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.

Defending my Title at Main Beach's Paddle for Pink Race

I came back to Main Beach's Paddle for Pink with a lot of motivation and stoke. After winning this event last year, I knew exactly what I had to do. There were some pro paddlers from Long Island and New England on hand. Light winds made for perfect racing conditions. I put my head down and concentrated on getting to the first turn buoy first. I had a really good start off the line, and never looked back.

Big win at Stand Up for the Lake Race

In the beginning of August, I headed up to Vermont for the Wnd&Wvs Stand Up for the Lake 6 mile race. Last year I placed 3rd, behind power houses Russ Scully and Thor Emery. I was very focused on doing well at this race, I visualized exactly what I had to do. I pulled away from the lead pack a few hundred yards after the start, and never looked back. I was so stoked to win, and set a new course record beating last years time by a minute.

Women's winner April Zilg and I. Stoked!

Battling through at Paddle Battle Long Island

At the end of July I planned on competing at the Paddle Battle Long Island 12 mile race. I got pretty sick  with a cold a day before and decided to pull out of the 12 mile and enter the 5 miler. The conditions were ideal on the Peconic river; light winds with an incoming tide. I was stoked to place 2nd, despite being very sick.

A humbling defeat

 In the middle of July, I headed up to Boston for the Cape Cod Bay Challenge event series; Challenge on the Charles race. All of New England's top racers were on hand for the 4 mile sprint race. I had a great start, and was setting the pace along with Chris Begg who was on an unlimited board. At about the 1 mile mark,  I caught a good size seaweed ball on my fin. I didn't realize it at the time, and I was so focused on holding my position and pace that I continued to paddle hard. It wasn't until the 2nd to last buoy turn that I jumped off my board and grabbed the hand full of seaweed off my fin and continued on in frustration, finishing in 10th place. I learned a lot about fin selection that day, but more importantly how to react when something doesn't feel right. I lacked the ability to trust my gut instinct, and instead paddled myself into exhaustion.

I snapped this picture on the ferry ride home from Boston. I was able to reflect on being defeated that day, and reminded myself to never give up.

NSP and Travis Grant Paddle clinic and Media day in NYC

In June, I was invited  by Ed Gerbino of NSP /Global Surf Industries to attend Travis Grant's Perfect paddle stroke clinic. Travis is a fellow NSP Global team rider and ranked 4th in the world. He is from Australia and lives in Hawaii.  He recently placed 2nd in the 32 mile Molokai to Oahu world paddle championships. Travis analyzed my paddle stroke and gave me very valuable feedback.  He also took part in a groundbreaking electromyography study. Check it out: http://www.suplogix.com/travis-grant-emg-analysis/

June racing recap

June started out with the Endless SUP Race 6 Mile ocean race down in Bradley Beach, New Jersey.  This was a WPA region 8 championship race. I entered both the 1 mile sprint race, and 6 mile ocean elite race. I placed 4th in the sprint race behind top California pro racers Chuck Patterson, Thomas Maximus, and Brandon Rambo. The top 5 guys were all on 14' boards. The course was technical with 4 buoy turns and 2 laps to the finish.

Kialoa and 404 sup team rider  Women's winner Dani Schmidt and I

I had a bad start in the 6 mile race, but managed to get close to the lead pack which again was Chuck, Thomas, and Brandon. They maintained a fast pace for the whole race. I tried my best to catch up to their draft train, but I was stoked to place 4th behind those 3 guys who are all awesome paddlers. My finishing time was 1:16:25 

On June 21st I headed over to Wainscott for Main Beach's Paddle for Humanity 6.5 mile ocean race. The race was originally planned as a downwinder, but wound up being a upwinder going west to east ending in Amagansett.  2 top Northeast racers Lars Svanberg and Andrew Glidden along with myself formed a draft train that lasted a good portion of the race. Towards the finish I was able to break away and take the win. 

 At the end of June, I headed up to Rhode Island for the Narragansett Bay SUP championship race. The conditions were perfect with very light winds. I tried my best to catch up to New England's best racer and shaper Patrick Broemmel. I was stoked to place 2nd.