July 29 to August 5, 2005 Volume 12, Issue 29 - The Bonaire Reporter

T
he premier Diva Women's
Windsurf Week was wonderful.
Twelve women traveling from as far
away as Finland experienced a “women
only” learn-to-windsurf week. Three
local women, Natalie Wanga, Carlendy
Agudelo and an aspiring teenager, 13year-old
Nicola Diamondalas, were
part of the class.
The clinic was taught by Floridian
Beth Powell Winkler, an
annual visitor to the island who
simply loves spending time getting
folks up sailing. A windsurfer
for over 20 years, Beth
and her husband, Greg
Winkler have found Bonaire a
windsurf paradise. They leave
their windsurf business in the
Banana River of Florida and
spend two windy weeks in Bonaire.
This year, Beth took three
days out of her vacation schedule
to teach this driven and motivated
group of students. For
all it was a great success.
Carlendy, a children’s afterschool
program manager, has
sailed before but wanted to take
it to the next level. By the end
Page 8
YACHTING AND WATERSPORTS PAGE
The first class for Windsurfing Divas
of the course, she was in a harness, flying
across the water on her rented gear.
The smile on her face was telling as to
her personal satisfaction.
Natalie, a self-employed woman of
many talents (including Bonaire Reporter
correspondent) took time
off her busy schedule to become a Diva
Windsurfer. Natalie was determined
to learn the basics and
spent lots of time on the water
practicing the maneuvers
learned on the land stimulator
set up by the Bonaire Windsurf
Place.
Nicola took it to another level.
Watching her friend sail she
wanted to learn this challenging
sport. Instead of hanging out all
day on her vacation, she has
been working at her family's
business to save money to buy
a board. When she read about
the clinic in The Bonaire Reporter,
she immediately contacted
the organizer for a slot.
This bright eyed, gregarious
teen was on the beach ready to
learn. By the end of the clinic
she had donned a borrowed
harness, advancing quickly, and
become a new member
of Bonaire’s youthful
windsurf elite.
Both locals and visitors
alike shared the
same sentiment that it
was very empowering
to learn in a small
group of women. By
day they were on the
water learning the basics
and advancing in
their own skill level.
At lunch they sat in
the shade talking strategy,
gear and form. At
night they dined at
local restaurants
laughing and sharing
stories well into the
night.
The next Diva
Women's Week will
be in the winter of
2006. For more details
email
ann@bonairewindsurfing.
com.
Our thanks to. . .
Instructor Beth Powell Winkler gives pointers to
Carlendy Agudelo
Story and photos by Ann Phelan (www.bonairecaribbean.com)
Diva Women's Week was sponsored by Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations,
The Bonaire Windsurf Place, Starboard, Hot Sails Maui, Budget, Kontiki Resort
and Croccantino Restaurant.
Bonaire Reporter - July 29 to August 5, 2005