Kialoa 'Elele

It has been an honor to be part of the Kialoa  'Elele Ambassador team since 2014.  I am extremely grateful to Marc Angelillo who has encouraged me to be represent this sport to my upmost ability.   He always has words of encouragement, before and after every race. Marc has a very significant role as, what I would call the "Master of Stoke!" He is the owner of NE Surf n' Sales. I regard him as the most professional and knowledgeable sales rep in the industry.  Marc shreds in the surf and on the snow! I have been using the Hulu compression shaft Ultralight. It's wicka'd stiff, and catches true water.

Marc, Russ Scully WND&WVS Owner, SUP legend Johnny O'Hara, and myself hanging out at the  WND&WVS shop in Burlington, VT the day before the race which I won, and set a new course record!

http://www.kialoa.com/kialoa-elele-athletes

http://www.wndnwvs.com

http://www.nesurfnsales.com

Racing in San Diego

On Sunday June 7th, I competed in my first race since moving to San Diego. The Sunday Sunday Sunday 3 race series is held in Mission Bay. I didn't get the result I was hoping for, but I am stoked to be able to compete here in Southern California.

2014 Race Results

               Race Accomplishments

1st place Great Peconic Race Shelter Island, NY 19.5+ mile elite race course

1st place Carolina Cup Wrightsville Beach, NC 2 Man Relay Division 13.2 mile elite race course

1st place Stand Up for the Lake Burlington, VT 6 mile elite race course *(Set new course record)

1st place Newport Harbor SUP Classic Newport, RI 6 mile elite race course

1st place Main Beach Surf & Sport Paddle for Pink Sag Harbor, NY 6 mile elite race course

1st place Main Beach Surf & Sport Paddle for Humanity Wainscott, NY 7 mile elite race course

1st place Cow Harbor Paddle Festival, Northport, NY 6 mile elite race course

1st Sunday Sunday Sunday Paddle Race Series San Diego, CA 1.5 mile sprint race

2nd place Narraganset Bay SUP Championship Narragansett, RI 6 mile elite race course

2nd place Paddle Battle Long Island Riverhead, NY 5 mile race course

2nd place  Sunday Sunday Sunday Paddle Race Series San Diego, CA 4 Mile race course

3rd place Main Beach Surf & Sport  Paddle Race for Baykeeper Sag Harbor, NY 6 mile elite race course

3rd place Newport Sup Cup Newport, RI 6 mile elite race course

3rd place Paddle for the Bays: Race Cape Cod, MA 10 mile elite race course

4th place Soundsurfer Waterman's Challenge Westport, CT 7 mile elite race course

4th place The Endless SUP Race WPA regional championship Belmar, NJ 6 mile elite race course

10th place Cape Cod Bay Challenge on the Charles Boston, MA 4 mile elite sprint race course

12th place Rincon Beach Boy Classic Rincon, Puerto Rico 8 mile elite race course

3rd place at Paddle for the Bays Race in Cape Cod

At the end of September, I headed north up to Massachusetts for the Paddle for the Bays: Race Cape Cod. This was a 10 mile, 2 lap race around an island in Cotuit Bay. The conditions were similar to last year, with winds around 12-15 mph. Patrick Broemmel, and I tied for 1st last year, in a photo finish. I was focused, and really wanted to win. Patrick, Travis Hayes, Chris Begg, and I broke away from the main pack and we each took our own lines since drafting was not allowed.  The strongest winds were on the east side of the island, where we all battled headwinds. Patrick took off and finished 1st. I came in third behind Travis. It was awesome racing against these guys, and getting pushed to paddle my hardest. I was stoked to beat last years time by over 7 minutes.

1st place at the 19.5 mile Great Peconic Race

On Sunday September 14th, I headed over to Shelter Island for the Inaugural Great Peconic Race. I was prepared to paddle a long distance, but I had never circumnavigated Shelter Island. The wind was out of the North-North West and blowing around 20 mph. I knew I was going to have to paddle against the wind at a few long stretches along the course. Going clockwise around the Island was the final call. The toughest parts were on  the west side of the island going south to north,  and the north side of the island heading east; where I encountered strong headwinds and gnarly side chop. On the East side of the island I was able to catch a lot of downwind bumps. I got off the starting line fast and  was able to hold the lead for the whole race.  I was super stoked and exhausted at the finish, and beyond happy to take the win. My finishing time was 03:38:35.

Newport SUP Cup

In September, I headed up to Newport, Rhode Island for the Newport SUP Cup 6 mile race.  I knew there would be some tough competition on hand, and race strategy would play a key part. The race was 2 laps around an island in Newport Harbor. I got off the start with the lead, it was on the other side of the island when Patrick Broemmel, and Travis Hayes caught up, and formed a draft train. Draft trains are highly effective in terms of saving energy while paddling and maintaining pace in the lead pack. I drafted Patrick for awhile, and at one point he fell. But Travis was right there and he pulled away, Patrick put the hammer down and passed me. These guys are power paddlers, and are all around awesome athletes to compete against. I was stoked to place 3rd and go home with a little prize money.

1st place at the Cow Harbor Paddle Fest Race

I headed west to my home town of Huntington to compete in the Cow Harbor Paddle Festival 6 mile race.  I used the same race strategy I've been using the whole season. Get off the line fast, and be the first at the turn buoy. The wind was blowing around 20 mph on my back which made for nice glides to the turn buoy, then it was a full on head wind battle to the finish. Stoked to place 1st and win some prize money. This was my third win a row after Stand up for the the Lake, and Main Beach Paddle for Pink.