SURF: Wrightsville Beach, NC: knee to waist and semi-clean. The wind will be on it soon. So if you’re going to go, Go.
WEATHER: Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 90s…except in the lower 90s at the beaches. Heat index values up to 106. WIND: Southwest winds 15 to 20 mph. TIDES: High Tide: 7:55:00 Am, Low Tide:1:52PM RECCO: Downwinder. D-o-w-n-w-i-n-d-e-r. Point to point paddling. two cars. Drop one car at the bend by dockside (leave towels and drinks in this car) and drive the other to trails end. Paddle north. Ride the bumps. It’s a blast. Saty out of teh way of boat traffic. And bring lots of water. It’s a 106 heat index out there.
THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYONE WHO CAME TO THE EVENT. We were able to raise alot of money for Surfers Healing and the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue Hospital. I just woke up after sleeping for 14 hours and feel great. Thank you so much to all the volunteers. Where the event lacked in organization, it made up in stoke and fun.
41 people competed in the 1st Annual Mullet Run. Conditions were tough, but everyone seemed to have a good time. I’m happy and on my couch now…Thanks to all our sponsors:
Surf Recreational Womens 1. Heather Downs
Surf Recreational Mens 1. Brian Hill
2. Keith Jensen
3. Greg Lew
4. Mack Bernhart
5. Dr. Ed
6. William Pope
7. Phil Luther
8. Todd Yancey
9. Miles Abernathy
10. Zo Tipton
11. Mike Rodden
12. B Smith
13. Jason Hand
14. Jo Pierce
15. Clark Shay
16. Mike Abernathy
17. Jason Gaskill
18. John Fox
19. Larry Bergman
20. John Klutz
21. Nick Cosmat
Open 14 Mens 1. Chris Hill
2. Bill Gassett
3. Haywood Newkirk
4. Kevin Vangritis
5. John Beausang
Open Stock Womens 1. Ann Gasssett
2. Katie Moore
3. Jenna Schmidt
Open Stock Mens
1. Chris Curry
2. Craig Stephens
3. Kevin Rhodes
4. Jason Colclough
5. Benjamin Surrazin
6. Greg Roach
7. James Molean
8. Mark Schmidt
9. Matt Casmat
10. Tyler Hustrulid
Relay: 1. Brian Hill, Chris Hill, Jason Colclough
2. Bill Gassett, Mike Abernathy, Miles Abernathy
3. Katie Moore, Kevin and Keith Jensen
4. Craig Stephens, Sonny Stephens, and Chris Curry
The Gallery of photos from the event:
Sponsors: Brax Spirit Cups, Sidearm Surf & Skate, Wrightsville SUP, GOYA events, H2Overdrive, Electric Sunglasses, Dr. Ding, The Brandit, Double-Haul Guide Service, Drypack, EFX, Clontz/Newkirk, Schmidt Builders, Cape Fear Chef and James Bain, Blue Green Machine, Charleston Watersports, Port City Java, Werner Paddles, and Mellow Mushroom.
SURF: Wrightsville Beach, NC: Thigh to waist with some chop. There is some swell in thewater, so don’t be surprised when the mack-in stomach-high sets roll in. it’s windy.
WEATHER: Partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s…except in the upper 80s at the beaches. Chance of rain 20 percent. WIND: Southwest winds 15 to 20 mph. TIDES: Low Tide: 9:33AM, High Tide: 4:18:00 PM RECCO: Downwind in the afternoon. If you’re goign to paddle in the waterways, try the north side of harbor island. If you go this afternoon, you can get behind Wrightsville Beach elementary in the creeks. It’s goign to be somewhat sheltered. Wear foot protection from the oyster beds—this area is not for beginners on unstable boards..
DEMO AND EVENT REGISTRATION ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT DOCKSIDE 6-9: Ohana, Werner, Distressed Mullet and SideArm Surf & Skate. This isn’t a take the boards and run night. It’s a try the race board, try the paddle night and sign up night. Oh hell, do whatever you want. Just come on out.
DEMO AND EVENT REGISTRATION, PRE-RACE CARBO LOAD AT MELLOW MUSHROOM, Friday 6-9. Last chance to register. I love Mellow Mushroom. They’re amazing.
