Sunday Spot X from William Pope on Vimeo.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Swell Info forecast screenshot
Santa has brought a nice report for Satuday-Monday.....Bring It!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
2nd Cold Stroke Classic notes!
Looks like the Cold Stroke Classic is really going to heat up! I spoke to Mark Johnson from Hobie and several of the Hobie team members are headed east for the race. Colin McPhilips, Byron Kurt and Tom Lloy will be on hand for the race and you can catch up with these guys at SideArm Sports the day before the race. Mark Johnson is flying in on Sat. and will catch up with the team at the race. I also heard thru the grape vine that Chuck is not racing??? WTF bummer for all of our guys that have been training to give him a run for the money? NO worries sounds like with EJ, Bryon, Colin, and Tommy on hand there will be plenty of competition to go around in the elite division. Just sorry I am not going to be here to join in but I know the necks will pick up the slack in my absence. I will catch up with the Hobie guys in Orlando at Surf Expo. Maybe rent out the wave pool in Disney World and catch a few waves! The last time we did that it was a blast. (Yes Timmie the bottom turn is different in fresh water)
Monday, December 21, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Dave Kalama's paddle stroke
Dave Kalama - Stand Up Paddle Strokes from standupzone dotcom on Vimeo.
Chan had mentioned a while back that she was going to do an interview with Dave on some techniques and paddle tips that we thought others on the Zone might find interesting. Well, we all finally got a chance to do that over the last couple of days, and so here is the first go. We met up at Maliko Gulch for some photos, but brought along my little point and shoot as well. Randy Royce used it to shoot some video clips, and I think they do a good job of showing the difference between Dave's primary two strokes. Up until 1:40 he is using the Hawaiian stroke, after that, the Tahitian stroke. This is the Naish 17 production and Dave's Signature model Quickblade. I will post some of the stills I shot of the gear, the strokes, etc. in a bit. Chan is compiling her notes from the interview, in which Dave gave out some really detailed instruction on trimming, swell selection and following, and ruddering.
The following is Dave's description of the two strokes in the vid:
The Hawaiian stroke, is a longer, slower paced stroke with greater repetitions per side (12-16) than the Tahitian. To initiate the stroke extend your lower shoulder and arm, twist your torso, maintain a vertical paddle position on entry, push down to weight the paddle while pulling the stroke parallel to the board to propel your weight forward. It is important to maintain a vertical paddle position until you begin to exit the stroke. Release should occur slightly before your paddle reaches your hip by dropping your upper hand and twisting your wrist.
The Tahitian stroke requires a greater degree of extension, so reach as far forward as possible. It is ok to bend a little at the hips, but you don't want that to be the majority of your reach. The torso twist and the shoulder reach along with a little bend at the hips add up to your total extension for your reach. Less weight is placed on the paddle and quicker shorter strokes are required. At this rate 8-10 strokes per side is recommended. Using a combination of strokes helps to minimize fatigue.
Early Cold Stroke practice
Thursday morning at 5:30 AM air temp was 29 degrees water temp not sure luckly I did not fall in! Cold start to the morning paddle around the loop at WB. Chris and Jason did their double lap, me made one and bailed for warmer places like my jeep! Realized how much I missed the warmer temps!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Turn 3 Battle of Paddle first lap
I stumbled across this while getting some video off my camera yesterday. The commentary from the announcer creates the jazz.
Battle of Paddle Turn 3 from Stan Clinard on Vimeo.
Battle of Paddle Turn 3 from Stan Clinard on Vimeo.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Spot X
Spot was spot on this afternoon. I got out about 3:30 wasit and clean with an occasional head high set. Awesome afternoon!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
12 mile paddle
John and I put in at the Carolina Beach boat ramp paddle back to the Dockside. Had wind and current for most of the way. John was able to try out his new Christmas gift a Go Pro HD mounted on a visor by Dan. Can't way to see how it turned out!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Zekes Island SUP trip to swim hole
This video was shot this past summer. Fun Stand Up Paddle over to Zekes Island to the swim hole. Oh, and one last thing, if you are questioning the tune, it was the boys tune of the summer.
