Saturday, August 4, 2012

Training Paddles at Brittlebank

Danielle Licari is attempting to motivate us to get in better shape and increase our speed on the water.  We had our first training paddle last Tuesday at Brittlebank Park just in front of the Bristol Marina. I was a little reluctant because I tend to be a little on the lazy side, but I loved it.  The workout was a fun one and she has several more planned for anyone who wants to come out and work hard.  They are structured so all levels can participate, so come out and join us!


6:00 pm Tuesdays opposite Half-moon races
August 14 and 28
Brittlebank Park/Bristol Marina
BYOBoard

Friday, April 27, 2012

Surviving Bohdi's Revenge

It may not have been the "50-year storm" but the conditions at Folly Beach on Sunday morning were described as epic.  Wave action has been pretty minimal over the past year, so it's ironic that the day we held an ocean SUP Race, we had giant surf.  Bhodi's Revenge challenged everyone who participated, and many opted out of the mayhem.  Out of 54 paddlers that registered, 23 completed the course they set out for.  Everyone struggled to get out through the break and often it was pure luck to make it through to the other side.  Some showed their ability to persevere and endured the poundings of the surf longer than others.  Leashes snapped and so did some tempers, and reluctantly many returned to the beach to share stories and drain the salt water from their brains.

Those that made it through (twice for the elite course) experienced amazing rolling and cresting waves well over head high.  One elite finisher (John Beausang of Distressed Mullet) reported that it was "the most fun he had in a race all year."

Despite the drizzle, SUP became a spectator sport at Bohdi's Revenge for a change. The crazy conditions, the carnage in whitewater, perseverance of the paddlers, and the impressive surf skills of the elite entertained all who watched. Racers traded places throughout the competition.  Those lucky enough to catch a wave and actually surf it in often moved up and anyone who could get out quickly was definitely at an advantage.

Check out the results and the amazing pictures.  Half-moon Outfitters and Charleston County Parks and Rec did a stellar job organizing the event.  Sponsors provided incredibly generous prizes (including two Naish boards) and last but not least, the awesome volunteers made everyone's day much better.  A huge thank you to everyone who contributed and participated!  I can't wait for next year!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Charleston Patriot Challenge

From David Hurlock

To all my paddleboard racing friends:

If you're going to race the Carolina Cup, best of luck!  Represent Charleston well. As much as I'd like to go to Wilmington to experience this world class event, and meet the best racers in he world, I have to stay in Charleston and race in the Patriot Challenge.  I'm committed to supporting multi sport paddle races in Charleston. So if you're going to Wilmington, have a great race, and a great time. But if you can't make Wilmington, COME RACE THE PATRIOT CHALLENGE!  

The Elite course is an incredible course along the Battery, to the Marina, and back. (If you've ever walked along the Battery, and thought how cool it would be to paddle there, here's your chance.) The Rec course is 3 miles of flat water out and back, up the Ashley, and will be a fun paddle whether you consider it a race, or just a great paddle with a great group of paddle enthusiasts. Everyone who enters is also entered in a raffle for an Epic V8 surfski and other fantastic prizes. Proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project so it's for a good cause, too. The race starts Saturday at noon at Brittlebank Park.  Come early to register.  

David PS:  With all the talent headed to Wilmington, there might be space on the podium for a few of the rest of us.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Bohdi's Revenge at Folly Beach April 22, 2012 Presented by Half-moon Outfitters and CCPR



Bodhi’s Revenge SUP Race, presented by Half-Moon Outfitters and Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC), comes to Folly Beach on April 22, 2012. Hot on the heels of the exciting Half-Moon Outfitters Golden Nugget SUP Race, Bodhi’s Revenge is the Charleston area’s first and only SUP surf slalom and Battle of the Paddle style event.

This inaugural event, in conjunction with the East Coast Canoe & Kayak Festival, will appeal to intermediate and advanced paddlers as well as spectators. A surf-style race unique to the area, Bodhi’s Revenge will feature a slalom surf course with buoy turns in the impact zone. The intermediate route will featured one loop with a beach sprint, while the elite racers will run the route twice with two beach sprints. The event begins at 8 a.m.

Proceeds from Bodhi’s Revenge SUP Race are going to the Surfrider Foundation of Charleston. This non-profit environmental organization is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's oceans, waves and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research and education (C.A.R.E).

As the race is a World Paddle Association-sanctioned event, event organizers expect that many racers will travel great distances to take part in such a distinctive competition. Cash and prizes will total over $5000.

Bodhi’s Revenge SUP Race is proudly presented by Half-Moon Outfitters and CCPRC. The race is made possible by sponsors Naish and Kialoa.

Join Half-Moon Outfitters and Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission when Bodhi’s Revenge SUP Race brings water sports adventure to Folly Beach, SC, at the Folly Beach Fishing Pier on April 22, 2012 .