RACES THIS WEEKEND!!!:
MULLET RUN IN WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH
EVENT FORECAST: 80s at race start. 90 by noon. Waist to chest high SE medium period swell. Conditions: Semi glassy/semi bumpy in the morning with SE winds less than 5kt. Bumpy/semi bumpy conditions for the afternoon with the winds shifting SSE 5-10 kt. BE NOT AFRAID!
SURF: Wrightsville Beach, NC: Knee high S short period wind swell. Choppy unless you hit it at dawn, Maybe.
WEATHER: Mostly cloudy in the morning…then becoming partly cloudy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Humid with highs in the lower 90s…except in the mid 80s at the beaches. Chance of rain 40 percent. WIND: Southwest winds 15 to 20 mph. TIDES: Low Tide: 5:42AM, High Tide: 12:08:00 PM Low Tide: 6:08:00 PM RECCO: PADDLE. Early. Downwind late if thunderstorms don’t nail you.
SURF: Wrightsville Beach, NC: Thigh to waist with some bigger sets. It’s got some texture to it, but it’s fun. I went out with Mark Colino (Starboard) this morning and his son Noah. We had a great session. Foggy and fun.Haywood was out on his new 11’0″ C4 DaMooch. Point and shoot.He’s got some skills. WEATHER: Wrightsville Beach: Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms late this morning…then showers and thunderstorms likely this afternoon. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall. Highs in the upper 80s. Chance of rain 60 percent. WIND: Southwest winds around 5 mph… becoming south 10 to 15 mph this afternoon. TIDES: High Tide: 11:11:00 AM Low Tide: 5:21:00 PM RECCO: SURF. Get out there. Find your own peak. Keep your eye on the radar for T-storms. BE COURTEOUS and wear a leash or you’ll hurt someone, get a ticket, or both. There might be an evening glass-off. Look for it. Be there. Don’t watch television. It will rot your brain and make you want to eat sugary snacks. Get on the water instead. You’re strong enough, good enough, and gosh darnit, people like you!
RACES THIS WEEKEND!!!:
SC—Shem Creek Shootout this weekend in Charleston! Mullet run the next weekend in Wrightsville Beach, NC. Go meet like-minded paddle people.
MA—Challenge on the Charles: www.capecodbaychallenge.org/Race_Series/race_series.html
VA—2nd Annual Cape Story Independence Paddle Race — South Sandalwood Surfboards
CA—San Clemente Ocean Festival
HI—Maui International Paddleboard Race
Quick News:
I rode the new Ohana 10′ surf this morning. I rode it as a quad and had a blast. It is a wave-catching machine, with Lopez-like glide and trims out for my spastic hoppy cheater 5s.I loved it. I’m bringing Chris’ Ohana to him this afternoon. Melissa—hold on, we’ll have the vent plug today! I’m holding my breath for my Ohana 14′ to come tomorrow. If it does, I’m in happy city for SC. Should be a heck of a race. If you want an Ohana, let me know. john@distressedmullet.com
I also was able to hop on Mark’s Starboard 9’8″ Element with the Toughskin Touch layer on top instead of a deck pad. I was apprehensive at first, but it’s amazing. Grips great. The board is hilariously fun. I didn’t know what to make of it. It was a nose-riding machine that whipped turns. Fun fun fun.
Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy in the morning…then becoming partly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Humid with highs in the upper 80s…except in the mid 80s at the beaches. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent.
Amy and I are headed to SC tomorrow afternoon. We’re staying at the Shem Creek Inn. If you haven’t signed up, or are hesitating, don’t. It’s an easy drive. It’s going to be a flatwater race, and it’s a really fun paddling crowd down in Charleston. They are OUR people. Paddle people.
CHill sent this to me: Ikaika Kalama SUP from paddlesurfhawaiitv:
Chris Hill: 6’4″ 205 lbs Surfing for 25 years, prone paddle boarding 8 years and SUP paddling 4+ years. Began racing SUPs about 2 years ago but my passion is anything to do with the ocean and right equipment for the conditions be it surfboard, SUP, diving or a pair of fins and just body surfing.
