WINDSURFING IN JERICOACOARA EDVAN SOUZA, “THE PRODIGY OF THE LOCAL WIND”. FROM JERI TO THE WORLD. geographical location and its “clean” and constant winds that blow eight months long, and in certain years, wind conditions can be very good for up to ten months. Foto: Arquivo Jeri250 With winds that can reach over 35 knots (64.82km/h), <strong>Jericoacoara</strong> is one of the most popular windsurfing destinations in the world. And when we talk about windsurfing, we cannot forget José Edvan de Souza Pedro. Born in the neighboring Camocim and based in <strong>Jericoacoara</strong>, the “Wave flyer” (nickname he got because of the height he achieves when performing his aerial manoeuvers). The greatest local windsurfing competitor, Edvan Souza, holds important titles for the Brazilian windsurfing. He is nine-time Brazilian Freestyle champion, champion of the South American Freestyle Contest, champion of the International Freestyle Contest, champion of the World Freestyle Contest, second place in the European Freestyle Contest, and he was ranked 13th in World CUP, among other titles in the wave, slalom, and formula category. Edvan took up the sport very early, and his success is a mix of talent, a lot of dedication, focus, and opportunities. Destiny also favored him, because, besides getting a sponsor, which is essential, he also met his wife, Aurora, an Italian sailor. Together, they opened the windsurfing school Jeri250, where they give classes with new equipment and the necessary safety. They also give one-to-one classes of other water sports like surfing, longboarding, and Stand up Paddling at Praia Principal (Main <strong>Beach</strong>) in Jeri. WINDSURFING IN JERICOACOARA In <strong>Jericoacoara</strong>, the sport gained strength in the mid- 90s with the establishment of windsurfing clubs and schools, and the emergence of a new generation of athletes, who took advantage of the exceptional WHERE GO WINDSURFING The access to the peak is relatively easy through Praia Principal, and there are several sailing spots, at Praia Principal, where most of the windsurfing events are held. At Praia da Malhada, to the east of the cove, sailing conditions are also good. (On good surfing days, surfers take priority). Wind blows stronger from about 9 a.m. until sunset. Other spots to be explored are the Barra do Rio Guriú, on the west side, at the edge of the APA – Environmental Protection Area, about 10km from the village. At Lagoa do Paraíso and Lagoa Azul, Free Style is the great sensation. The neighboring Vila do Preá, in the far east, or Tatajuba, in far west, are also very attractive options for sailing. A BIT MORE ABOUT WINDSURFING With a board and a sail, Newman and Naomi Darby conceived the first sailboard prototype in the 1960’s, in Portugal. However, the design board never gained popularity, and he did not patent his design. Years later, in 1965, in California, Hoyle Schweitzer (a surfer and entrepreneur) and Jim Drake (sailor and aeronautics engineer) joined the characteristics of surfing with sailing and, in 1970, took out the first patent on the equipment, and named it windsurfing. It was so successful that in 1984, just fourteen years later, windsurfing was recognized as an Olympic sport. In the same year, in Brazil, the first representative of the category had a seat in the Council of the Brazilian Sailing Federation – CBVM, and with the establishment of the Brazilian Sailing Board Association (ABPV), which today is called the Brazilian Windsurfing Association – ABWS. Fernando Germano, of the São Paulo Country Club, brought the first windsurfing equipment, and Klaus Peters and Marcelo Aflalo were pioneers in the sport. 104 | <strong>Jericoacoara</strong>. O paraíso é aqui
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