Kite surfing in Pounda, Source: www.paros.gr

The municipality of Paros island in Greece in its effort to attract windsurfers and sailors from around the world to visit the island and train for the top pre-Olympic events  supported - a few months ago - the RS:X Olympic Windsurfing Class for its 2012 top events, such as the European Championship in Portugal, Madeira and the World Championship in Cadiz, Spain. The 1st one held on March 01, 2012 and the 2nd one on March 20, 2012.

In the heart of the Aegean Sea, Paros is an ideal destination for sailing and water-sports lovers! Every year water sports fans from around the world visit the island for its renowned meltemi summer wind that provides them with the perfect conditions for windsurfing, kite surfing and sailing. This year Paros supported the 2012 RS:X Europeans in Madeira, Portugal in an effort to further promote sports tourism to the island, by becoming the “Official travel destination” of the event, which was the 1st stop of the Fleet Racing Tour, the premier Olympic Sailing Series, managed by Icarus Sailing Media.

The aim of the Municipality of Paros by supporting the European and World championships of Olympic Windsurfing as the official travel destination was to reach out to the top windsurfers globally and invite them to the island for training in view of the 2012 Olympics and beyond. The windsurfers got to know more about the island through a presentation of the island’s infrastructure support for windsurfers, kite surfers and sailors, its wind and its weather patterns. Average winds on the island stay between 12 and 16 knots and average temperature between 12 and 25 degrees Celsius. Moreover, the island of Paros in the Aegean Sea offers many organized surf clubs, harbours and places to enjoy the nice Greek weather.

Here is what top windsurfers had to say about Paros:

“Paros has developed into a premier international windsurfing spot and offers a less expensive alternative to Canary Islands – with more to do when the wind doesn’t blow.” – Paul McMenamin, author of Seven Windsurfing Wonders of the World

“I love the island of Paros! The combined excellent weather conditions for sailing, sheltered beaches and laid back atmosphere of the town never cease to amaze me. Paros has definitely earned a place in my heart.” – Gelly Skarlatou, Member of the Greek Olympic Windsurfing Team since 1995, 2000 & 2012 Olympic Games participant

“Paros is the top windsurfing and sailing destination in Greece. From windsurfing to partying and from beautiful beaches to nice restaurants, Paros is the place to be.” – Byron Kokkalanis, Silver medallist in 2010, 2011 and 2012 European Championships