IFCA’s World Funboard Championships since 1985

IFCA’s World Funboard Championships has been organised since 1985. The first one was held in Italy in a very windy spot, near a beautiful town called Riva del Garda. It was raced in the Race and Slalom disciplines and the winner was Anders Bringdal. 

Meanwhile the Championship has crossed several countries: Italy, France, Sweden, USA, Germany, Antillen, Norway, Greece, Egypt, Denmark, South Africa, Australia, Spain, Belgium, returning to Portugal in 2004 in one of the best spots in the planet.


IFCA - Windsurfig World’s Championships

	1985 - Garda - Italy
	1986 - Six Fours - France
	1987 - Skanor - Sweden
	1988 - Fort Lauderdale - USA
	1989 - Damp - Germany
	1990 - Curaçau - Antillen
	1991 - Sola - Norway
	1992 - Rhodos - Greece
	1993 - Safaga - Egypt
	1994 - Ronbjerg - Denmark
	1995 - Langebaan - South Africa
	1996 - Nordeney - Germany
	1997 - Fremantle - Australia
	1998 - Klitmoller - Denmark
	1999 - Ferrol - Spain
	2000 - Guincho - Portugal
	2001 - Languebaan - South Africa
	2002 - Westende - Belgium
	2003 - Hyeres - France
	2004 - Guincho - Portugal

IFCA - Windsurfig World Championships 2004

For the second time in its history, Portugal is going to be the host country of a World Windsurf Championship.

For this Event are only selected the best sailors from the National Championships recognised by IFCA [International Funboard Class Association], so this Event gathers the best sailors in the world. 

FreeWave Performance is one of the most competitive and mediatic disciplines in Funboard. Able to drag crowds all over the world this discipline is similar to surf but it also has manoeuvres executed above the waves.

Wave Performance is a spectacular discipline, not only because of the show given by the discipline itself but also because it transmits to the public all the emotions lived by the competitors.

With an ability to attract the media in a global level, the World Funboard Championship has from the start a strong power of communication, due to the importance of the event. This event gives to the host country and to all the agents involved an added visibility what makes it an excellent way to advertise for brands and products.

Several countries have applied to the organization of this event; however, the Portuguese application has the chosen one due to the excellent organizing ability demonstrated before, the Portuguese host spirit and because of the natural conditions that Portugal has to offer to the practise of this sport all year. 

Meanwhile the Championship has crossed several countries: Italy, France, Sweden, USA, Germany, Antillen, Norway, Greece, Egypt, Denmark, South Africa, Australia, Spain, Belgium, returning to Portugal in 2004 in one of the best spots in the planet: the Guincho…


Guincho - Place and Conditions

Guincho is located in the Estoril Coast and is close to Lisbon, the Portuguese capital. Estoril Coast starts in Carcavelos, 15 kilometres from Lisbon, and stretches as far as the Guincho, striking a harmonious blend between the delights of the land and the enchanting beauty of the sea.

For easy access, we have a motorway, which provides a direct link to Lisbon and its International Airport. In just a few short steps we can define the boundary of one of Europe's most beautiful coastlines, which is a privilege afforded to the living here and to those who come here for a visit and return another day. The whole coast is worthy of our attention, but the fact that two of the towns stand out from the rest makes the region even more appealing. Estoril and Cascais are a must for the visitor.

After the hubbub of town life, take a turn along the coast to the west as far as the sand dunes flanking Guincho Beach - at the foot of the Sintra hills. The air smells of pine trees, freshened by sea breezes.

It is difficult to know what to admire most - the vastness of the green pine woods rivalling the blue of the Atlantic; the flowers peeping up in the fields; the echoing of the sea on the rocks coming from the caverns. Further from Boca do Inferno along the coast is the Guia Lighthouse.

Climbing over the dunes and up to Oitavos, there is a lovely view from a geologic monument. Before you get to the Cabo Raso lighthouse, there are more signposted caverns, where the sea rushes in incessantly. Further on there are more dunes and low growing.

The Estoril Coast line is worth visiting at all the times of the year: in the spring for the greenery - in the summer for the sun-drenched beaches - in the autumn for its mild climate and in winter for the beauty of the restless sea. 

Climate

	Jan - Mar	Apr - Jun	Jul - Sep	Oct - Dec	Annual Average
	Air - Sea	Air - Sea	Air - Sea	Air - Sea	Air - Sea
ºF	54.9 - 55.9	63.5 - 69.4	70.4 - 61.6	59.4 - 59.6	62.1 - 59.0
ºC	12.7 - 13.3	17.4 - 15.2	21.3 - 16.3	15.2 - 15.3	17.7 - 15.0

IWA - International Windsurfing Association
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Hayling Island, Hampshire PO11 9JX, United Kingdom
Phone: + 44 [0] 2392 468831 - Fax: + 44 [0] 2392 468831
E-Mail: info@internationalwindsurfing.com