For race information contact Janice Fetter at Half-Moon Outfitters at (843) 881-9472 or mtpleasant@halfmoonoutfitters.com.
Registration - includes one-day admission to East Coast Canoe & Kayak Festival, pint glass and Saturday night pre-party at James Island County Park. 
Fee: $40.00 – Online registration ends April 17 on-site registration available April 20 at the East Coast Canoe & Kayak Festival 
Bohdi’s Revenge Proposed Race Course: 
April 22, 2012, 
8 am 
Race begins at 8:00 am starting at 2nd Street (East), Folly Beach. Boards can be dropped off there or at the County Park access in front of the pier. Parking will be available in both areas.
All racers will begin at Start/Finish line.
Intermediate racers will make one 2 mile loop out through the surf, around all buoys and return to shore at the Beach Landing and have a 50 yard straight beach sprint at the end to finish back at the starting line.
Elite racers will make two loops with one beach landing in between. They will make a 25 yard “Elite only” beach sprint through the horseshoe between loops. Board handlers will assist and racers will return to the water and repeat the 2mile course loop and will finish with the 50 yard straight beach sprint to finish at the starting line.
Note: Distance of race course to pier is over 200 ft at all times.
All racers are required to wear leashes and have Coast Guard approved PFDs. The course may change given conditions of the day and to provide a fun, fair and safe race.

 

Monday, February 20, 2012

Sea Island Rotary Adventure Biathlon Saturday - March 10th, 2012



Runners and Paddlers Unite for the Sea Island Rotary Adventure Biathlon!

Location: Hunting Island State Park in Beaufort SC. Take Hwy 21 S through Beaufort toward Fripp and Hunting Islands. Note: Hunting Island is approximately 15 miles from Beaufort and the park entrance tends to back up so allow plenty of time.
Course: Paddlers will start and finish at the base of the Lagoon located near South Beach Parking 'J'. The kayak leg will go south out of the lagoon and then turn right into Fripp Inlet until circling a buoy for the return leg. Paddle leg is between 5 and 6 miles. Upon beaching your boat back at the base of the lagoon, the running leg will be approximately 4.5 miles through a pristine forest. Some of the course may be on primitive trails. This is an Adventure Race and you can expect some light challenges (no orienteering!).

Start Time: 11:00AM * remember to come early enough to off load kayak and enter Park through gate. Park entrance requires either a State Park pass or one day pass. Gate tends to back up during peak times.
Park Admissions Fee - cost per person
Adults: $5.00
SC Seniors: $3.25
Children 6-15: $3.00
Children 5 & Under: Free
* Chip Timing will be used which allows us to provide split times for paddle and run, as well as compute results accurately and fast.
** Racers will be accessed and responsible for a $30.00 lost chip fee.

Age Groups and Awards: 57 Awards given! TOP 8 MALE/FEMALE SOLO, TOP 3 MALE/FEMALE MASTERS SOLO (OVER 50), TOP 3 ALL MALE RELAY, FEMALE RELAY, MIXED RELAY, TOP 2 MALE TANDEM,TOP 2 FEMALE TANDEM,TOP2 MIXED TANDEM,TOP 2 MALE/FEMALE SUP, TOP SUP RELAY TEAM MALE/FEMALE/MIXED.

Categories: Solo, Relay (1 participant paddles and different participant runs), and Tandem (both participants paddle a tandem ((2 person) kayak and both participants must run and finish race together), SUP (Stand Up Paddleboards) Solo or Relay.

Register early!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Shamrock SUP Race - March 17, 2012 in the Folly River

Happy New Year!  I hope you have all enjoyed this wonderful "winter" and if you haven't been paddling, it's time to start up again!

Jon Ory of SUP Safaris has planned another fun event and is celebrating the opening of his new shop on Folly.  Check out the details below and I hope to see you out in your green!

Contact: (843) 817 – 7877, bigjon@charlestonsupsafaris.com

What:
Shamrock SUP Race on the Folly River -
Stand Up Paddleboard Race to benefit Pet Helpers & Emerson Rose Heart Foundation to include a SUP Cleanup presented by Charleston SUP Safaris and Flipper Finders.

When: Saturday, March 17, 2012
Registration at 8am
Races: 9:00-12:00 pm
  • 10K Elite Race @ 9:00am
  • 5K Recreational Race 9:05am
  • Kids Race 10:45am
  • Dog SUP 11:00am

Where:
Charleston SUP Safaris
83 Center St
Folly Beach, SC 29439
Race will start and end at the Folly Marina Boat Landing

More info:
All are invited to join us for the 1st ever Shamrock SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) Race!
Categories for all ability levels. There is even a category for you and your dog! The
theme is Go Green- think green, act green and wear green in the spirit of St. Pattyʼs
Day and be eligible to win great prizes! SUP CleanUP, Charleston Waterkeepers and
Surfrider Foundation will provide educational info about being Green on our waterways.
Great prizes to be raffled and a silent auction.

Divisions and Entry Fees:
10K Elite - $35 (includes t-shirt)
5K Recreation - $35 (includes t-shirt)
Kids (14 & under) - $20
Dog SUP (all ages) - $20
SUP boards will be available for rent for $10 on the day of the race, courtesy of
Charleston SUP Safaris, and Liquid Shredder.

Please join us for at the 83 Center St for the Awards ceremony and then move the after
party onto Center St for the St. Patrickʼs Day Celebration.

Pre-registration is encouraged. Registration forms can be picked up at Charleston SUP
Safaris, or downloaded from www.charlestonsupsafaris.com