Half-Moon Open Ocean Challenge (formerly Bodhi’s Revenge)

 Don't miss out on this great race!  

April 21, 2013 9am Fishing Pier at Folly Beach, SC [map] Packet Pickup: Fri. Apr. 19th between 10am-6pm or Sat. Apr. 20th between 10am-6pm at the Half-Moon Outfitters Mt. Pleasant store. Race Course Map: View the course map (8.5" x 11" PDF - updated 2/27/2013). Race Start: 9am   Half Moon Open Ocean Challenge (formerly Bodhi’s Revenge) , presented by Half-Moon Outfitters and Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC), comes to Folly Beach, South Carolina on April 21, 2012. Hot on the heels of the exciting Golden Nugget SUP Race, Half-Moon Open Ocean Challenge is the Charleston area’s only SUP surf slalom and Battle of the Paddle style event. This event will appeal to intermediate and advanced paddlers as well as spectators. A unique surf-style race to the area, Half-Moon Open Ocean Challenge will feature a slalom surf course with buoy turns in the impact zone. The 2 mile short course will featured one loop with a beach sprint, while the long course will run the route twice with two beach sprints. The Half-Moon Open Ocean Challenge will benefit the Charleston Waterkeeper. Charleston Waterkeeper is a data-driven, nonprofit organization focused 100% on water quality issues in the Ashley/Cooper River Basin and protecting Charleston's right to swimmable, drinkable, fishable water.   www.charlestonwaterkeeper.org The race is a World Paddle Association Regional Event, so racers are expected to travel great distances to come to such a distinctive competition. Register today online at: http://go-greenevents.com/OpenOceanChallenge

Charleston Area 2013 SUP Race & Event Calendar

Here are some of the events going on in the Charleston area in 2103, so put them on your calendar and start training (or just come for the social aspect).  If you are new to Stand Up or have never raced before, come out!  Races are a great way to meet new people to paddle with and push yourself to a new level.  There are always categories for beginners as well as experienced.

I compiled this list from some messy notes, so if there are any change, additions or mistakes, please let me know.

Hunting Island Adventure Biathlon - March 9
Race Headquarters Higher Ground
Beaufort
843-379-4327

Shamrock SUP Race - March 16, 2013
Sponsored by SUP Safaris
Folly River
843-817-SUPS

Patriot Challenge - April 13
Brittlebank Park, Charleston
843-813-2824

Half-Moon Open Ocean Challenge (Bohdi's Revenge) - April 21
Presented by Half-Moon Outfitters and Charleston County Parks and Recreation
Folly Beach Pier
843-881-9472

East Coast Paddlesports and Outdoor Festival - April 19-21
BIC One Design Challenge
James Island County Park

Half-Moon Tuesday Night Race Series
843-881-9472

Shem Creek Shootout - July 13
Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant
843-814-8796

NEW!! Chucktown Showdown - September 13-15
"Battle at the Battery"
Brittlebank Park, Charleston

4th Annual Golden Nugget - October 12
Presented by Half-Moon Outfitters and Charleston County Parks and Recreation
Shem Creek, Mt. Pleasant
843-813-2824

SUPer Scary SUP Race -  Oct 26, 12pm-2pm
Sponsored by SUP Safaris
Folly River
843-817-SUPS

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

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!

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.

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.

 

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!