Since the 1980s, Cabarete, Dominican Republic has been a water sports Mecca, first attracting windsurfers and later kiteboarders from around the world. Amongst these watermen and waterwomen, Cabarete is a household name. If you’ve been, then you understand why. That is, consistent wind, flat water and waves with a spectacular Caribbean backdrop of palm trees and sandy white beaches.
But like many Caribbean nations, the Dominican Republic suffers from poverty. In fact, according to the 2009 Human Development Report, 15% of Dominicans live on less than $2 per day. Despite their smiling faces and enthusiasm for kiteboarding, many of those children you see at Kite Beach lack access to proper housing, education and healthcare. For precisely this reason, two kiters joined forces to make a difference.
The Second Annual Kiteboarding 4 Kids Charity Event (KB4K) was held in Cabarete February 11th to the 14th. Inspired by the Kiteboarding for Cancer event that takes place each year in Hood River, Oregon, KB4K was organized for the sole purpose of helping the children of the Dominican Republic. Volunteers raised $21,257, twice last year’s amount. Beneficiaries included Dominican Crossroads, Kids Alive, DREAM (Dominican Republic Education and Mentoring Project) and a number of other local charities.
Laurel Eastman and Dr. Kee Park are the two co-founders of the event. In 2008, Laurel Eastman, founder of Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding and seven-year resident of Cabarete, received a call from Dr. Park with the idea. Park says, “I signed up as a rider/fundraiser for the Kiteboarding for Cancer event in August 2008 at the Gorge. Had such a blast and for a good cause. I thought why not have a similar event in Cabarete and called Laurel and the rest is history.”
Dr. Park, originally from New Jersey, has been going to Cabarete with his family since 2001, learned to kite there in 2006 and now owns a home there. He spent 14 years as a neurosurgeon in Missouri before leaving his practice to volunteer in third world countries. He is, at this moment, in Ethiopia.
When asked why she got involved, Laurel Eastman explained, “There’s a reason why I’m still in Cabarete after 7 years. The people here are endearing and have such tremendous spirit. But Cabarete and its surrounding areas are poor. Illiteracy is high and the average education level is 5th grade.”
Over eighty kiters and local kids participated in the three day event. Highlights included speed trials on day one, bodysurfing competitions on day two (no wind) and big air contests on day three. Jan Marcos Riveras, the current wave-riding world champion and Cabarete native, was involved everyday coaching, riding and encouraging the many local kids who idolize him. Slingshot, Best, Core Kites, Dakine and many other sponsors gave out prizes including kites, boards and harnesses. One could infer from the many smiling faces, both young and old, both foreign and Dominican, that this event was well received by all.
KB4K 2010 from Alexis Pierret on Vimeo.
Kiteboarders and other outdoor adventure enthusiasts learn never to leave a footprint. That is, to leave the beaches as found, clean of plastic water bottles and trash. “Pack out what you pack in” they say. But for the children of Cabarete, this is one footprint worth leaving behind. With two years under their belt, Laurel and Kee have big plans for next year. Their objective is to bring in some major sponsors to fund an even larger and more successful event in 2011. Congratulations to all of the organizers, volunteers and participants. Just Kite It looks forward to next year’s big event!
Check out www.kb4k.org for more information on next year’s Kiteboarding for Kids.
