Riviera Nayarit celebrates the organization of these competitions in our destination, as they contribute to attract high-quality tourism that has a low environmental impact to our destination. High endurance sports are a key niche to achieve this goal, as they deal with people who are strongly focused on achieving goals, and who also have purchasing power and a well developed environmental culture.

Proof of this is the coverage made by HBO through Destino Deporte, a sports news show that covers the less explored territories of sports. The program produces one show per month that is broadcast on Sundays at 8 pm, and then through reruns during the next 30 days. Destino Deporte is broadcast through HBO to 31 countries in Latin America and also in the United States.

Program:

Friday, May 20
7-8 pm - Competitor registration and welcome cocktail, Bucerías

Saturday, May 21
10:30 am - Captains' briefing and flag salutation, Marina Riviera Nayarit at La Cruz de Huanacaxtle

12 Noon - Downwind race for both windsurf and kitesurf categories, Riviera Nayarit at La Cruz de Huanacaxtle

2 pm - Freestyle kitesurf heats, Bucerías, Decameron Hotel beach

Sunday, May 22
12:30 pm - Captains' briefing
1 pm - Kitesurf freestyle finals
1:30 pm - Long distance race, Bucerias-La Cruz-Bucerias
6 pm - Awards ceremony