PaddleFest: Nov 5, 2011 on Beautiful Hunting Island Near Beaufort, SC

If you have never been to Hunting Island, you should go--it's a beautiful place. PaddleFest, sponsored by HigherGround, is the perfect reason to make the trip.  The race is open to pretty much anything you can paddle and you have the option of 5K or 10K race.  They have great ocean front camping, trails for hiking or biking, and lots to see along the way.

Categories
K1
Surf Ski, Racing Kayak
Touring Sea Kayak (16’ & greater)
Recreational Sea Kayak (Under 16’)
Tandem/Double Kayak/Canoe
C1
OC1 Outrigger
C2
SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboard)

RACE DAY SCHEDULE
(Rain or Shine)
11:00 am Registration
12:30 am Racers’ Meeting
1:00 pm Start
2:30 pm Awards Ceremony & Cookout at Parking Lot J
at Hunting Island State Park



Higher Ground is sponsoring the race along with many other generous donors.  It benefits The Friends of Hunting Island.
More Information
Registration

The Evolution of SUP Events...Ongoing!

I was recently emailing back and forth with John Beausang, the man behind distressedmullet.com, possibly THE "go to" website for SUP news and insights, particularly here on the east coast. There has been a lot of talk about the breakdown of the divisions for SUP races...14', 12'-6", unlimited, rec boards versus race boards, etc, etc. Who gets the best prizes...who gets the money...how are things evolving? What size / length board to buy?

John then wrote a "spot on" article about the current state of this topic last night. Please see it on his website, http://www.distressedmullet.com/?p=12887.

Bottom line - there are lots of opinions. There are MANY factors at play. My current opinion is that the take home is to ride what feels good to you, do your best, have fun and try to keep the sport as positive as possible. Hop on as many different boards as you can...keeping versatile, trying various shapes and sizes. At the same time, it is tons of fun to go out and compete against the "best", see where you stack up, if you can do better than your last race, etc. Maybe you'll win a prize...maybe not. But, the key is to keep having fun. Be serious....but maybe not TOO serious, particularly when the race is over. No one is going to support their family income by being a SUP racer, at least not most of us. BUT, that's not to say it can't be fun to travel around to various races and events and race your heart out and see how far you can push your body (and mind).

Some concern seems to center around who is getting the prizes, the recognition, the money. Do you race the elite course with a long race board and see how you do against the "best guys out there"? Or, use a shorter race board, race the rec course (against racers on planing hull / rec boards), and have a better chance of winning prizes, money, etc. Probably no "right" answer. No one should get angry if someone fast drops down to the short course for a particular race...just as in running or cycling, there are people who like to mix up sprinting with longer races. If everyone keeps a positive attitude, the sport will continue to grow, attract new people, good energy, and that's really the goal.

And, our sport is still very, very young with regard to the racing and competing side of things. So, a lot of this is yet to be seen and decided. Fun to talk about, though.

Many thanks to John, and others like him, who are doing great things to advance stand up paddling, raise these topics, and organize great events.

Make sure you check out his website (www.distressedmullet.com). Particularly, this most recent article with the link posted above.

November Event in Wrightsville! Surf to Sound

Another fun Wrightsville Event is on tap - Saturday, November 19th. This looks to be a fun race, including a beach start, paddle out through the surf (could be small, could be big!), some open ocean paddling, then into the intracoastal waterway. A fun opportunity to challenge yourself and compete in some different, fun conditions. For those who might want to keep things simple, there is also a nice race course that stays inside the shelter of the intracoastal waterway. Both courses will finish at the same spot...should be a great spectator friendly event. Check out this link (www.surftosoundchallenge.com) for details about the race, lodging (great rates), etc. Cash and other prizes...and social events before and after the race are always great with the Wilmington / Wrightsville crew. Could be an easy day trip. Or, sign up early to secure great rates at the event hotel.

2011 Half-moon Outfitters Golden Nugget Race Results and Photos

The race results and times for the 2011 Golden Nugget are posted on the Half-moon Outfitters site!   Thank you again to Half-moon and especially Janice Fetter for all of the hard work; it really was an excellent event.  I had a great time and hope everyone else did too. 
Check out the fantastic pictures from the day.  If you have some photos that you would like to share, please send them my way (lovett.beth@gmail.com) and I will post or link to them.
Enjoy the cool weather--hope to see you soon!

Just in Case You Haven't Had Enough Fun Lately - SUPer Scary SUP Race

SUPer Scary SUP Race sponsored by Charleston SUP Safaris

Sunset Cay Yacht Club

66 W. 9th Street Ext.

Folly Beach, SC

Saturday, October 29 · 10:00am - 2:00pm

Proceeds from the event to benefit Pet Helpers and the Breast Cancer Research (Please visit www.pethelpers.org)

Divisions:
____ 10K Elite____ 5K Recreation ____ Kids Race ____ Dog SUP Race

Entry Fee: $25 - Elite & Recreation Divisions (includes Tshirt)
$12 - Kids* (12 & under) & Dog SUP * (all ages)

SUP boards will be available for rent for $10 on the day of the race, courtesy of Charleston SUP Safaris

Prizes awarded for top 3 finishers in each category.
Dress up in the spirit of Halloween and be eligible to win additional prizes!

Please join us at the after party, from 2-8pm, with live music, drinks, and food by Sunset Cay Restaurant.

Please make checks payable to Charleston SUP Safaris & mail to: SUP Race PO Box 1323, Folly Beach, SC. 29439.

Race Director: Jon Ory- bigjon@charlestonsupsafaris.com 843.817.SUPS(7877)