Gabe Getting Ready For Molokai
TOP 20 RESULTS
| 3:21:32 | SS-2 | Greg Barton | Barton | Zsolt | Svadovski | Usa | Men-Surfski Doubles | 3:21:32 |
| 3:24:07 | Surfski | Oscar | Chalupsky | South Africa | M-MASTER 40-49 Surfski | 3:24:07 | ||
| 3:24:26 | Surfski | Clint | Robinson | Australia | M-30-39 Surfski | 3:24:26 | ||
| 3:25:42 | Surfski | Patrick | Dolan | Hawai’i | M-18-29 SURFSKI | 3:25:42 | ||
| 3:26:32 | Surfski | Dean | Gardiner | Aust | M-MASTER 40-49 Surfski | 3:26:32 | ||
| 3:27:04 | Surfski | Bruce | Taylor | Australia | M-30-39 Surfski | 3:27:04 | ||
| 3:27:33 | Surfski | Martin | Kenny | Australia | M-MASTER 40-49 Surfski | 3:27:33 | ||
| 3:29:04 | Surfski | Matthew | Bouman | South Africa | M-30-39 Surfski | 3:29:04 | ||
| 3:31:55 | Surfski | Kurt | Tutt | Australia | M-30-39 Surfski | 3:31:55 | ||
| 3:34:34 | SS-2 | Patrick Hemme | Hemmens | Sean | Lupton-Smith | Usa | Men-Surfski Doubles | 3:34:34 |
| 3:38:24 | Surfski | Michael | Booth | Australia | M-18-29 Surfski | 3:38:24 | ||
| 3:40:27 | Surfski | Tim | Altman | Australia | M-MASTER 40-49 Surfski | 3:40:27 | ||
| 3:42:24 | Surfski | Damien | Daley | Australia | M-30-39 Surfski | 3:42:24 | ||
| 3:43:25 | Surfski | Michael | Locke | Aust | M-MASTER 40-49 Surfski | 3:43:25 | ||
| 3:45:33 | SS-2 | Mark | Ressel | Tris | Turner | Great Britain | Men-Surfski Doubles | 3:45:33 |
| 3:46:18 | Surfski | Steve | Coulter | Australia | M-MASTER 40-49 Surfski | 3:46:18 | ||
| 3:46:37 | Surfski | Danny | Topfer | Australia | M-MASTER 40-49 Surfski | 3:46:37 | ||
| 3:46:52 | Surfski | Michael | Beyer | Hawai’i | M-30-39 Surfski | 3:46:52 | ||
| 3:48:13 | Surfski | Matthew | Ogarey | Australia | M-30-39 Surfski | 3:48:13 | ||
| 3:50:07 | Surfski | Kala | Judd | Hawai’i | M-SR. MASTER 50-59 Surfski | 3:50:07 | ||
| 3:50:16 | Surfski | Robert | Barry | Australia | M-SR. MASTER 50-59 Surfski | 3:50:16 | ||
| 3:52:12 | Surfski | Gabe | Newton | Usa | M-30-39 Surfski | 3:52:12 | ||
| 3:53:13 | Surfski | Bruce | Dunlop | Australia | M-SR. MASTER 50-59 SURFSKI | 3:53:13 | ||
| 3:53:39 | Surfski | Stewart | O’Regan | Australia | M-30-39 Surfski | 3:53:39 | ||
| 3:54:03 | Surfski | Jett | Kenny | Australia | M-18-29 Surfski | 3:54:03 |
Gabe Newton – TEAM FENN
Ocean Paddlesports is pleased to announce that Gabe Newton has become a Fenn supported surfski racer. Gabe will kick-off this new chapter in his racing career this weekend by racing his first Molokai World Championships in a Fenn Elite. Gabe spent several weeks this winter in South Africa training with some of the top racers in the sport and was able to test the full line-up of Fenn surfski in downwind & open ocean conditions. He was impressed with the performance of the Fenn Swordfish in downwind conditions and the overall top performance of the Fenn Elite & Fenn Elite SL as top-end performance driven machines. Gabe, still a relative newcomer to the sport of surfski, comes from a long background of whitewater and competitive freestyle kayaking. He had a break through season last year and was able to demonstrate his speed both on flat as well as downwind condition and he is primed this year to make the next jump onto the international surfski circuit. We look forward to having such a strong ambassador of the sport on Team Fenn and have his Carbon Fenn Elite SL awaiting his return from Hawaii.
New OPS Shipment Just Arrived!
We just unloaded the newest shipment of Ocean Paddlesports boats to hit the PNW!
Local ski paddlers have been blown away by the quality construction and cutting edge designs!
The Fenn Swordfish have been selling like wildfire and paddlers are appreciating the comfortable ride, stable platform, and top end speed in rough downwind conditions.
The Fenn Elite SL has had a wave of top paddlers make the switch – fast in the flat, comfortable in the slop, untouchable going downwind. Local surfski gun Gabe Newton just made the switch – watch out!!!!
