08-Jun-2010 02:48 p.m.

Battle of the Paddle

Surf Race time...

You may have seen Jeremy take off locally on the super sleek and fast Starboard 12'6" Surf Race board... now he's really putting it to test, at the worlds "greatest championship styled SUP race", the Rainbow Sandals Gerry Lopez Battle of the Paddle at Waikiki, 12-13 June 2010. 

Starboard NZ's Jeremy Stephenson, Campbell Farrell and Mark Houghton will paddle the Surf Race boards in the Elite Race on Saturday afternoon, an offshore course circuit designed to challenge competitor's technical, athletic and surfing skills.  Elite Race competitors must ride stock class (12'6" or shorter) SUP boards and must complete three (3) laps (approximate total distance of 5.0 miles) of the circuit.  Each lap will also include an exchange area where competitors must beach their boards for a short run around a flagged course. 

First prize in the Open Mens race is $5000 - and the competition is tough.  Last year's winner Jamie Mitchell (AUS) completed the race in 1hr 07m 45s, with Slater Trout nearly two minutes behind.

Team Starboard NZ will also compete in the 10 mile Long Distance Race - Hawaii Kai Run on Sunday June 13, which will have three SUP craft categories (12’6” stock, 14 ft. and unlimited) and will start from Maunalua Bay Beach Park and finish at Ft. DeRussy Beach Park. And to really put their skills (and fitness) to the test, Starboard will make up a team for the SUP Surf Relay Race on Sunday afternoon.

The SUP Surf Relay Race will be made up of four (4) person teams with at least one (1) female per team.  Competitors race on stock (12'6" or under) SUP boards and will compete four (4) laps of an off-shore circuit that will also include an exchange area where they must beach their equipment for a short sand run around a flagged course.  Each member of the relay team must complete (1) lap of the course in relay fashion. Only one (1) board can be used for the SUP Surf Relay race. 

Jeremy and Mark fly to Hawaii this Saturday to meet up with Campbell for a Molokai - Oahu training run before the Battle of the Paddle. 

GO TEAM STARBOARD!

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