Stand Up Paddle over to Zekes Island with Sons from Stan Clinard on Vimeo.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Go Pro
mounting plate that goes on your board. It's the white disk to the right of the camera.
Also got the chest strap shown at the top of the pic. I think the board mount and
visor mount might be the ticket.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Cape Lookout
I know you guys are tired of hearing me ramble about Cape Lookout but I think we need to road trip when the report is right. I added the report over there -> to the right of the blog. Keep your eye on it.. I'm spur of the moment and can be there in 5 hrs.
Let's go when the report is right.
Let's go when the report is right.
Battle of the Paddle
scene at Doheny after Battle of the Paddle.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Outer Banks Storm Pictures Click Here
Check out these photos of Outer Banks. Very nice swell and lots of property damage.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Holiday sessions
Hope all had a great Thanksgiving holiday. Stan, Zo and I got out late on Wednesday afternoon at local spot X that Zo has renamed the G spot. It was a solid waist to chest with off shore winds. The rides were awesome you could connect for a hundred to one hundred fifty yards. The best part of Wednesday afternoon it was only the three of us out! Thursday was a little more crowded and the swell had faded a little but still long rides and really fun. Hopefully the video footage that Zo shot can get uploaded to the blog. A little disappointed the wind blew it out on Friday. Saturday and Sunday flat as lake so back to a couple of laps around the beach. Hope everyone has an awesome week.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Monday morn session
Met up with John at Star Bucks this morning around 5:30 for a Monday session. John introduced me to Bob and Betsy Risner from Utah. They are big Hobie fans so Ahwoooo to Bob and Betsy. They also are in process of developing a website call GOYA which means "Get Off Your Ass". It should be up around the first of the year check it out at www.goyaevents.com. Great folks to hook up with and do a little paddling. Banks channel was loads of fun with an east wind about 20 kts, (nice upwinder)! As I made the turn by the boat ramp I saw John, Betsy and Bob had hooked up with Jason so we made another loop only downwind this time, much easier! Great morn let's git on it early again tomorrow.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Slater Trout signs with Paddle Surf Hawaii
Paddle Surf Hawaii Picks Up Youngest SUP Pro, Slater Trout
By: Ben Cortez
Paddle Surf Hawaii has signed 14 year old waterman Slater Trout to their list of high caliber athletes. "We're stoked to have Slater surfing our boards, he is a great guy from a great family. He rips too!", says PSH owner and shaper Blane Chambers. Paddle Surf Hawaii is one of the premier stand up paddle surfboard makers in the industry.
Blessed with natural talent and ability, Slater is a great ambassador for SUP, the fastest growing water sport in the world. Not only a major force in SUP wave events, Slater has also proven himself to be a fierce competitor in open ocean racing. Slater recently took 2nd place in the Gerry Lopez Rainbow Sandals Battle of the Paddle, Elite men's division in Dana Point California. This invitation only event featured 96 of the world's top paddlers, Slater being the youngest. Those not familiar with his body of work in Hawaii, where he lives, took notice after this incredible performance. A few of Slater's other notable accomplishments include, three championship titles at the prestigious Duke's Oceanfest held each August on Waikiki Beach on Oahu.
By: Ben Cortez
Paddle Surf Hawaii has signed 14 year old waterman Slater Trout to their list of high caliber athletes. "We're stoked to have Slater surfing our boards, he is a great guy from a great family. He rips too!", says PSH owner and shaper Blane Chambers. Paddle Surf Hawaii is one of the premier stand up paddle surfboard makers in the industry.
Blessed with natural talent and ability, Slater is a great ambassador for SUP, the fastest growing water sport in the world. Not only a major force in SUP wave events, Slater has also proven himself to be a fierce competitor in open ocean racing. Slater recently took 2nd place in the Gerry Lopez Rainbow Sandals Battle of the Paddle, Elite men's division in Dana Point California. This invitation only event featured 96 of the world's top paddlers, Slater being the youngest. Those not familiar with his body of work in Hawaii, where he lives, took notice after this incredible performance. A few of Slater's other notable accomplishments include, three championship titles at the prestigious Duke's Oceanfest held each August on Waikiki Beach on Oahu.