Paul the Psychic Octopus, the clairvoyant mollusk that’s been correctly picking the World Cup results in South Africa has chosen the winner of the East Coast Championships. The eight-armed psychic then said he wasn’t telling me anything. So, for lunch, I’m having Spanish braised octopus recipe with a garlic-paprika sauce. In the end, Paul said something about Chris. But I think he wanted me to draft him until he cracked.
PADDLE REPORT: SURF: Shin high and glassy. Ideal for something other than surfing. I’m not sure what. Squirrel! WEATHER: Partly cloudy this morning…then becoming mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s. Chance of rain 40 percent.
WIND: West winds around 5 mph…becoming southwest this afternoon. TIDES:High Tide: 5:47:00 AM—Low Tide: 11:49:00 AM—High Tide: 6:31PM
RECCO: It’s cooler to paddle in the rain, but lightning sucks.
TODAY: I’m in Florence, SC now, on my way south to Florida and the East Coast Paddleboard Championships. Hobie Guy, Chris x 2, Brian x 2, and Jennifer are all in route from North Cackalacki. If you’re not heading to the race, there’s no cake for monkey. Next week, you have a chance to go to SC and the Shem Creek Challenge… It’s a good day trip.
SURF: Shin slappers. Got out with Hobie Guy, Stan, Justin and Zo at Spot C this am. Nothing to ride but skate wakes. Clear water. Sold the SubVector. Life is moving on…. WEATHER: Partly cloudy. Isolated showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. Highs around 90…except in the mid 80s at the beaches. Chance of rain 20 percent.
WIND: North winds 5 to 10 mph…becoming east this afternoon. TIDES:Low Tide: 10:55:00 AM – High Tide: 5:40:00 PM
RECCO: Go fishing. It’s calm. The water’s clear. Just paddle. Tonight will be a good time to paddle with the high tide. Just keep your eye on the radar for T-storms.
MISC: Kristin bought my Ron House. Sherry bought my SubVector. Dang. Spreading the love. The Ohanas are coming next Tuesday. Mine will be here hopefully by next Friday. Can’t wait. Leaving for Florida tomorrow morning for the EC Paddleboard Championships. I’m really looking forward to it. I’m bringing Brad’s Hobie 14′ Hellcat. Hopefully, its rocket boosters will propel me into last place. Looking forward to seeing everyone.
The 1st Annual Mullet Run is an ocean race, Battle of the Paddle style, but without the size, popularity, sponsors, or difficulty level. It will be out through the surf, around two buoys and back, two laps for the open division, one lap for the recreational/surf division. There will be a relay team division for shits and giggles.
Details to come, but briefly, it will be held at Wrightsville Beach, NC in front of Access #4. That’s the L-shaped parking lot by Dune Ridge. There is plenty of parking, showers and bathrooms.
Party afterward. Pig Pickin. After party location to be announced.
Proceeds to benefit Surfers Healing and the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue.
After the Gulf Coast Championships I found out that I would have the opportunity to attend the Battle of the Paddle in Honolulu on June 13th. I knew this would be an awesome experience that I had to take advantage of. The BOP is THE premiere event in the world of stand up paddling. Top paddlers from across our oceans will be competing in the races next weekend. Its going to be a SUPer event!!!!
I am extremely excited to go to Hawaii and represent Florida on a world-wide stage! Stay tuned to the blog section on www.watermonkeyshop.com for updates from Hawaii!
Also, keep your calendars marked for the first Water Monkey summer race on June 26th at 9 AM in Gulfport.
Subject: Upcoming Regional and National Surf Lifesaving and Ocean Racing Events
Ocean Lifesaving Community, competitors and supporters,
Please look below and attached for a comprehensive list of upcoming lifesaving and ocean racing events. If your event is not listed, or needs to be amended, changed, or deleted, please get back in touch with me. Thank you.
* USLA SER 1000-Meter Fin Swim: Hollywood @ Michigan Street, Monday, April 26th @ 8:00AM.
* USLA SER 1000-Meter Fin Swim: Miami-Dade County @ Haulover Beach, Wednesday, April 28th @ 8:00AM.
* USLA SER 1000-Meter Fin Swim: Delray Beach, Friday, April 30th @ 6:00PM with party after.
