May 9, 2008

Local sports marketing firm, Epic Sports & Entertainment LP will transform Corpus Christi McGee Beach and McCaughan Park (adjacent to the Memorial Coliseum)for the 2008 CITGO U.S. Wind & Water Open (USWWO), scheduled to take place Friday, May 9, through Sunday, May 11, along the beautiful Corpus Christi Bayfront.

“The Epic Sports & Entertainment family is proud and excited today to announce the dates for the 2008 U.S. Wind & Water Open, which this year will be free to the public," Jessica Davila-Burnett, President of Epic Sports and Entertainment LP, said. "This family event brings extreme and traditional water sports to local and international fans for Mother's Day weekend."

New to the USWWO this year are two land components: the USWWO 5K Run, the official warm-up run for the 33rd Annual Beach to Bay Relay Marathon, on Saturday, May 10; and the C-101 USWWO Bikini Contest beginning Friday, May 9, and ending on Saturday, May 10. Each contest yields cash prize; the 5K run includes a $1,200 purse for the overall placement and Masters division, and the C-101 Bikini Contest first place winner will receive $500.

Water sport competitions will occur all three days on McGee Beach beginning at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 9, and ending on Sunday, May 11, at 4 p.m. The US Kite boarding Open competition includes a $5,000 purse for course-racing and freestyle.. The Port of Corpus Christi US Windsurfing Regatta features a $2,500 purse for the traditional races of slalom and formula. Competitors are expected from Hawaii, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Germany, and France, as well as from around Texas. This year's roster of competitors includes former Olympic ski jumper and professional kite boarder, Nils Stolzlechner, the general manager of the Corpus Christi Omni Hotels; and Louisiana-based professional windsurfer John Savage. Mike “the knife” Blomvall, an international pro rider from Sweden, flew in fresh from the PKRA Tour in Venezuela to compete at the US Wind & Water Open. Corpus Christi is a stop for Mike and the Nobile Kite boarding Team. Local Dentist and Grand Master Windsurfer, Charles “Doc” Allen, who is also known as the founder of the US Windsurfing Regatta is also set to compete!

This year the US Wind & Water Open will be free to the public, including free parking. Food concessions and drinks will be available for sale, along with other festival vendors.

To kick off this year's event, the USWWO has partnered with the Corpus Christi Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for an opening day ribbon cutting and mixer on Friday, May 9, at McCaughan Park, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Live music, food, guitar hero, moon jumps, Tony Hawk promo,as well as beach activities are scheduled throughout the weekend.