Rincon & Race Season!

                                                                   RACE SEASON IS HERE!

First, a quick recap of the Rincon Beach Boy race...WOW- this race has something for everyone! The host hotel Villa Cofresi had a full day of festivities planned with live music , plenty of food and drinks. The race was well organized and spectator friendly.

Over 265 racers competed on Saturday April 13th with sunny skies and a breeze that definitely picked up towards the end of the race. Top paddlers came to the west side of Puerto Rico for this fun filled day. The elite division completed an 8 mile ocean course- with Ryan Helm from the close town Isabela , finishing in first in the 14 ft. board division category and Charles Jaudon topping out the 12'6 category. The women's division was won by Gail Vento from St Thomas.

The Mid Atlantic area was well represented as Ron Gossard took 2nd in the Elite 12'6 division , dawn Ehman took 3rd in the women's Elite division and Mary Catherine Bain took 4th in the womens recreational race.   The strong winds didn't stop the kids race!

Stay a few extra days and enjoy all the other activities the area has to offer. The latest craze-A Fly Board experience.  http://www.facebook.com/#!/FlyboardPuertoRico  or surf lessons, paddle tours, zip lining with www.verdazulpr.com. This is another destination race to mark on your SUP race calendar!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warm weather is here and now for the Mid Atlantic SUP Race Association to kick off the season this weekend! 

The first point series race the Jamestown Challenge is this Saturday, April 20^th! Register online- http://www.jamesriverpaddlechallenge.com/  with the option of a shorter or longer course.

Next weekend the Carolina Cup festivities-certifications, clinics and plenty of race options for all levels, http://wrightsvillebeachpaddleclub.com/about-the-carolina-cup/

Best of luck to everyone racing this weekend, especially Jessica, Karen & Leigh and have FUN!

Cheers & Paddle On! 

Dawn & the OC SUP Fitness Team

SURF EXPO & ORANGE BOWL PADDLE CHAMPIONSHIP

Surf Expo/Orange bowl ….Road trip

Wow….what a road trip-nonstop driving both down and back!  We are missing the sun and warmth already.

There were some great products at Surf Expo-Eco friendly boards, Fishing sup boards, nightsups, new colors everywhere and more companies providing sports attire and accessories for the sport.

After visiting Surf Expo we headed south to Miami to get a warm up paddle in the day before the Orange Bowl.  We went out of the harbor at Bayside Miami and encountered just a little breeze and slight chop. I showed Leigh where she would be paddling the 3 mile course and to look for some manatee.

Once we walked out of the hotel on Sunday and almost got blown over we knew conditions were quite different from the day before.  Strong winds and plenty of chop led to some gnarly conditions.  Staying on your board was the task to be completed then add some strokes!  We both faced the brutal conditions and felt like when you complete a race like that you walk away with a HUGE sense of accomplishment and know you just grew physically and mentally.  Leigh was glad she got to race in a different area, “I haven’t been proud of myself in a long time. I have been in a rut with inspiring myself and this event was very worthwhile and helped ignite me.”



Regardless of the conditions, this race is a fun, well organized race that you will want to mark on your calendars!  Plus getting away to some warm weather in January isn’t a bad idea.

Paddle On,

Dawn & Leigh