Gables to Bay Regatta
Video review of a successful stand up paddle race event, The Gables to the Bay Regatta, to raise money and awareness for a local waterway. Reported and edited by Liane Morejon. The event was sponsored by Jimmy Lewis and the Waterway Renaissance Foundation. First place men's was Packet Casey, and women's Helga Goebel, both on new Jimmy Lewis Slice boards. The evert brought in over $20K for waterway cleanup.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Great White off NC Coast
White sharks not rare off Wrightsville Beach
When a pair of Wilmington men spotted a shark cruising about one mile off the coast of Wrightsville Beach last Sunday, Nov. 8, they were flabbergasted.
But authorities say that a white shark, commonly referred to as a Great White Shark, so close to the coast may not be as rare of an occurrence as some may believe. What is rare, they say, is having the crystal clear water needed to spot one.
“It’s not unusual for those sharks to be around here, but it is unusual to actually see one like that,” said Frederick Scharf, associate professor of fisheries biology at the
Scharf said white sharks are attracted by the cool water that tends to be an inshore characteristic this time of year. There’s less volume of water in the more shallow areas, so it tends to respond to air temperatures much faster than water farther offshore.
The water also tends to be clear during the winter time, due mostly to the fact that plant life like plankton and other microalgae are pulled away from the surface by wind and sediment. Aqua plant life thus has a tough time photosynthesizing and disappears.
Hap Fatzinger, curator at the North Carolina Aquarium at
“This is a good white shark temperature and there’s a lot of food associated with this temperature that the shark would feed on normally,” he said.
Scharf suspects that the shark spotted on Sunday was in migratory mode, possibly moving from the north. Studies show that white sharks can travel thousands of miles, often showing transoceanic migration.
“For all we know this shark could be on its way to
Images of the now infamous white shark surfaced when Steve Boehling, a
Boehling, 44, said he and a friend, Mike Ross, 41, were trolling through a school of false albacore in the clear blue water about one mile off Crystal Pier.
The fishermen weren’t having much luck, and they were about to head towards another spot to try again when suddenly Boehling spotted a fin sticking up out of the water closer to shore.
“I thought it was another dolphin,” he said, “but it stayed on the surface. Mike and I looked at each other and we said, ‘That’s a shark! Let’s go over there.’”
Boehling estimated that the shark, which authorities believe to be a white, was between 16-18 feet in length.
They pulled their boat up beside the enormous fish, watching intently as it continued skimming the surface. Boehling said it wasn’t feeding at that time, but he suspects it may have been feeding earlier.
“I was shocked to see the size of that fish,” he said. “It was amazing. It really was. I didn’t have time to be scared then—it was just overwhelming. It was so surprising that I didn’t react other than to stare at it and try to gauge how big it was.”
Wanting to document their find, Ross tried to snag a picture of the shark with a cell phone, but the sun was so bright he couldn’t see the LCD screen. Ross snapped a picture anyway, hoping for the best, Boehling said.
“At least we could prove it, because otherwise we figured it would a Big Foot story,” Boehling said.
At first, Boehling wasn’t sure whether the shark was a white or a tiger, but after noticing some of the distinguishing features, he was convinced they had found the ocean’s alpha predator.
Fatzinger, the aquarium curator, later confirmed their beliefs. An examination of the photo found the discriminating characteristics of a white shark, like the body shape, robust girth, pointed snout, size of the pectoral fins and white underbelly.
The shark disappeared, diving deeper into the water, about a half mile from shore, Boehling said.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Hobie.com -Saeman Bros. SUPn Across America: Canada Farmlands to Annapolis MD
Hobie.com -Saeman Bros. SUPn Across America: Canada Farmlands to Annapolis MD: "<< Hobie Surfboards on How it's Made TV Show Saeman Bros. SUPn Across America: Canada Farmlands to Annapolis MD
By tsaeman - 15. November 2009 20:34"
By tsaeman - 15. November 2009 20:34"
Monday, November 16, 2009
Monday morning session
Off shore winds big roller as it was high tide. Luchador and I took the boat out and anchored off shore of the break. Started with paddle boards had to work to get into the wave but chest to head sets coming thru. Great moring stopped by Mase on the way back in and caught a few lefts on the surf board. Time to get to work!
