Contact details
E-mail: wimacuracao[at]gmail.com
Facebook: WIMA Curaçao
About WIMA Curaçao
WIMA Curaçao was founded in December 2011 by Chinka Olario, Ilona Schotborg and Rita Koopmanschap, and consists of a small group of enthusiastic female motorcyclists. There was no women’s only association and many female riders were members of mixed groups. To ride with women only was very appealing and new riders liked gaining riding experience in a smaller and relaxed group of female riders. The opportunity of meeting women riders worldwide made it even more interesting to join WIMA. Locally we are a well-organised group of riders, with our constitution, board members and an activities calendar with various rides and activities..
We are ‘the lucky ones’, being able to ride from beach to beach throughout the year, living in a tropical climate on the island of Curaçao. In the rainy period we prefer to leave our motorcycles at home, because the roads can get rather slippery. Most of the time, however, the sun is shining. We prefer to ride early-morning or late-afternoon, not to get a sunburn! There is usually plenty of wind, so we do not melt when we stop, but no Gore- Tex for us because we ride in jeans and T-shirts. So, no Gore-Tex for us but we do wear helmets on Curaçao.
Notable members
Rita Koopmanschap, President since 2021
Rita has been a member of WIMA since she was 19, starting her membership in the Netherlands where she was born in 1968. After moving to the Caribbean, she was international president for several years. When Angy Trevaskis took over this job, many women had turned out to be riding and WIMA Curacao was founded in 2010. Various ladies born on Curacao were presidents, but when Majesse stepped down members decided Rita should take over. She hasn’t been able to attend rallies for three years now, being a teacher, but she expects to attend the rallies in Germany and Estonia upcoming, being mid-summer holidays. Rita’s biggest wish is that more members from WIMA Curacao will join an international rally, some day. Rita is also a recipient of the Ellen Pfeiffer award.
Majesse van Boheemen, President 2020-2021
Majesse was born on Curaçao in 1964 and loves motorcycling. She rides a 650 Yamaha V-Star from 2005, which is her first motorcycle.
As WIMA Curaçao NP I feel honoured and proud that we build up an international network of motorcycling women to share our girl power. It helps break down the image of women not being able or supposed to ride motorcycles. Riding is totally appropriate for us! Until our Dushi WIMA rally, on Curaçao in 2019, I had not realised so many women from so many countries from all over the world were affiliated, riding and meeting up!
Women of different ages, backgrounds, at different levels of experience riding all sorts of motorcycles, that is what appeals to her most about WIMA. Majesse hope to get a chance to participate in an International Rally in the near future.
Carin Mercera, President from 2016-2019
Carin, a happy and extremely skilled rider, was a key figure during the organisation of the Dushi WIMA rally in April 2019. She rides a 2006 Harley Davidson Fat Boy. Both Carin and Chinka are well-known lady riders in the wider Caribbean, where many islands annually celebrate their Flag Day to commemorate gained freedom and independence.
Carin Mercera has also been a member of Easy Riders Curacao for many years. Carin always tries to take part in events like Flag Day Curacao (July), on Bonaire (September) and in Aruba (March). Adventurously, Carin even joins events in Surinam when she gets the chance, shipping and riding her bike there, accompanied by riders from Surinam (Southern America).
Chinka Olario, President from 2011-2016
Chinka is an eager and skilled motorcyclist. She has always wanted to help others and to make them feel comfortable in whatever they are doing. When she met Rita Koopmanschap and heard about WIMA international, she knew this was an excellent opportunity for Curacao to join by starting up WIMA Curacao. Chinka loves riding her 1997 Yamaha Royal Star and has been a member of Easy Riders for many years. She is very active as Volunteer Officer in the local corps, which works together with the police force, helping maintain order and peace on the island.
