Name:  JP Atherholt
Hometown: Clearwater, FL

Age: 39
Years Paddling: 7

Weekly Mileage:
15-30 on the paddleboard, plus 25-40 in an OC6

Preferred board length to paddle: 
Unlimited

Favorite Paddle route: 
Downwind- starting or ending at 27th Ave on Indian Rocks Beach

Favorite race:
Florida State Paddleboard Championships- It is in the Spring, so there is usually some bump and it’s part of the Surf Festival, so there is always a good crowd with a lot going on.

I Started Paddling Because: 
I started paddling to compete in lifeguard sprint races and it just grew from that.

Best Paddling Experience to Date:
The Cuba to Key West paddle was an experience of a lifetime. 

Favorite Thing About Paddling:
Getting in the water and leaving all of your worries on land.


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Name: Heidi Gutgesell
Hometown: Honolulu, HI

Age: 38
Years Paddling: 4

Weekly Mileage:
Anywhere from 12-50

Preferred board length to paddle:
12’ stock

Favorite Paddle route:
Hawaii Kai to Kaimana is always fun, although I love the challenge of going around Makapuu Point. Maliko run on Maui is a blast, too. Hard to choose :)

Favorite race:
Cline Mann Ko`olaupoko

I Started Paddling Because:
I used to see the guys paddleboarding when I sat in the surf line-up. It looked like fun! I always liked the long paddle out to 3’s anyway, why not go for some real distance??? I went to watch the finish of the 2004 Hennessey's Intl. Paddleboard Championships up at Waimea and I was hooked. I ordered a board right after that.

Best Paddling Experience to Date:

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Name: Roch Frey
Hometown: Encinitas

Age: 41
Years Paddling: 3

Weekly Mileage:
20-40

Preferred board length to paddle:
Stock, but going to give Unlimited a try this fall

Favorite Paddle route:
Cardiff Reef, North in the winter and south in the summer

Favorite race:
I gotta say the Loop.  Love point to point races and you get a little of all conditions starting on the west side of Coronado and finishing in the bay.

I Started Paddling Because:
Had knee surgery and was burned out of Triathlon.  Started surfing when I first moved to SD from Canada 15 years ago and talked to Darryl Swenson about paddling and he got me hooked.

Best Paddling Experience to Date:
Getting schooled at the Malibu down winder.  Didn’t go that well, but had a blast and ...

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Name:John Sedely
Hometown: Largo, FL

Age: 32
Years Paddling: 5
Weekly Mileage:  20-30

Preferred board length to paddle: 
Whatever I can get my hands on; boards are not common over here.

Favorite Paddle route: 
Central Ave, Indian Rocks to Sand Key w/ +15knot south

Favorite race: 
Hennessey Nationals; over 200 paddlers 

I Started Paddling Because:
A relay team needed someone  to go to Cuba

Best Paddling Experience to Date: 
Paddling to Key West from Cuba and the few days in Redondo for the race, the generosity of Joe and Charlie, the cliffs, seal-covered R-10 and fish tacos at Riviera’s. 

Favorite Thing About Paddling: 
Puts things in perspective, Corrects Everything

Thing I Hate Most About Paddling: 
Walking to the beach and someone telling me “There’s No Waves” and then to ...

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