Wrightsville Past Weekend
What a great weekend. Zo, after numerous text messages, decided to leave
at 2:30am Saturday morning (didn't go to bed until after midnight) to meet
us in Greensboro. Tim and I were waiting at a truck stop. Quickly loaded
our gear into Zo's Tahoe and we were off. We had excellent conditions both
Saturday and Sunday. Sunday was a little nicer because the wind mellowed.
We had two sessions on Saturday and one Sunday morning. I would say we
were in the water a total of +/- 8 hours. Nice offshore break at Location X.
Nice left peelers for plenty of "Ahwooooo!" It was
head high with occasional overhead if you were patient. Pope was "so excited"
he couldn't wait for us Saturday morning but joined us the other two sessions.
This pic is what got Zo up at 2:30 am. Best session I've had since San Onofre
last month. Not that I've had many. Oh well, take what your thrown. Zo had a
head cam and should be posting some of his footage.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
GoPro HD HERO®: Pre-Production Test Footage
Check out the test footage of the new HD GoPro Surf Hero camera. These are supposed to start shipping in the next couple of weeks. They will take your reservation now. Pretty slick. Once you click the link, choose the Surf Hero movie on the right side.
GoPro HD HERO®: Pre-Production Test Footage
Posted using ShareThis
GoPro HD HERO®: Pre-Production Test Footage
Posted using ShareThis
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Stand Up Paddle Lake Session
Timmy and I hit the lake this afternoon. A little cooler than yesterday but still very nice. Timmy was cooking on his Hobie race board. Dana and the kids showed up to witness our session. I didn't know they were there until I was getting back onto my board after falling off. All I could hear was laughter coming from the park. Oh well. We had a good paddle. Timmy set himself a new record of 57 minutes and some change. I was 6 minutes behind him. I believe the distance on the route we paddled is 4.8 miles.
Stan
Stan
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Stand Up Paddle Lake Session
Hit the lake this afternoon. I was only able to squeeze in a 3 miler because of daylight savings time. They now want us out of the water at 4:45. Timmy wasn't able to make it so I focused on turns around the buoys. Very nice afternoon weather wise and perfect temperature around 70 degrees.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Stand up surf session
John and I were out early this morning. Waist to chest and clean long lines. Dave and Phil showed up after and hour got some great footage with the visor cam! Hope to get it up soon. What an awesome morning it made getting up at 5am worth it!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Thursday at the Inlet!
Once again no cracks on my video skills but I got worked on this shot. As I was shooting the video did not see the 8 footer coming at me from off shore the video got shut off quicly when it dumped on me!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Catch up on all the west coast stand up happenings at: http://www.mylocallineup.com/
Starting in Nov the cable company will air a SUP show called Local Line Up.
Starting in Nov the cable company will air a SUP show called Local Line Up.
East Coast Hobie Team
Battle of the Paddle
From left: William Pope, Zo Tipton, Stan Clinard, Tim Smith
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Chuck Patterson Reflects on the 2009 Battle of the Paddle Stand Up Paddle Event
Contributed by Chuck Patterson
Saturday, 10 October 2009
After winning last years "Rainbow Sandals Battle of the Paddle"; going into this years event was pretty stressful, knowing
I had to work extra hard to defend my title with a huge target on my back.
I felt I had a duty to my sponsors, fans and myself to do the best and that's what we as athletes live for.
This years event was a 2 day "ultra marathon paddle fest", starting with a 4 mile open race, followed by the 5 mile Elite
surf slalom super cross in windy head high surf and on the second day we paddled a 10 mile coastal run in 15-20 mile
onshore bumpy conditions, kids race and ending with a 4 person team surf relay paddle.
I have to say that this years Elite Surf slalom super cross race was the best action packed crossover race I have ever
paddled in the sport of SUP.
We couldn't have asked for better conditions; with head high surf breaking through the whole length of the course and a
dropping tide which made it really challenging on the way out and rounding the inside buoys.The start was super chaotic
with about 85 men and 25 women side by side, slamming boards and paddles at every turn and set waves plowing
anything in it's path back to the beach.