* Hollywood Jungle Race: 5-Mile Row, Surfski and Paddleboard race for individual & team points. Friday, May 7th @ 5:00 PM.
* Siesta Key Waterman’s Challenge: 2-Mile Paddleboard Race, Siesta Kay in Sarasota County on Sunday, May 8th @ 7:00AM to benefit their JG program.
* Key West Classic: 12-Mile Surfcraft Race around the Island May 15th @ Smathers Beach at 9:00AM.
* South Beach Chick Challenge: 3-Women teams with a swimmer, paddler, and SUPer. Sunday, May 23rd @ 7:00 PM in Miami Beach.
* Pompano Beach BLS Competition: Friday, May 28th @ 3:00pm @ PBOR Headquarters.
* Sarasota County 36-Mile Paddle: Saturday, May 29th to benefit the Sarasota County Junior Lifeguard Program. Rmpaddler5@gmail.com <mailto:Rmpaddler5@gmail.com> .
* Palm Beach County Lifeguard Competition: South Inlet Park on June 2nd @ 3:00PM.
* Daytona Beach Oceanfest: Saturday, June 5th @7:30am. @ 127 S. Ocean Avenue. Events: 2k Run; Beach Flags; Run-Swim-Run; 5-mile paddle; 800-Meter swim; International Surfari Sprint Race; Paddleboard Sprint races.
* SurfGuys SUP 3-Mile Challenge: Saturday, June 12th. Indian River, Melbourne Beach @ 8:00AM.
* South Bay Dozen: Sunday, June 13th. Torrance Beach, CA. Lifeguard Competition with SUP, Paddleboard, Surfski and Swimming events. www.jimmymillerfoundation.org <http://www.jimmymillerfoundation.org/>
* Erik Jersted Relays: 4:00PM on July 7th in Fort Lauderdale.
* East Coast Paddleboard Championships: July 10th @ 8:00AM in Ponce Inlet, FL.
* USLA SER Lifeguard Championships: July 15th & 16th @ Henderson Beach State Park, Destin, FL at 8:00AM.
* USLA SER Junior Lifeguard Championships: July 17th @ Henderson Beach State Park, Destin, FL at 8:00AM.
* Pompano Beach Quad 4 Quad Relays: Saturday, July 23rd @ 3:00pm just south of the Pompano Beach Pier.
* USLA Lifeguard Nationals: Do not have a confirmed date as of yet. The event will take place in Huntington Beach, CA on August 5-7th, or August 12-14th.
I just had the permit approved by the Town of Wrightsville Beach. Sat, July 24th. The 1st Annual Mullet Run will be a Battle of the Paddle-Style race (Note, this is not an actual Battle of the Paddle) with competitors paddling out through the surf, around 2 bouys, in through the surf, run around a pole, then around 1 more time. There will be a downwind section. The event will raise $ for Surfers Healing, a charity I love. Sponsorships opportunities are available. Please send cash. Kidding.
There will be mens and womens 12’6″ race division and a surf division, a run-what-ya-brung surf SUPs.
I’m waiting on the Coast Guard, so I won’t be releasing the poster/flyer, etc. just yet, but save the date. I’m also applying to the WPA for this to be included in the points series.
Prizes and prize $ TBD. There will be a pig pickin’ and festivities after as well as a used SUP flea market.
It’s alive…. The first one is out of the mold. It’s crazy beautiful.
I paddled it yesterday and honestly, I can’t wrap my head around it. It’s 12’6″x 23″W x 9.5″. You stand 2 inches below the waterline. It’s an experimental/concept board, but I can’t really call it a board. It’s more like a K1 and paddles like an outrigger. You’re inside it rather than atop. It’s more like a Stand Up Boat. The SUB… Mike’s in love. From his OC/surfski background, he says it’s “exactly what paddling is supposed to feel like.” And it throws a wake like a boat.
It made me really uncomfortable at first, because I didn’t know what to make of it. The buoyancy is different. The primary stability is crazy, but the secondary is solid. My legs ached at first. After 20 minutes, my legs relaxed, my feet got lighter and things got fun. I’m not posting my Garmin data, but it’s the fastest I’ve paddled on a SUP. I still don’t know what to say. I saw Chupacabra and I lived to tell the tale.
