From surfertoday.com

Australian paddling star Jamie Mitchell (Currumbin, Queensland) made sure history didn’t repeat today, storming to victory in the Honoula Ocean Paddle Race on the Gold Coast.

31-year-old Mitchell, who wiped out of last year’s event after the rudder on his paddleboard snapped as he made his way out to the offshore start line, completed the eight kilometre open ocean race from Snapper Rocks to Currumbin unscathed, crossing the line in a in a time of 51 minutes and 48 seconds.

The paddleboarding ace says he was stoked to take the win after an unfortunate finish in the 2008 race.

“I felt pretty good out there today,” he said.

“Last year was disappointing, but when you dealing with the ocean anything can happen.”

“Towards the end we had a few nice runners and you could really ...

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Dear Loopers,                                5-26-09

Because of this year’s big turn out and since it’s been a while since I’ve written a post-Loop letter I figured I better write one.

We sorted out my screw-ups with the 14’ and Geezer divisions.  Sorry again to Greg Ford (3rd in 14’) and Dave Stringer (2nd Geezer).  Neither received the recognition they deserve.

I really like spending time with like minded people.  You can see a lot of what is wrong with our culture by watching people as they drive along the freeway.  I admire the few who let people over and like to see the flow this courtesy creates.  If this happened more often the freeway would function like a zipper.

Yesterday after The Loop I was talking with my dad about my zipper theory and The Loop.  We realized the reason The ...

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Honolua Ocean Paddle Race

Surfing Queensland
Currumbin Creek, Queensland
30 May 2009

Array of Aquatic Craft to Feature in This Weekend's Honolua Ocean Paddle Race

press release : - - Gold Coast -- It was firstly paddleboards. Then stand up paddleboards (SUP). Now outrigger canoes have been added to the line-up for the annual Honolua Ocean Paddle Race.

A talented crew of outrigger canoe paddlers will put their ocean skills to the test for the first time alongside an anticipated 100-plus field of the state’s top board paddlers in the eight kilometre race, which starts at Snapper Rocks on Saturday and follows the coastline north before finishing at Currumbin Creek.

Outrigger Australia President John Stewart says it’s great that 1-person outrigger canoes (OC1) have been integrated into the prestigious open ocean race. “The outrigger community is really excited to be part of this growing event,” he ...

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When:
Saturday, June 13, 2009 @ 6:00 AM

Where:
New Brighton State Beach
1500 Park Avenue Capitola, CA

Registration fees:
12 mile race $35.00 ($40.00 race day)
2 mile race $20.00 ($25.00 race day)
Kids races free.

To register go to: www.active.com

Registration Closing Date:
Saturday, June 13, 2009

Race info:
Friday, June 12th: 4 to 7 pm is pre-race check-in at the Crow’s Nest / Harbor Beach. Get your goodie bag, tee shirt and look over the course map. You can also register for the race if you haven’t yet done so online.
Saturday, June 13th: Race Day!
6am Check-in for both the 12 mile and 2 mile paddle.
8:00 am Jay Ceremony.
8:30 am 12 mile Paddleboard start.
8:40 am 12 mile Stand-up start.
9:00 am 2 mile start.
11:15 am Lunch, awards and kids races.
12:00 pm Raffle.
5pm ...

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Taken with a GoPro Hero Cam. goprocamera.com
Get a chance to win one at H2Audio SURFMonkey, Aug 8 @ Oceanside Pier.
www.multisports.com/surfmonkey

 


 



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Lina Fontaine was nice enough to shoot photos at this past weekend's Return to the Pier race.. Click here to see photos from the race, and here for more of Lina's work.



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From the Heraldtribune.com

Martini trains with creatures of the sea By Chris Anderson
Herald-Tribune columnist

The mornings are so serene on the water that Robert Martini is rarely noticed by what lurks below.  
He takes his board a few miles out, using his arms for paddles, and he sneaks up on sharks and sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico. Dolphins are also undaunted by his presence. He encounters a certain one so often that he has given it a name.

He calls it "Stubby" because it lacks a dorsal fin.

"It's really cool," he said. "The dolphins come up and chill out with you for a while."

Martini is a 24-year-old lifeguard on Siesta ...

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What: Wilder Coast Downwind Run II   Who: Paddleboards and Stand-ups.   When: This Saturday, May 23rd. 2 pm start!   Why: Because it's fun to suffer and catch runners.   How: Carpool from the Harbor and / or meet at 4 mile beach.   Start: 4 mile beach. Meet on the beach @1:30 to check in and sign a waiver.   Course: 8 miles Downwind to the Santa Cruz Harbor.   Finish:  Beach finish next to the East Jetty.   Paddle debriefing at the Crow's Nest after the event!   Cost: free!

Contact-Gunnar Roll 831-239-9924

rollfamily3178@sbcglobal.net



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This year the Hennessey's International Paddleboard Championship moves from Hawaii to the beautiful San Francisco Bay on Saturday, September 26th. The scenic race features a 9-mile course starting at the AquaticPark at Fisherman's Wharf, going around Angel and Alcatraz Islands and back to the park with a water finish. For the SUPs, there will be a three-mile course around Alcatraz. All divisions are welcome in all classes and all age groups. Largest cash purse ever! The $75 (advance) entry fee includes the race, a sit-down awards banquet and party, t-shirts and accessories. Hotel arrangements at a hotel at Fisherman’s Wharf are nearly set – we will get that info out as soon as we have confirmation. This is going to be a fantastic event – come on out and join us!  

More info to follow or call Tim Ritter at 310.200.5463. Join us on facebook: search under our email ...

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