As we rounded every inside buoy on our way back out; we had to fight through the crowd of paddlers and loose floating
boards etc., punching through 100 yards of white water to make our way back up to the outside buoy.There were times
where you would time it perfect and paddle through small surf on the way out and then hook up on a good set wave on
the way in or just the opposite, where you got plowed going out and paddled without a wave in sight on the way in, only
to have the guys behind you catch up with a lucky wave in. Every lap, the order changed dramatically and you just had to
minimize the mistakes and put your head down and grind it out.
I can remember on my first lap, where about 10 of us caught a set wave in and as we got to the inside buoy everybody
turned at the same time and boards went flying. I luckily got to my board before another wave hit and as I was paddling
back out through the mayhem, a guy lost his board and the wave was pushing it sideways right in my path and I just
slammed my nose through the board, deflecting it to the side and as I looked back, all I could see was white surfboard
foam floating in the water. I was pretty lucky that my Hobie board was still in one piece, but there were many stories of
broken fin boxes, boards and bruised shins.
This was a true test of endurance, determination, surf skill and "luck" and above all the most fun ever paddling with the
best in the world.......
A big Congratulations to Jamie mitchell and Shakira Westdorp for winning the Battle of the Paddle and to Slater Trout,
nipping at their heals and Team Hobie and all the locals for holding it down in our home town....It was truly awesome to
see all the other young athletes pushing the sport like Riggs Napolean, Connor Baxter and Zane Switzer.
I really want to thank Sparky, Gerry Lopez, Barrett Tester of Rainbow sandals, all the industry sponsors and fans
showing their support and everyone who worked so hard in making this event a huge success.
I also want to thank my sponsors: Hobie, Ocean Minded, Kialoa, H2O Audio, Dakine, Rainbow fins, O'neill, Watermans
sunscrean, On It, Monster Paint, Indo Boards and my family for all of your support.
My overall standings:
5th place - Mens Elite race
4th place - 10 mile race
4th place - Team Hobie surf Relay
Thanks so much,
Chuck Patterson
Stand Up Paddle Surfing Magazine
http:/
Contributed by Chuck Patterson
Saturday, 10 October 2009
After winning last years "Rainbow Sandals Battle of the Paddle"; going into this years event was pretty stressful, knowing
I had to work extra hard to defend my title with a huge target on my back.
I felt I had a duty to my sponsors, fans and myself to do the best and that's what we as athletes live for.
This years event was a 2 day "ultra marathon paddle fest", starting with a 4 mile open race, followed by the 5 mile Elite
surf slalom super cross in windy head high surf and on the second day we paddled a 10 mile coastal run in 15-20 mile
onshore bumpy conditions, kids race and ending with a 4 person team surf relay paddle.
I have to say that this years Elite Surf slalom super cross race was the best action packed crossover race I have ever
paddled in the sport of SUP.
We couldn't have asked for better conditions; with head high surf breaking through the whole length of the course and a
dropping tide which made it really challenging on the way out and rounding the inside buoys.The start was super chaotic
with about 85 men and 25 women side by side, slamming boards and paddles at every turn and set waves plowing
anything in it's path back to the beach.
As we rounded every inside buoy on our way back out; we had to fight through the crowd of paddlers and loose floating
boards etc., punching through 100 yards of white water to make our way back up to the outside buoy.There were times
where you would time it perfect and paddle through small surf on the way out and then hook up on a good set wave on
the way in or just the opposite, where you got plowed going out and paddled without a wave in sight on the way in, only
to have the guys behind you catch up with a lucky wave in. Every lap, the order changed dramatically and you just had to
minimize the mistakes and put your head down and grind it out.
I can remember on my first lap, where about 10 of us caught a set wave in and as we got to the inside buoy everybody
turned at the same time and boards went flying. I luckily got to my board before another wave hit and as I was paddling
back out through the mayhem, a guy lost his board and the wave was pushing it sideways right in my path and I just
slammed my nose through the board, deflecting it to the side and as I looked back, all I could see was white surfboard
foam floating in the water. I was pretty lucky that my Hobie board was still in one piece, but there were many stories of
broken fin boxes, boards and bruised shins.