The hollow construction made it super responsive. I can’t believe how the rails can yaw you into position.
It was the first time I’ve ever paddled ahead of Mike Owens. It was a new feeling. Like the whole world opened up. I’m so used to climbing his wash, but I just walked away from him. However, the conditions were bad for any kind of evaluation. 15mph winds moving in the opposite direction of a fast outgoing tide in a windy creek. For all you nerds, the p value was more about the bathroom at the diner after the paddle, than statistical significance.
I’ve paddled about 50 miles in 10 days and have felt normal soreness. But after the 3 mile paddle yesterday, I’m sore. In all the right places. I feel like I used all my muscle groups. The un-earthly, Hulk-like green was freaky in the overcast back creeks. It was nuclear.
I have more photos to follow… I just wanted to shoot this up there and let you all know what’s up with the mullet board.
The bottom line, we’re working on it. We’re pretty sure we’ve worked out the scupper issues. We’ve streamlined and reinforced the stringers. We’ve reduced the process to take less resin and be stronger thanks to a green ring an alien gave me when his space ship crashed in my back yard. (Why do they say crash landed when crashed says it all?)
This is not the board for everyone. It’s a concept board. We’ll be making and selling them as custom orders. In carbon, at 16-18 lbs or less, this is going to be deadly on flat water.
Jeremy Riggs continued doing well on Maui (Maliko run), riding for Naish and taking 1st in 14′ (no rudder) class in Maui Brewing Co North Shore Challenge. Jeremy sent me his Garmin data for the race. Check out the speeds! Are you kidding me? Congrats Jeremy and Naish.
Hidden beneath an itchy blanket of glass, waiting for resin. The bottom of the mold will be done by lunch. We’ll start on the top after chowing down. And we’ll spray the paddle mold shaft. The Distressed Mullet Defibrillator—shockingly past paddle— looks good. I want to pull water. Now.
I think Chris Hill is heading down to this. I won’t be able to make the trip because of some family obligations, but I wish I was going. John Hughes runs amazing races. It’s for a great cause and all the big dogs will be there. If you want to measure up to see where you stand, this is a great start.
From John Hughes:
I have included attachments with the course diagrams for the 7 mile race and the KOB.
Hello Paddlers- The Florida State Paddleboard Championship is scheduled
for April 3 (Saturday) 2010. It is time to start training again! This
year we are expanding the SUP to 3 categories.
Location: Sheppard Park , located at the end of SR 520 in Cocoa Beach , FL
Time: Beach registration begins at 7:30AM. Race time is 8:30 AM. King of
the Beach competition begins after completion of the race (approx..
11AM) Trophy presentation is after completion of events. The competitor with the best combined time in the 7 mile race and the King of the Beach race will receive the Grand Champion trophy. Also the top two finishers in each category get their names engraved on the Perpetual Trophy.
Events: The FSPBC is a seven mile race. The King of the Beach is a
paddle, run, swim sprint event..
Categories: Paddleboard race
1. Men’s Lifeguard Open Class
2. 35 and under Men’s Stock
3. 35 and under Men’s Unlimited
4. 36 to 49 Men’s Stock
5. 36 to 49 Men’s Unlimited
6. 50 and over Men’s Stock
9. 50 and over Men’s Unlimited
10. Women’s Open Paddleboard
11. Stand-Up Paddleboard 12’6″ and under
12. Stand-Up Paddleboard 14′
13. Stand-Up Paddleboard Unlimited
King of the Beach
1. 35 and under Men’s
2. 36 and over Men’s
3. 35 and under Women’s
4. 36 and over Women’s
For more information contact John Hughes jhughes@cocoabeachsurfmuseum.org.
John Hughes
Cocoa Beach Surf Museum
jhughes@cocoabeachsurfmuseum.org
321-720-8033
I’d also like to thank everyone for coming out this past Sunday for the 2nd event of the Water Monkey Spring Stand Up Series. I was feeling the competitive juices and had a great time battling it out with Packet only to finish 3 tenths of a second behind! Beautiful weather, great friends, and good competition is what SUP racing is all about! Congratulations to all the participants for a great day on the water! Next event coming up April 10th!
