The 3rd Annual Punta Sayulita Longboard & Stand-Up Paddle Classic has been scheduled for March 9 – 11, 2012 in the beautiful surfside village of Sayulita, Mexico, 40 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta along Mexico’s tropical Pacific coastline known as the “Riviera Nayarit.”

Over the past two years, the Punta Sayulita Classic has developed into one of the premier surfing and stand-up paddle events in North America, attracting thousands of spectators and one of the deepest international fields of professional athletes as well as talented amateurs competing head-to-head in longboard and stand-up paddle (“SUP”) surfing contests. With the generous support of the event’s sponsors, the invitee ambassadors and professional athletes, the event has successfully raised awareness for environmental protection and respect of the world’s oceans and wildlife as well as financially supported the local chapter of the Reef Check EcoDiver Program and the Punta Sayulita Foundation’s educational and youth development programs.

“In addition to the return of last year’s defending surf contest champions Sean Poynter of San Diego, CA (SUP), Darren Eudaly of Laguna Beach, CA (longboard), Mary Osborne of Ventura, CA (longboard) as well as SUP distance and Elite Race champions Slater Trout of Maui, HI and the #1 ranked female paddler in the world, Candice Appleby of Oahu, HI, the 3rd Annual Punta Sayulita Classic has received early commitments from many of the top international longboard and SUP professionals including last year’s 3rd place finisher and extreme waterman, Garrett McNamara, who recently rode a world record breaking 90 foot wave, the #1 ranked SUP surfing star Kai Lenny of Maui, HI, past longboard world champions Collin McPhillips and Kai Sallas, past SUP Classic distance race champion Chuck Patterson and many more,” reported Kevin Roberts, a Principal with Punta Sayulita. Roberts adds, “By far, this will be the deepest and most talented field at the Punta Sayulita Classic and will be a phenomenal showcase of talent for the spectators to enjoy.”

In a fantastic effort to spread the “aloha spirit” of the Punta Sayulita Classic, event sponsor Maui Jim Sunglasses will be well represented again with their team ambassadors led by surfing legend Gerry Lopez, SUP star Zane Schweitzer and Matt Becker as well as the talented and renowned Hawaiian waterman father/son combination of Aaron and Riggs Napoleon.

In addition to the action packed weekend of surf competitions and SUP races on the water, the festivities on land continue with this year’s benefit concert featuring reggae recording legend, Pato Banton. The free concert will take place on Saturday night, March 10th. “We are very fortunate to have the support of a musician of Pato’s caliber to allocate time from his schedule to play the benefit concert for the event. When Pato learned about the event and how the event raised money for the Reef Check and Punta Sayulita Foundation programs, he was very gracious and eager to support the event and we are very thankful for his generous support,” remarked Roberts.

The 3rd Annual Punta Sayulita Classic will again feature a surfing clinic for special needs and underprivileged children under the supervision of renowned Malibu, CA longboard surfer, Jimmy Gamboa, and members of his TheraSURF Foundation along with other participating Punta Sayulita Classic professionals and instructors from local Sayulita surf schools.

With the addition of Alaska Airlines as the official airlines of the 3rd Annual Punta Sayulita Classic, travelling to Sayulita to compete in the surf contests or SUP races or to simply take part in the weekend festivities will be easy. For many years, Alaska Airlines has been one of the most active airlines flying to Mexico and offers nonstop flights to Puerto Vallarta from numerous west coast cities including San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. More importantly, Alaska Airlines has generously authorized a 7% discount on airfare for those travelling to compete or wishing to attend the Punta Sayulita Classic. Mention discount code ECMG443 when booking flight reservations. Alaska Airlines is also expanding their surfboard length dimensions so competitors can travel with a SUP stock race board up to 12’6” in length. cpr recertification

Proceeds raised will be donated to the Reef Check and Punta Sayulita Foundations. According to Roberts, “The 3rd Annual Punta Sayulita Classic is expecting to outperform the fundraising from last year which, at the end of the day, is a significant financial contribution to support the important environmental and community programs established by the Reef Check and Punta Sayulita Foundations.”

Please visit www.puntasayulitasurfclassic.com for more information.