New Champions for 2012
The dramatic final at Takapuna for the NZ SUP Slalom proved that in events like this, it really is "anyone's race". 19-year-old dinghy sailor Marcus Hansen and his rival Annabel Anderson battled it out round after round to place 1st and 3rd respectively in the Open Finals, and Armie Armstrong 2nd.
All three paddlers overtook 2011 Champion Jeremy Stephenson from behind when he took a critical fall at the bottom mark that cost him the race, coming in 4th place. In 5th place was Shayne Baxter, the NZ SUP Surfing Champion, 6th Gavin Houghton, 7th Troy Huston, and 8th Greg Barfoot. Big ups to the Starboard NZ Dream Team!
The Takapuna Beach race was a short 'M' course in moderate onshore (Easterly) winds, with half a metre swells providing extra challenging conditions for paddlers, most of whom were racing the dugout canoe or "clog" boards, the Starboard Ace or New. These boards are designed for racing in flat to choppy waters, but surfing down the waves takes a certain level of skill. Turning the board on a wave is difficult, and there were plenty of spills as paddlers tried to round the bottom mark inside the shore break.
Marcus took the Overall Mens 2012 NZ SUP Champion title and trophy home for his performance yesterday when combined with his 2nd placing on Saturday. The results were weighted toward Sunday's racing to avoid any possible first equals.
Annabel took home the Open Womens 2012 Trophy, after placing 1st in the Open Race on Saturday. Stacey Smith placed second in the Open Womens division in the King of the Harbour race on Saturday and the Slalom on Sunday. In the Masters division, Mark Houghton suffered from a fall mid race in the Semi-finals that saw his board blown away, and ending his chances of making it through to the Open Final. Shane Murell placed 1st in Masters, Phil Brown 2nd, and Mark Houghton 3rd.
The Novice race saw a whole bunch of new racers braving the chop. Bruce Miller placed first, Josh Nixon second and James Bradshaw third. In the Novice Womens, Kristin Percy placed first, Emma Comrie-Thompson second, and Rosie Houghton 3rd. Stealing the thunder with awesome performances, promising junior paddlers Oliver Houghton 1st, Jack Evans 2nd and Nadia Murrell 3rd, all charged through the waves, leading the novice heats and giving spectators a glimpse of the sport's bright future.
Congratulations to all those who competed in the NZ SUP Champs Slalom.
Hyundai Tour 2012
Self-titled “SUP Ninja” Shayne Baxter has played bridesmaid to Hyundai Tour champion Kereopa for three years, but proved himself in fighting form this year, claiming the most prestigious event on the Hyundai Tour, the 50th Annual NZ National Surfing Championships at Piha...
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Pauanui Shoe Island Challenge
The forecast is for clear skies and light winds heading in to next weekend's stunning 10km race around the towering sea-cliffs of Shoe Island from Pauanui beach...
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New Champions for 2012
Marcus Hansen, 19, and Annabel Anderson, 30, on epic form in the NZ SUP Slalom Festival race on April 1st. Last year's titleholder Jeremy Stephenson took a fall at the critical bottom mark, leaving the way clear for Marcus, Armie Armstrong and Annabel Anderson to take the lead positions... and come away with overall trophies in the Open Mens and Open Womens race.
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Annabel steals King's crown
Not many girls can claim an elite crown in any sport when they’re racing the boys, but yesterday Champion Stand Up Paddler Annabel Anderson took out the King of the Harbour Race with ease in the 12’6 Open Class.
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King of the Harbour Race Brief
All paddlers must check in with compulsory leash, flare and PFD at Hobson West Marina, Downtown Auckland, at 9am for 10.20am ferry departure. Safety Briefing is outlined here.
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NZ SUP CHAMPS GUIDELINES
Easterlies forecast for the weekend mean Saturday's King of the Harbour Race will be Course A, from Waiheke to Auckland, finishing off the end of the Hilton from 2pm. Race guidelines for both Saturday and Sunday are outlined below.
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SUP Festival
Stand Up Paddle Festival at Takapuna Beach this Sunday... exciting slalom races, kids activities, beginners lessons, demos and huge SUP Expo with all the latest gear from around the country on display...
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Paddlers Stand Up for King of the Harbour
Kicking off with a gruelling 25km downwind challenge, then knockout SUP slalom racing on Sunday, this hardcore endurance event will see New Zealand’s elite paddlers battling it out on the Waitemata next weekend for the coveted double King of the Harbour and NZ SUP Champion crown.
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That First Glide
Hawaiian Extreme Watersports Pioneer Mike Waltze is in Auckland next week for the New Zealand premier of his new Stand Up Paddle film, That First Glide, to screen with a special feature wrapping up the 2012 Hyundai Tour by Greenroom Productions.