1. Packet Casey 26.30.2
2. Chase Kosterlitz 26.30.5
3. Patrick Klemawesch 28.14
4. Frank Dillenburg 29.3
5. Helga Geobel 31.44
6. John Sekas 32.04
7. Steve Klemawesch 33.04
8. Ryan Druyor 33.37
9. Bruce Denson 38.29
10. Paul Norris 38.40
11. Hildred Francis 42.38
12. Alley Norris 43.51
13. Rober Hill 55.42
I have one question: Who is this Packet guy and why is he kicking everyone’s asses in Florida? Justin? Where are you?
We’re going to find new breaks. It’s a moral imperative. On standups, well be able to hit waves in places we’ve never considered. Waves we looked at on our longboards and said, “If I could find the lineup and time it right, I could get one out there some day.” Well, some day is now. You have the range to try. You have the ability to get in early. And once we start finding these places, it’s all gravy.
From Chris Curry:
Just a heads up, Todd and I caught the Shoals at Masonboro yesterday really good (Possible Peak & Breakname: On the Rocks!). 1.5 – 2 minute rides easily video tells all! But I think I will keep these on the down – just for the Distressed Mullet’s viewing right now. Wait until we get a tropical storm or hurricane – 4 -5 minutes of riding a single wave is my guess. Leg and Chest burn is all I can say when that day comes!
Check out Justin’s head. Holy crap. Hes been so stoked on learning to SUP. He’s a good surfer from CB and has been surfing for a LONG TIME.
With his new board, he got into the shore break, and his new Subvector tattooed him. Dang. Heal up!
For those of you new to SUP surfing, remember that the board is significantly bigger than what you’ve been surfing. Keeping control over your board is INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT—especially in off-shore wind conditions and around other people. WEAR A LEASH. When you fall, Cover your melon with your arms. And finally, this is my rule and is, SURF LIKE YOU HAVE NO LEASH! Even know you need a leash. This will give you the ultimate awareness over where your board is.
This is from Justin:
Here you go John….
Surfing 9’3 C4 Subvec near Ft Fisher. Shallow shore break where they just dredged….wind switched to the south….got real choppy and had a nice spill. I was by myself.
Hit a fin, big laceration. Eleven staples across my head. Kudos to CB Emergency Clinic for taking me in right away….helps he surfs too.
Have to stay out of water for 10 days…risk of infection, especially b/c of the dredging. Staples get removed in 14 days, and hopefully that will be it.
I know, what the hell is that supposed to mean, slow down to speed up. A few years ago I stumbled up an interesting discovery when training for a really long OC-1 paddle approx. 250 mi.. At that distance your pacing becomes one of the most critical factors in your success, besides hydration, nutrition and rash control. Part of learning to pace for that distance is being really, really efficient. Which means maximizing absolutely every glide. How do you maximize every glide? By learning to read every bump in the water that’s within 30 yards of you and your craft. In fighter pilot terms, everything in your 7:30 to 4:30 radius.
WATERMAN 2010
Registration starts @ 7:00am
@ yellow lifeguard tower
$20 entry fee
Race starts @ 8:00am
2 mile prone paddleboarding
and stand up race
Awards to top 3 in both categories
in the men/womans division
1st 30 people to register
receive free rash guard
May 8th
All money goes to the junior lifeguarding program
March 5, 2010, San Clemente, CA – The World Paddle Association (WPA) is proud to announce the launch of their website http://www.worldpaddleassociation.com. The site will serve as a source of information regarding events, resources and news for the Outrigger, Surf Ski, Paddleboard, and SUP communities.
“Participation in paddle sports is growing around the world,” says the WPA’s Byron Kurt. “Our goal is to provide a comprehensive voice, fair and equal access and organizational structure to the sport of paddling and its participants in a manner that benefits the collective paddling community.”
About the WPA: The goal of the WPA is to provide a comprehensive voice, fair and equal access and organizational structure to the sport of paddling and its participants in a manner that benefits the collective paddling community. For more information visit www.worldpaddleassociatoin.com or e-mail info@worldpaddleassociation.com
