Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Kitesurfers from all over Mexico - and the world! - are preparing to hit the beaches of the Riviera Nayarit for three days of spectacular kitesurfing during the 2018 Festival del Viento (Wind Festival). This year's event will be held May 18-20 at Maritima Nuevo Vallarta in Flamingos, Nayarit.

With kitesurfers from ages 10 to 40 competing in four categories, this international kitesurfing competition is considered the most important stop on this leg of the National Tour held by the Mexican Kitesurf Association, and this year's event is expected to bring approximately 300 national and international competitors for a weekend of intense activity on the waters between Bucerías and La Cruz de Huanacaxtle.

Kitesurfing is a dynamic, young, athletic, and appealing sport. Riders mount a surfboard that is powered by a kite, a combination that allows athletes to attain high speeds on the water and make spectacular leaps.

Offering favorable wind and surf conditions, three world-class marinas, technicians ready to take care of the specialized equipment this sport demands, first-class hotels and touristic services, and amazing natural settings, Riviera Nayarit is quickly becoming the preferred destination for lovers of this extreme sport.

The 2018 competitions include Freestyle Pro, Open Freestyle, Downwind (a race for all categories), Big Air (where the prize goes to the highest leap), and Slalom and Long Distance course races, and the public is invited to watch the events from the beach - free of charge.

Watching all the kites go out at the same time offers a very bright and colorful show during the race, and watching the freestyle competitors' stunts is simply amazing - making this an experience not to be missed!