This was a true test of endurance, determination, surf skill and "luck" and above all the most fun ever paddling with the
best in the world.......
A big Congratulations to Jamie mitchell and Shakira Westdorp for winning the Battle of the Paddle and to Slater Trout,
nipping at their heals and Team Hobie and all the locals for holding it down in our home town....It was truly awesome to
see all the other young athletes pushing the sport like Riggs Napolean, Connor Baxter and Zane Switzer.
I really want to thank Sparky, Gerry Lopez, Barrett Tester of Rainbow sandals, all the industry sponsors and fans
showing their support and everyone who worked so hard in making this event a huge success.
I also want to thank my sponsors: Hobie, Ocean Minded, Kialoa, H2O Audio, Dakine, Rainbow fins, O'neill, Watermans
sunscrean, On It, Monster Paint, Indo Boards and my family for all of your support.
My overall standings:
5th place - Mens Elite race
4th place - 10 mile race
4th place - Team Hobie surf Relay
Thanks so much,
Chuck Patterson
Stand Up Paddle Surfing Magazine
http:/
Good Footage of Elite Race Battle of the Paddle 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jttFGAjD-Q&feature=PlayList&p=35E16F074F9FEEEC&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=5
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
2009 Battle of the Paddle By sdouglas - 6. October 2009 14:42
The 2009 Rainbow Battle of the Paddle, two amazing days of world class Stand Up Paddle racing with paddlers from all over the world vying for a piece of Battle glory.
The format for this years Battle was unique in that it wasn’t just a typical paddle race from point A to point B, instead it more closely resembled a true waterman’s event, combining paddle racing with surfing and general ocean knowledge. The Battle wasn’t just one race but a combination of 4 races, the open class race, the distance race, team relays, and headliner Elite event. This 2 day event format found many racers competing in not just one but possibly all 4 events.
Team Hobie entered this years Battle riding on the wave of success from Chuck Patterson’s win the year before. The preparations from both the athletes and the board builders were relentless for over a month leading up to the Battle weekend. The athletes trained non stop and fined tuned themselves with key races leading up to the event. The board builders did quite the same, turning out 14 race amazing ready boards in 2 weeks for riders and customers alike.
On day one the Hobie race team, equipped with carbon Hobie race boards, started off with a bang. In the open event, the youngest member of the Hobie team, Cody Alter secured a 1st place finish in the 14’ 18 & under division. Hobie shaper Gary Larson also took home 1st place win in the heavily contested Stock 19-29 division and Pete Wilson took 2nd in the Stock 50-59 division.
The second half of day one the much anticipated "Elite Race Main Event" was on the stage. Mother Nature made sure that this was going to truly be a "Battle of The Paddle". Normally calm Doheny State Beach delivered a head high south swell and a nice low tide to challenge the 94 competitors. To add to the conditions Sparky from Rainbow Sandals designed a course consisting of 4 laps in and out of the surf. It was not going to be just about who had the fastest board, but who was the top "Waterman." , and luck being the X factor. A single set wave could take a competitor from mid pack to the lead within minutes or a stray board from another unfortunate competitor could take you out of the race completely. From the start you could tell that this race was going to be a spectacle, and words like chaos, and carnage could be heard up and down the beach. In the end, Hobie elite paddlers claimed seven of the top twenty spots. Chuck Patterson – 5th, Tommy Lloy – 7th , Bryce Saeman – 8th , Colin McPhillips – 10th, Tj Saeman 13th, Byron Kurt – 18th, Mitch Kahn – 20th
After a well needed break, day two began with the distance event. Once again Mother Nature had her way and greeted racers to strong winds and really bumpy conditions making the 10 mile course a true test of not only racer’s paddling skills, but also their ability to read the conditions, stay out of trouble, and find every ounce of advantage available. Chuck Patterson led the Hobie contingent with a 4th place overall finish and Byron Kurt finished not too far behind in 9th. Colin McPhillips finished 1st 14’ 30-39 division and Sean Douglas 3rd 30-39 Stock division.
