Byron Kurt Wins Australian National Distance Paddling Title

SUP long Course Relay Nat Titles from Ocean Sports Media on Vimeo.

Not sure if Chuck is racing next weekend but Byron surely is!
Team Hobie!
Byron Kurt Wins Australian National Distance Paddling Title

The Australian National Distance Titles took place December 12th & 13th at Coffs Harbor. Saturday’s 27km distance race was intended to be a down winder, but the downwind never showed. Instead, the downwind was replaced by a fresh 12 mph headwind that turned the race into a "27 km mile washing machine" that tested racers abilities, stamina, and strength. The only respite was the fact that the race could be done as a relay.

At the end of the grueling 27km, the race was won solo by Hobie’s Byron Kurt of California using a custom shaped 14’ Hobie Race Board , and fellow team rider Tommy Lloy who also did the race solo finished 6th on a similar 14.

“Looking back and not seeing another SUP close, I was happy to see the finish line at the pier in the harbor. I was gassed. Tommy finished 6th overall which was great since he does not train at all, just surfs. Tommy will be a serious threat if he trains and takes racing serious. He finished a very respectable 7th overall at this year’s Rainbow Sandals Battle of the Paddle and I feel that there will be more great finishes from him in the future” commented Byron

27KM RELAY RACE – 12th December 2009

At the 12km 1/2 way mark and the changeover the positions were:

1st – Byron Kurt – Hobie 14 -Solo
2nd – Pete Meyer – Naish 14
3rd – Mick Di Betta – LahuKai 14
4th – Simon Dodd – C4 14
5th – Noel Graham DC17
6th – Tommy Lloy – Hobie 14 – Solo
7th – Alison Fullager – Naish 14
8th – Jasleigh Geary – Naish 14
9th – Rod Clarke – DC16
10th – Sue Sheard – DC16 with a broken rudder (DNF)

At the 27km finish in the harbour the final results were:

1st – Byron Kurt – Hobie 14 – Solo
2nd – Paul Jackson (Pete Meyer) – Naish 14
3rd – Shakira Westdorp (Mick Di Betta) – LahuKai 14
4th – Sunny Russell (Noel Graham) – DC17
5th – Will Anido (Simon Dodd) – C4 14
6th – Tommy Lloy- Hobie 14 – Solo
7th – Mark Waldeck (Alison) – Naish 14
8th – Angela Van Hoof (Jasleigh) – Naish 14
9th – Brett Williams (Rod Clarke) – DC16
10th – Sue Sheard DC16 – DC16 with a broken rudder (DNF)