Name: Shane ‘Skooby’ Scoggins
Hometown: GOLETA

Age: 21
Years Paddling: 2nd year competing

Weekly Mileage:
Any where from 20-45 depending on surf conditions, work load and what my shoulders think of me

Preferred board length to paddle:
6’2” rounded pin, unless it’s blown out in which case, Stock board 12’

Favorite Paddle route:
Solo missions Gaviota coast, and the VTA Harbor Lap

Favorite race:
The 10-MAN!!

I Started Paddling Because:
Dion Vonderlithe said eating my lunch and surfing were not acceptable lifeguard workout breaks. I keep paddling because it hurts so good.

Best Paddling Experience to Date:
Having a thresher shark jump at me by Pitas, or winning 10 Man, because it’s a team event.

Favorite Thing About Paddling:
Wearing short-shorts, finding new ways to get skin cancer, gives me ...

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Paddler of the Week

Name: Doug Weems
Hometown: Manhattan Beach

Age:  36
Years Paddling: 4.5 on a paddleboard

Weekly Mileage:
Varies, 15-25

Favorite Paddle:
Paddling into fun waves, in the South Bay

I Started Paddling Because:
I pulled a hammy and needed to do something

Best Paddling Experience to Date:
First Catalina Classic finish in 2005

Favorite Thing About Paddling:
Being in the ocean, coffee with friends (Donkey’s) after.

Thing I Hate Most About Paddling:
I hate, hate.

What I Tell Myself to Motivate on Days I Just Don't Want to Paddle:
What would Jay Russell do?

Best "Oh Crap" Moment While In Middle of Ocean:
I bonked in the Rock 2 Rock in 2007.  I was a couple miles from the finish and it took me over an hour ...

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Name: Jared Vargas
Hometown: Long Beach, CA

Age: 24
Years Paddling: If you count JG’s then about 15 years

Weekly Mileage:
5-50

Preferred board length to paddle:
Anything that floats

Favorite Paddle route:
Laps around Naples at night

Favorite race:
The Judge Taplin in LACo when I was a junior guard  I always wanted to compete at night because it seemed more exciting, Now I like having the crowd watch.

I Started Paddling Because:
It is one more way to enjoy the ocean

Best Paddling Experience to Date:
Finishing the Rock 2 Rock standup and solo

Favorite Thing About Paddling:
An easy paddle with friends will always get my head straight.

Thing I Hate Most About Paddling:
Cold water and trash

What I Tell Myself to Motivate on Days I Just Don't Want ...

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Name: George Plsek
Hometown: Solana Beach

Age:39

Years Paddling:
On and off for 10years , Waterman Challenge was my 1st distance paddle race on 10'6" in 1997, it was 4th of July weeked, all night of party and no water on board. Seriously paddling now for about 4 years.

Weekly Mileage:
30-40

Preferred board length to paddle:
Unlimited

Favorite Paddle route:
Start at Cardiff Reef and head anywhere south

Favorite race:
Uh, tough one, they all hurt, but Malibu DownWinder, J-Race and Molokai

I Started Paddling Because:
Got tired of swimming and keeps me in the ocean on flat days

Best Paddling Experience to Date:
The trip to Fiji and Australia in '06 and the group paddle we did, starting in some river through villages over the reef and downwind run back to ...

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