March, 2010

March 28, 2010: Catalina Challenge

Posted on: March 31st, 2010 by Paddle Surf No Comments

 

From Team Starboard...

Wow!!!! What an awesome weekend we had! This past Sunday, March 28, 2010, EJ and I competed in the Catalina Challenge, a 40 mile channel crossing from Avalon Harbor on Catalina Island to Dana Point Harbor, home to our very own EJ and Andie Johnson. This year we were seriously blessed by beautiful conditions. Honestly, it never gets that smooth for that long in the channel. The race started out at 8 a.m. with glassy conditions, sunshine, and warm weather. We never expected it to last for almost the entire duration of the race.

EJ and I went in with the goal of winning the 12'6" division. If I'm telling the truth, I wasn't ever worried about winning the 12'6" division, I was more concerned with beating the 14's.  Well, I will admit, that turned out to be a little bit of an arrogant assumption. EJ paddled the beginning leg of 30 minutes where where we found ourselves neck and neck with a 4man 14ft team and just ahead of another 2man 12'6" team and 4man 12'6" team. I will also mention that we were just behind a 3man 14ft. team who managed to gap us throughout the race, after a few hours I realized the goal of beating the 14's wasn't gonna happen for us. For the first 4-5 hours we paddled with the 4man 12'6" and 14' teams on our TAILS, big time! I was pretty concerned they might catch us. At one point they were so close I could hear them hooting at their paddlers to catch us. I just put my head down and went harder, as did EJ. Then...the transition came, about 8 miles from shore, the swell started to pick up, and we actually had some push, not totally at the right angle, but definitely gave us some push. EJ really takes max advantage of any kind of bump with his aggressive paddling style, and the NEW board is perfect for those conditions. So with about 8 miles left we started to gap the two teams who had been on our heals, and with about 4 miles left the winds started picking up, giving us more of an advantage as board features and riders abilities became more of an influential factor. Well, at the end of the day, we did it. EJ and I finished first in the 12'6' division as a coed two-person team in      7 hours and 6 minutes, about 10 minutes ahead of our closest competion. We pretty much rocked! It was good and felt great!!! SUPER stoked! Here are some pics, and coming soon a short video of the crossing!

Ciao for now,

Brandi  Baksic


More Surftech Models Announced for 2010

Posted on: March 28th, 2010 by Paddle Surf No Comments

 

Further to our initial announcement regarding Surftech's 2010 SUP line up, we've now received an addendum to the original catalog, which includes a number of fresh new boards, including the 12'6 Mitcho designed by Adrian Birse, a brand new 12'6 Bark Competitor, three new Donald Takayama shapes, a 12'5 Mickey Munoz, an 11'6 Robert August, in addition to a new SUP Deck Rigging kit for Surftech boards built with factory inserts.

Check out the PDF here

Reminder: Great Place Paddle Race: March 20th, Hyde Park, Tacoma

Posted on: March 19th, 2010 by Paddle Surf No Comments

 

Come down for Surfrider Foundation's race Saturday AM. It looks like the first day of spring is going to be in the uppers 60's! For directions and registration, click here. There will be multiple race events (even a few for the kiddies), stock class (12' 6" and under) and unlimited class heats. There will also be free demos of boards, paddles and other gear. NW Paddle Surfers will have a tent where you can pick up the iconic "skull" hoodie and paddle shirts.

Registration begins at 8:30 AM. A mandatory pre-race meeting is scheduled for 9:15 AM. The entire Run of Events is as follows:

8:30AM Participants Arrive
Registration Opens (*Kayakers have first priority)
9:15AM Safety Talk with all Participants (*all participants must be present for this, then can leave and return)
9:30AM Heat 1 – Kayakers (Youth, 18-40 Divisions and 40+ Division)

10:30AM Heat 2 – Quarter Mile “Blowup Orca” Paddlers
11:30AM Heat 3 – SUP (12’6 and under: 16-40 and 40+ Divisions)
12:30PM Heat 4 – Youth Quarter Mile Paddlers & Prone Paddlers
1:00PM Heat 4 – SUP (12’7+ and Unlimited: 16-40 and 40+ Divisions)
2:00PM Heat 5 – SUP (Women’s: All Divisions)
3:30PM (Or When Last Paddler Exits the Water) Announce the overall top three of each style (Kayak, Prone, SUP – Men and Women)
Raffles

SUP "Drag" Race: March 21st, Gasworks Park, Seattle, 10:30 AM
Bring your pink slips for the first ever 1/4 mile "drag" race on Lake Union. Remember, this is a no wake zone, so you might have to hold back a little! This is a "just-for-fun" event, and a chance to check out some of the new race/tour designs. Demos of the new Ron House 12.6 race boards will be available. If you haven't already done so, get into Urban Surf and check out these beauties. They can't help but go FAST!

