Kiteboarders and wing foilers from around the world will blow into Islamorada for the Wind Games, set for Friday-Sunday, Feb. 9-11 on the Atlantic Ocean beach at Whale Harbor, MM 83.4.
Presented by Otherside Boardsports, the event includes five games that are expected to attract professional-level athletes as well as recreational enthusiasts. All games are scored using a cumulative point system.
The fun begins Friday, Feb. 9, from 3 to 10 p.m., with rider check-in and the “rail jam,” an open riding session during which participants encounter obstacles like ramps and rails. The Sandbar at Whale Harbor serves as the site of a welcome party for participants and spectators with live music, food and drink specials, and a prime view of the warmup action from its rooftop deck.
Saturday, Feb. 10, games take place from 9 a.m. until sunset, with a 7 p.m. after-party at Ocean View Inn & Sports Pub, MM 84.5 in Islamorada. On Sunday, Feb. 11, the games begin at 9 a.m. An awards ceremony is slated for 5 p.m. on the beach.
The schedule of game activities each day will be determined closer to the event based on weather conditions. The games require at least 12 knots of wind to proceed. The “rain dates,” which are actually “no wind dates,” are Feb. 16-18.
Game 1 in the series is a 12-mile round-trip race around Alligator Reef Lighthouse. Racers can choose from the categories of kiteboard, kite foil or wing foil. All registration dollars from the race support the Save Alligator Light nonprofit organization working on the lighthouse’s preservation and restoration.
Game 2 is the freestyle competition where top athletes show off their skills. Big air and technical tricks will be scored by a panel of judges in the categories of professional, amateur, women, youth and masters.
During Game 3, the poker run, riders are provided waterproof score cards. They must maneuver to boats positioned offshore until they have collected a five-card, luck-of-the-draw poker hand. The best hand wins.
Game 4 is a team relay. Teams of four kiteboarders race around the course one at a time, with the kite and kiteboard serving as the baton that’s passed from one rider to another. Fans typically line the beach to cheer for their favorite teams during the competition.
Game 5 is the “floatie fail.” Teams of two have a single kite and swap out their kiteboards for an oversized inflatable bird float in the just-for-fun downwind race. Floats include giant flamingos, swans, ducks and more. The first team through the finish line wins.
Registration for the games opened Jan. 9.