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CamSur World Paddle Challenge
Stand Up World Series event in the Philippines scheduled for 19-22 April
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2012 Hyundai Tour Finale
Huge surf and 30-knot onshores in store for a stormy Port Waikato Final this Saturday. Starboard rider Shayne Baxter is holding down the number one spot against defending champion Daniel Kereopa. This will be a true battle of the paddle! Surf Race conditions super-gnarly... with Armie Armstrong and Jeremy Stephenson in a two-horse race for the the King of the Waves 2012 title.
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Ocean Safety Workshop
Starboard in association with Seawise and Takapuna Boating Club brings you the absolute essential Open Ocean Workshop, with local Marine Safety experts and experienced offshore watermen Jeremy Stephenson and Campbell Farrell. If you're paddling more than 200m offshore, this is a must-attend course.
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New SUP Club Membership Offer
The hottest beachfront location in town has opened it's doors to Stand Up Paddlers with a special membership offer - 18 months for the price of 12. Get in quick - this offer expires end March 2012!
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Barrier Mission - Tick!
Troy Huston and Bevan Gooch successfully completed the first 45km SUP crossing to Great Barrier Island on Sunday...
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Baxter claims 2012 National Title
Starboard rider Shayne Baxter claimed the NZ SUP Champion trophy at the 50th Annual NZ Surfing Champs in Piha, January 2012...
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Stand Up World Series 2012 Update
New Zealand has postponed the provisional Stand Up World Series Event until 2013, when it will become one of the most exciting events on the calendar
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Namotu World Paddle Challenge Fiji 2011
Starboard NZ are heading to Fiji next week to get amongst it at the first of the Stand Up World Series events, the Namotu World Paddle Challenge. We've hooked you up an awesome package deal at Tavarua or Namotu Islands, so please, come and join the party!
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A Sea of Pink
Stand Up Paddler and breast cancer survivor Karin Horen has come up with a great way to support the vital work of The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation. It’s called the Paddle For Hope - a fun, family orientated Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) relay race in the Viaduct. With your help, Karin aims to raise over $60K to fight Breast Cancer Foundation. Read Karin's story...
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Sneak Preview of upcoming SUP Events
The 2011-2012 Summer of SUP is nearly upon us, so to make your training schedule planning easier we're letting you in on the dates and locations of all the events to put on your calendar!
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Namotu Challenge 2011
The Waterman League has announced the Namotu World Paddle Challenge Fiji, presented by Air Pacific. This groundbreaking event will take place from the 13th - 18th November in Fiji and consist of 3 major races: * 14th November: The Race to Namotu (19 mile downwinder that will leave the intercontinental at Natadola Beach, pass the infamous Cloudbreak and Tavarua Island, to finish at the beautiful island of Namotu) * 16th November: The Surf Slalom (Dynamic and technical surf slalom through the surf at Namotu) * 18th November: The Fun race and Relays (Fun races and relays for all the family regardless of age, sex or gender)
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Molokai 2011
5th in the World! Congratulations Jeremy Stephenson, who finished the treacherous Ka'iwi Channel crossing in just 4h 51m to place 2nd in his division. Annabel Anderson finished strongly in just 5h 34m to place 3rd in the Unlimited Womens, while Armie Armstrong came through 1st in the 14'0 Stock Class in just 5h 28m. Way to go Kiwis, top 5 in the world, you rock!
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6th Annual Naish Paddle Championships Maui
Proving we got what it takes, New Zealander Jeremy Stephenson placed 5th in the Unlimited Division, Troy McAsey 4th in the 12'6'' and Annabel Anderson 2nd overall in the 6th Annual Naish Paddleboard Champs Maui 2011. Go Team NZ!
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Winter Series 2011
The 2011 Winter Series continues this Thursday at Kohimarama. After perfect weather conditions for Race 1 and 2, Troy Huston leads the Open Mens. Exciting racing to watch and participate in... schedule a meeting and get away from work early for the 4.45pm race start!
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Shayne Baxter
The newest addition to the Starboard NZ Dream Team, Shayne Baxter, has come on board with SUPSNZ in Auckland, and is now available for one-on-one and group training sessions. Contact Shayne on 021 106 0501.
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Auckland Champions crowned
The first Auckland Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Champions were crowned last month in New Zealand’s inaugural dedicated SUP race event, the 2011 Hyundai Auckland City Series, with nearly 100 Competitors in the three-race series battling wind, tide and boat wakes around a 10km course on the sparkling Waitemata.
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Aotearoa Aito 2011
This year we're joining forces with the team from the Aotearoa Aito to bring you even more Pacific style fun in the sun on Kohimarama Beach, 16 April 2011, in Day One (Distance Race) of the Hyundai NZ SUP Championships
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Group Training Sessions
Develop your SUP skills and get ready for Nationals under the guidance of top International paddler Annabel Anderson... she's only here until 20 April, so get in quick!
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Starboard Summer Series Event 2
Sun, sand and sea were all sparkling for the 55 competitors in last weekend's second Hyundai Auckland City Series Event, with Jeremy Stephenson taking out the lead in the Open Mens 10km race, and Annabel Anderson the Open Womens.