The Battle’s finale was a true gathering of the tribes with the Team Relay, each team consisted of three men and one women. The 1 mile course would see each team member twice. Hobie Team 1 – Chuck Patterson, Byron Kurt, Mitch Kahn, and Karen Wrenn finished a much respectable 4th , Hobie Team 3 – TJ Saeman, Bryce Saeman, Bridget Saeman, and Lance Erikson finished 7th and Hobie Team 2 – Tommy Lloy, Colin McPhillips, Hayden Lane, and Jen Hollcomb finished 8th , once again placing Hobie in the top ten.
Overall, Team Hobie walked away from the 2009 Battle of the Paddle with a huge sense of accomplishment. Hobie riders finished high among the worlds paddling
The 2009 Rainbow Battle of the Paddle, two amazing days of world class Stand Up Paddle racing with paddlers from all over the world vying for a piece of Battle glory.
The format for this years Battle was unique in that it wasn’t just a typical paddle race from point A to point B, instead it more closely resembled a true waterman’s event, combining paddle racing with surfing and general ocean knowledge. The Battle wasn’t just one race but a combination of 4 races, the open class race, the distance race, team relays, and headliner Elite event. This 2 day event format found many racers competing in not just one but possibly all 4 events.
Team Hobie entered this years Battle riding on the wave of success from Chuck Patterson’s win the year before. The preparations from both the athletes and the board builders were relentless for over a month leading up to the Battle weekend. The athletes trained non stop and fined tuned themselves with key races leading up to the event. The board builders did quite the same, turning out 14 race amazing ready boards in 2 weeks for riders and customers alike.
On day one the Hobie race team, equipped with carbon Hobie race boards, started off with a bang. In the open event, the youngest member of the Hobie team, Cody Alter secured a 1st place finish in the 14’ 18 & under division. Hobie shaper Gary Larson also took home 1st place win in the heavily contested Stock 19-29 division and Pete Wilson took 2nd in the Stock 50-59 division.
The second half of day one the much anticipated "Elite Race Main Event" was on the stage. Mother Nature made sure that this was going to truly be a "Battle of The Paddle". Normally calm Doheny State Beach delivered a head high south swell and a nice low tide to challenge the 94 competitors. To add to the conditions Sparky from Rainbow Sandals designed a course consisting of 4 laps in and out of the surf. It was not going to be just about who had the fastest board, but who was the top "Waterman." , and luck being the X factor. A single set wave could take a competitor from mid pack to the lead within minutes or a stray board from another unfortunate competitor could take you out of the race completely. From the start you could tell that this race was going to be a spectacle, and words like chaos, and carnage could be heard up and down the beach. In the end, Hobie elite paddlers claimed seven of the top twenty spots. Chuck Patterson – 5th, Tommy Lloy – 7th , Bryce Saeman – 8th , Colin McPhillips – 10th, Tj Saeman 13th, Byron Kurt – 18th, Mitch Kahn – 20th
After a well needed break, day two began with the distance event. Once again Mother Nature had her way and greeted racers to strong winds and really bumpy conditions making the 10 mile course a true test of not only racer’s paddling skills, but also their ability to read the conditions, stay out of trouble, and find every ounce of advantage available. Chuck Patterson led the Hobie contingent with a 4th place overall finish and Byron Kurt finished not too far behind in 9th. Colin McPhillips finished 1st 14’ 30-39 division and Sean Douglas 3rd 30-39 Stock division.
The Battle’s finale was a true gathering of the tribes with the Team Relay, each team consisted of three men and one women. The 1 mile course would see each team member twice. Hobie Team 1 – Chuck Patterson, Byron Kurt, Mitch Kahn, and Karen Wrenn finished a much respectable 4th , Hobie Team 3 – TJ Saeman, Bryce Saeman, Bridget Saeman, and Lance Erikson finished 7th and Hobie Team 2 – Tommy Lloy, Colin McPhillips, Hayden Lane, and Jen Hollcomb finished 8th , once again placing Hobie in the top ten.
Overall, Team Hobie walked away from the 2009 Battle of the Paddle with a huge sense of accomplishment. Hobie riders finished high among the worlds paddling
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