What’s currently in stock;
Vac Glass Fenn Elite SL – 2
Vac Carbon Fenn Elite SL – 2
Vac Glass Fenn Swordfish – 3
Vac Carbon Fenn Swordfish – 1
Glass Fenn Elite Double -1
Full stock of paddles, leashes, Mocke books & other goodies.
Give me a shout for more info or to arrange a demo paddle!
See you on the water,
DJ
360.305.9517
New Container Just Arrived
Ocean Paddlesports is pleased to announce the arrival of the second container of the year loaded with Fenn surfskis. We have a trailer heading north next week to accommodate all your spring surfski needs, All designs are in stock, including;
Fenn Swordfish – proven surfing machine, it’s what I’ve been sporting all winter in the big blow days. I had an epic big wave/ mixed choppy paddle two weeks ago at the Gorge and the boat performed like a champ. Fast on the flatwater, maybe only about 20-30 seconds slower than my Elite on the Wednesday night race course. Can’t drive around town without spotting one!
Fenn XT – proven reliable boat, single footwell with the seat moved up last year for improved surfing performance. This boat gives beginner ski paddlers the stable platform to chase waves and more experienced paddlers the confidence to keep paddling well in big conditions.
Fenn SL Elite – Simon has been all smiles as he’s been enjoying putting the SL through its paces – his boat is plastered with ‘Relax’ stickers – the waves must be getting tired of his shredding skills. The redistribution and added volume behind the seat allows the boat to easily pick-up runs, stability is very good in chop and straight line speed is second to none. Hey, Jasper in an SL has been picking off his older brother Dawid who’s been sticking to the proven performance of an Elite – maybe it’s a changing of the guard, maybe it’s an SL?!
Fenn Elite Double Ski – proven top performer in all conditions. It’s still the benchmark for double skis – excels in downwind conditions, corners like a champ for those tight lake turns, and super comfortable for those long hot slogs. Like all Fenn boats, build to last (look how much abuse the club double has taken) at the Fenn owned & operated factory in South Africa.
New Fenn Spec Ski – this design has been making big waves in the lifesaving ski community. Great for crashing through break and shredding back in, speedo sold separately. Jasper Mocke just took top honors riding a Fenn Spec Ski at 2012 SA Lifesaving Ski Championships.
Also, currently in stock in Bellingham (ie pay no shipping, pick-up & go paddling today!)
* Vac Carbon Fenn Swordfish – 24 lbs
* Vac Glass Fenn Swordfish – 30-31 lbs
* Vac Glass Fenn XT – 30-31 lbs
Please contact me or Ocean Paddlesports with questions or to set up a demo of any of the Fenn line-up. We have had an incredible amount of positive feedback from happy customs from the last shipment and look forward to continuing to bring proven designs coupled with quality construction to the PNW surfski community.
CBC Paddling Clinic
Hello Whatcom Paddlers,
Ludo and I have joined forces with the Community Boating Center to help kick start a youth paddling program here in Bellingham. The CBC plans on hosting several paddling clinics this year that will be fundraisers for a local youth paddling program. Our plan is to use the CBC’s youth camps throughout the summer as feeder programs for a youth paddling club with the goal of getting local youth in boats. The Community Boating Center provides the liability insurance umbrella & organization structure which is required to get a youth program off the ground and have the perfect on-water location in Fairhaven. These clinics will serve as fundraisers with 100% of the proceeds going towards purchasing equipment to outfit local youth and give them an opportunity to pursue paddling in a fun and safe environment. We are offering this initial clinic prior to the CBC Paddle Challenge (5/12) as an opportunity to refine your technique prior to the afternoon race. I learn/ refine my paddling stroke every time I paddle with Ludo, so this clinic has something to offer for all Whatcom Paddlers, even the more experienced paddlers in town. We will have video feedback during the clinic as a tool to help improve your stroke and will have running video review during the bbq – hey, some of the video might end up in the film festival! Come out and support us getting a youth program going in town and refine your technique with this spring paddling clinic.
Hope to see you on the water!
-DJ
Check us out in the April S2S Newsletter
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2012 Community Boating Center Paddle Challenge and Kayak Technique Clinic
May 12th/ 900-1130/ Community Boating Center, Bellingham Bay
About the Coaches:
DJ comes to surfski paddling from a long background as an international whitewater slalom competitor and a former US Center of Excellence Development Coach. He spent 10 years training and racing whitewater slalom in North Carolina has been hooked on surfing surfskis since moving to Bellingham in 2008.
Ludo Tatos, learning a paddle while growing up in Slovakia, was a Slovakian national sprint kayak competitor in the k-1 racing division. He now paddles surfski and enjoys racing in the local PNW circuit. Ludo brings a wealth of knowledge to the clinic with his world class k-1 background!
Whether you’re a local paddler looking to improve your kayak stroke or a weekend warrior looking to improve you A-game, this clinic will give you tools to improve your paddling experience
Clinic: $30
CBC Paddle Challenge Entry: $30
Please RSVP to bpedlow@boatingcenter.org to sign up for the clinic. Registration for the CBC Paddle Challenge is available here.
All proceeds support Youth Programs at the CBC – come out and support getting youth in boats while improving your paddling technique.