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Molokai2Oahu 2011
Time to put in some serious downwind training... the 15th Annual Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard World Champs are scheduled for July 31st 2011 in Hawaii, with entries opening online March 15th.
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Starboard Summer Series
The first event in the Hyundai Auckland City Series went off to a flying start in 20 knot nor-easterlies at Takapuna on Saturday 12 February, with an exciting five-lap course won by Jeremy Stephenson (12'6'' class), Troy Huston (Unlimited class) and Mike Ward (Surfboard Class).
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Stand Up Paddle Fitness Craze hits NZ
Get more out of your training with Stand Up Paddle FItness at Les Mills Victoria Street.
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Warriors Battle Waves
The Vodafone Warriors jumped on board a new cross-training fitness session with Annabel Anderson and Starboard NZ Dream Team riders at Takapuna.
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King of the Waves
Daniel Kereopa has claimed the crown in the inaugural Starboard SUP Surf Race at Piha's Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour this weekend...
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Starboard Summer Series Open
Online Entries are open for the Starboard Summer Series
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Gold in Paris!
Kiwi Annabel Anderson battles snow and icicles on her paddle to win a 10km SUP Race across Paris on Saturday...
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Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour
The Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour with Starboard Stand Up Paddle Surf Contest continues this weekend at Mount Maunganui February 19-20, 2011. Come and watch the action, or get out on the water with NZ's best...
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SUP Race Clinics
Want to get more out of your paddling? Come along to our free training workshops for some hot race tips and techniques from some of our top water men and women. Starts Monday 6 December, Takapuna Beach 5-7pm
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Thursday RAYC Paddle
Royal Akarana Yacht Club two-weekly social SUP and Ski Paddle Race - Thursday evenings, 3.5 and 10km courses, bar/bbq open... briefing at 5.45pm. Next race: 9 Dec 2010
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Siiick waves Cam!
Campbell Farrell goes west to find gold in Western Australia with old mates Pro-Windsurfer Jason Polakow and Starboard Designer Scott McKercher...
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Annabel in winning form
Starboard NZ's Annabel Anderson has been paddling up a storm in the UK this season in the lead up to key European events in Germany and Holland, including the Invitational Pro Jever SUP World Cup Race in Hamburg.
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Boofee Gets Frank
Its no Hawaii but Here she is, the continuation of 'Livin it & Lovin it' articles, Starboard at the forefront of Sexy Times all the Time! Troy Huston (Boofee) goes to Queenstown in his latest epic column for Get Frank magazine.
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Battle of the Paddle
Battle of the Paddle Hawaii 12 & 13 June - Jeremy Stephenson and Mark Houghton join Campbell Farrell in Hawaii this weekend to represent Starboard NZ on the new Starboard 12'6 Surf Race in the Elite, Downwind and Surf Relay events...
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Sunday Fundays
Last Sunday was such perfect weather we threw in an extra "funday" with a 19km paddle on the Waitemata... we'll keep you updated on the next event.
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Molokai to Oahu 2010
Starboard NZ team in Top Five! Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race, Sunday July 25, 2010. The 14th consecutive year of this challenging 32 mile crossing of the Ka'iwi Channel ("channel of bones") in Hawaii.
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Whaingaroa Hoe 17th April
Jeremy Stephenson was back in winning form on Saturday 17th April, with newcomer Lucinda Maunsell winning the womens.
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Charity Race wraps up Takapuna Beach Series
The popular Takapuna Beach Series drew to a close Tuesday 23 March with a fancy dress race to raise funds for Canteen, and was followed by the last supper - SUPSNZ's very own prizegiving with egg-on-your-face awards for those priceless moments of the summer of 2009/2010.
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Aotearoa Aito 10 April 2010
Starboard's Victoria Stuart won the Women's SUP division in the 2010 Aotearoa Aito at Kohimarama Beach on Saturday, 10 April, finishing the 6km Starboard Sponsored SUP race in 1 hr 55 sec.
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Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour Finals 26/27 May
The closing round of the Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour took place Friday 26th / Saturday 27th May at Port Waikato's Sunset Beach, with Starboard's Jeremy Stephenson and Sean Hovell dropping in under favourites Shayne Baxter and Lynden Kennings
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Upcoming events
That First Glide
Hawaiian Extreme Watersports Pioneer Mike Waltze is in Auckland next week for the New Zealand premier of his new Stand Up Paddle film, That First Glide, to screen with a special feature wrapping up the 2012 Hyundai Tour by Greenroom Productions.
Read more
Paddlers Stand Up for King of the Harbour
Kicking off with a gruelling 25km downwind challenge, then knockout SUP slalom racing on Sunday, this hardcore endurance event will see New Zealand’s elite paddlers battling it out on the Waitemata next weekend for the coveted double King of the Harbour and NZ SUP Champion crown.
Read more
SUP Festival
Stand Up Paddle Festival at Takapuna Beach this Sunday... exciting slalom races, kids activities, beginners lessons, demos and huge SUP Expo with all the latest gear from around the country on display...
Read more
