“Extravaganza Nautica” in Riviera Nayarit: Celebrating Sailing, Watersports and Beautiful Beaches with World-Class Events

Scheduled for March 1-24 in numerous locations along Riviera Nayarit’s magnificent Pacific Ocean coastline, Extravaganza Nautica kicks off with the 31^st Biennial San Diego to Vallarta Yacht Club, March 1-10. With a spectacular finish off Punta Mita in Banderas Bay, the 1,000 mile yacht race features several classes of boats, including multi-hulls. The 2010 edition sailed in record-setting conditions, with the entire fleet virtually “flying” from southern Baja across the Sea of Cortez to the finish line in Riviera Nayarit.. www.sdy.org.

The major event during the festival is billed as the Regatta Copa Mexico 2012 Edicion Olímpica (Regatta Mexico Cup 2012 Olympic Edition), March 2-19, which includes seven sailing divisions J24, Windsurf, Oceanic Race/MEXORC, Kitesurf, 420, Laser and Optimist. This is referred to as the Olympic Edition because many of the participating athletes are preparing for the London Olympics. A joint effort from the Mexican government and the Mexican Sailing Federation, it is heralded as the most important international sailing event, a competition taking place only every two years. In 2012, events will be hosted at La Cruz de Huanacaxtle’s modern Marina Riviera Nayarit and the Vallarta Yacht Club in Nuevo Vallarta. www.rivieranayarit.com

The Punta Sayulita Longboard & Stand Up Paddle Classic, March 9-11, has developed into one of the premier surfing and stand-up paddle events in North America, attracting thousands of spectators and the top professional athletes from all over the world. The beautiful surfside village of Sayulita, 40 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta along Mexico’s tropical pacific coastline, provides the ideal setting. www.puntasayulitasurfclassic.com

Toward the end of the month the International Bahia de Banderas Regatta, March 20-24, celebrates its 20^th anniversary in 2012 with an anticipated record number of competing coastal and off-shore yachts. Designed to be fun but competitive, the event also features nightly entertainment with live music. Raising funds for a good cause, it is the signature event of the Vallarta Yacht Club. www.bbregatta.com

Between these marquee events, Extravaganza Nautica will excite spectators with other top events. They can enjoy watching kite surfing and windsurfing from a close range vantage point on the beaches in Bucerias. And, beyond the water sports, the festival is timed to coincide with whale watching season, one of the most breath-taking and memorable travel experiences in the world.

“Come for one event or stay for them all, Extravaganza Nautica is a great reason to vacation in Mexico’s most glamorous and exciting playground at the perfect time of year,” said Marc Murphy, Managing Director of the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau.

About Riviera Nayarit
Mexico’s newest destination, Riviera Nayarit, stretches along 192 miles of pristine Pacific coast framed by the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains just ten minutes north of accessible Puerto Vallarta International Airport. The region extends along the entire coast of the Pacific state of Nayarit including the resorts of Nuevo Vallarta, the historic colonial town of San Blas, exclusive Punta Mita, picturesque fishing villages, miles of serene beaches and spectacular Banderas Bay. Riviera Nayarit offers countless activities, such as: PGA golf courses, luxury spas, whale watching, turtle release, zip lining, surfing, bird watching, international cuisine, and the local artwork from the traditional Huichol tribe. The region attracts and satisfies vacationers of all tastes and budgets with its wide range of accommodations including chic luxury resorts, eco-tourism boutique hotels and quaint B&B inns. For more information, visit www.RivieraNayarit.com or follow Riviera Nayarit’s Fan Page on Facebook.