Costumes are encouraged for the "Drag" race!

Hope to see you at one or both events this weekend.

March 26-28: Surftech 2nd Annual SUP Shootout at the Lane

Posted on: March 3rd, 2010 by Paddle Surf No Comments

 

March 3, 2010 (Santa Cruz, CA) - The stage is set for the 2nd Annual "Surftech SUP Shootout at the Lane", happening March 26th - 28th. It's been a record El Nino winter with pumping surf slamming the California coast week after week. The result of all this wave action (other than broken relationships & loss of jobs) is the massive sand bar that's developed along the cliffs at Steamer Lane!

Happening in conjunction with the Santa Cruz Surf Kayak Festival, for a few hours on the weekend of March 26-28 stand up paddlers will have Steamer Lane all to themselves! Pro level competitors can compete in the "Elite" division for prizes and bragging rights, while intermediate competitors who want to take advantage of the Lanes empty line-up can enter the "intermediate" division. The event will include more than $2,000 in prizes, Silent Auction, SUP demos and clinics, Manufacturer Expo and after parties.

2009 Surftech SUP Shootout Elite Results:
1ST PLACE - CHUCK PATTERSON  64 POINTS
2ND PLACE - JOHN GRIFFITH  62 POINTS
3RD PLACE - BRYCE SAEMON  57 POINTS (OWNING THE TIEBREAK)
4TH PLACE - WARD COFFEY  57 POINTS

For registration, contact:
George Phiripes - sup@surftech.com
or call 831-458-3648

Stand Up Paddleboard Fitness Training = paddlesurfitness

Posted on: March 2nd, 2010 by Paddle Surf No Comments

 

Stand Up Paddle Surfing is a sport whose roots run deep in ancient Hawaiian history. It is an amazing, fun new way to experience the abundance of BC’s lakes, rivers and coastlines! As a lifetime outdoor enthusiast, runner, paddler and surfer, I have never participated in a sport or activity that has offered such a rewarding all-around experience!

Stand Up Paddling is easy to learn, a non-intimidating activity that appeals to all ages and physical abilities. Participants are able to quickly progress and develop the skills necessary to improve fitness, or simply enjoy the experience of "walking on water”!

Stand Up Paddling is a multi dimensional sport that promotes balance, strength, and endurance and is one of the best workouts for developing core strength and overall fitness. The benefits of such have been realized by professional athletes and weekend warriors alike, from alpine skiers, to triathletes!
paddlesurfitness concentrates on developing proper paddling technique to engage your entire body and to paddle with maximum power and efficiency. Dry land conditioning exercises are integrated into each session, providing a total body, high calorie burning fitness class. paddlesurfitness redefines total body fitness. Experience the future of “FUN” fitness training!

For information on introductory or fitness sessions please contact Bodie Shandro at 250 318-0722, or email bodie@surftech.com

2010 Surftech SUP Catalog Released

Posted on: March 2nd, 2010 by Paddle Surf 2 Comments

 

Surftech has just released their catalog for the 2010 season, and looks like a winner for sure.

Of particular interest is the Bark 14 Expedition for long distance flatwater touring, the Jamie Mitchell 9'8 for waveriding, and their brand new iSUP 10'6 Inflatable for whitewater and general toying around. Their new line up of Bamboozle Bamboo technology boards look pretty sweet too!

Click here to download the PDF version of the catalog.

March 20, 2010: Great Place Paddle Race, Tacoma WA

Posted on: March 1st, 2010 by Paddle Surf No Comments

 

The South Sound Chapter of Surfrider Foundation is presenting a 4 mile race at Hyde Park on March 20.  Should have a good turnout.  For more info. and registration, here are the deets:

northwestpaddlesurfers.com is also going to be hosting:

March 21 - "Drag Race", Gasworks Park, Seattle
First ever, quarter mile sprints for SUP in the Pacific Northwest.  Just show up with your fastest stick.  Extra points for actually paddling in "drag".  Another opportunity to demo the new race boards.

May 1 - Bellingham Race on Lake Whatcom
More details to come

Check their website at northwestpaddlesurfers.com in coming weeks for more information!