Early Season Gorge! Better then Hawaii?
Wild and windy at Swell City
We thought we might be pulling the trigger a little early this year with sneaking out of town for a quick four day gorge trip and were prepared to be content with hammering out some flatwater distance, chasing the Sternwheeler, checking out the Stergeon at the dam, and doing all the hiking we never get to doing during the windy summer months, but then the wind started blowing. Day one gave us east winds with some warm up mini-waves to surf after paddling upwind for an hour. Day two, today, west winds were 15-25mph with strong gusts and big erratic waves. The surfing was not the glassy smooth giants of the summer with more chop and less uniformity to
the waves, but there were some big rides out there for sure. The 45 degree water temp felt refreshing though I don’t know if swimming would be a good idea this time of year. For today’s run from Draino to the Hatchery, I’d give the waves a strong 8/10 on the DJ surf ‘o meter. Fenn Swordfish was the boat of choice on the water, great speed, stability, and overall solid performance in the 6-8 ft mixed conditions. Local kiters have their fingers crossed that the summer will be a repeat of last year with above average snowmelt headed towards the Columbia River. Licking our chops to come back when it’s windy and warm in July, but thinking we need to squeeze in a July high water trip.. Looks to be another epic season at the Gorge! Sounds like there will be a good crew setting up shop and chasing waves at the Gorge during July leading up to the #1 surfing race in America – THE WILDSIDE!
Spring surfing @ Swell City
AUSTIN KIEFFER: US Team Trials
Austin Kieffer
Twenty-three year old whitewater slalom kayaker Austin Kieffer is less than one week away from Olympic Team Trials which will be held at the US Whitewater Center outside of Charlotte, NC. Competition is guaranteed to be fierce in the k-1 division as the elite top ten scrap it out for the lone Olympic spot. Although this is not his first Olympic trials, Austin represent the new younger generation of racers in the upcoming competition as they line-up against veteran national team members gunning it out for the coveted National and Olympic Team spots. With a decade of training and racing under his belt, he is know well within the racing community for his incredible work ethic & dedication to his sport. Austin has been able to juggle the rigors of training and related travel requirements while being an honor student at Davidson College, a feat which has required him to burn the candle on both ends. I had the privilege to coach him as junior in Asheville, NC and it was obvious from his drive during after school workouts that he had set his priorities at a young age. Austin’s whitewater background as also transferred easily over to surfski paddling. Last August at US Surfski Champs, I had the privilege of racing surfski with Austin, who blast past me in the final thirty minutes of of the race with two weeks of surfski paddling under his belt. Though Austin is peaking for three days of two explosive 80-90 second races next weekend, he has already committed to switching gears in July and spending three weeks in a surfski in the Columbia River Gorge leading up to US Champs in San Francisco. Enjoy the action shots of Austin as he completes his final training regiment in preparation for trials and follow full Olympic selection results online.
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Ache On The Lake – Interval Update – Eastern Euro Beast!
Ludo the Beast
Week one of Sunday intervals went great. We had a good spectrum of boats & paddlers participate with special guest Ludo Tatos make an appearance to keep the workout honest. For the first week’s workout we did 6 x 5 min on with recovery time starting at 5 min and decreasing each set. Looks like we will see a little volume added and continued varied recovery time to help building overall volume while keeping quality. Too far out to say if the next storm cycle will bring waves, but same place & time unless it’s gusting for a downwinder! See you Sunday at noon, Bloedel
DJ, Vanessa, Ludo
Starting Gun
The local guns - keeping the workout a 'contact sport'
Selling Out – Whitewater Kayak Deal of a Lifetime
I’ve concluded that my whitewater kayaks are officially on ‘dust collector status’ and it’s time to trim the flotilla.
Here’s the deal; Three whitewater kayaks plus a Werner paddle, Astral lifejacket and sprayskirt
Boats
#1. Liquidlogic Little Joe – Great river runner and surfing machine. A good beginner boat and fast & responsive for all levels of whitewater paddlers. Used less than 20 times, it GREAT SHAPE!
#2. Liquidlogic Gus – Super responsive creek boat, fast! This boat shines in the steeps and big water situations. Used, but not used up!
#3. Wavesport ZG 48 – Playboat perfect for waves, holes and everything in between.
BOATS AND GEAR SOLD AS ONE PACKAGE! ONLY $700 (one new whitewater costs hundreds more than this – you get three boats and some extras:)
Please contact DJ if interested; 360.305.9517
ACHE ON THE LAKE
Ache on the lake (Sunday intervals) are back for good this time starting this Sunday.
When: Sundays, on the water at noon sharp.
Location: Bloedel- repeats on first turn section of the Wednesday race course.
What: Intervals that all open to all types and speeds of paddlers. A great introduction to interval training and an opportunity to have a competitive workout in a low key environment & became a faster, fitter and more efficient paddler. This week will consist of 6x 5min intervals with varied rest time.
Looks like this weekend will be nice & sunny with minimal/no wind on Sunday. We will add volume onto the sessions as the season progresses, so get in early!
Cheers,
DJ
