Weekly SUP News - PRG now RIP

Spoke too soon about the warmer weather - we've been plunged into winter again here. Plenty of stoke though for those who enjoy a thumping swell.

This week's number: -50,000
It was good while it lasted, but sadly the Payette River Games are no more. The Pickard family, who own the Kelly whitewater park where the games were held, were no longer willing to pick up the tab for the US$50,000 prize purse. That's understandable. However, if someone else wants to assume funding the games, they're willing to offer the park facilities for free. Fingers crossed for a white knight. Over its short three-year history the event had gathered some real momentum showcasing some freakish paddling, with CBS network broadcasting a highlights package of this year's event. Its closure follows on from the loss of the German World Cup, Brazilian Open and the Battle of the Paddle (since resurrected as the Pacific Paddle Games - see below).

Competition
Following on from the Hayama Pro in Japan, the Japan Cup was held a couple of weeks later. The tail-end of a typhoon tested a field that included a handful of overseas paddlers (including a good Aussie contingent) and a lot of locals enjoying the sake (and the stoke).

First up was a sprint survivor race that quickly whittled the field down to the final. Toby Cracknell (Australia) outsprinted his compatriot James Casey for the win, while Daniel Hasulyo (Kiwi) claimed third. Fiona Wylde (US) took the women's event, while Chloe Walkerdene (Australia) made the most of the international stage with a second and local Yokoyama Takayo claimed third.

In the distance race, Mo Freitas (Hawaii) showed that surfing is not his only forte, taking the win. The rest of the podium was a repeat of the previous day's race with Casey and Hasulyo second and third again. Besides the silverware, Casey also got a cake to celebrate his 24th birthday. Fiona Wylde dominated the women's event and finished in the top ten overall. Takayo and fellow local Yasu Chie took second and third.

Mo, on more volume than we're used to seeing him with, offers a lesson in rounding a buoy at the Japan Cup







Despite high hopes of a cranking nor-easterly, the first leg of Sydney downwind series was becalmed last weekend when the Reef to Reef Ocean Paddle was run. The 10km stretch from Newport to Long Reef turned into a grind with Sam Parker victorious among the stand-up paddlers. Brett Baber and James Melhuish, a few minutes behind, rounded out the men's podium. Returning from a busy, and successful, overseas schedule, Terrene Black was the first female paddler home, followed by Emma Davies then Tammy Montgomery. Second event in the series is at Tuggerah Lakes on the 24th October.

Sam Parker with an ace up his sleeve at the Reef to Reef



The WA Bridge the Bank paddle for pairs was also held last weekend in some gusty conditions. The idea was to split the 11km course into an 8km leg for one partner and the remaining 3km was completed by the other. Michael Hastie and Cristiana Chessa took the win.

While over in the west, the Batavia Coast Sup Surf & Race was held in Geraldton a couple of weekends back. The results weren't up on the WA Surfing website at the time of writing, but if someone wants to PM me with them, I'm happy to report them next week.

Upcoming comps
For those paddlers with spatial awareness and a caffeine addiction, the Red Bull water maze event, which combines paddling, orienteering and sugar, is being held this weekend on the GC.

After a short break on the international scene, things get busy until the middle of November. The US Open at Hungtington Beach starts this weekend through to the following weekend. First up is the surfing leg (26 Sep to 1 Oct) as part of the Stand Up World Tour, followed by racing (2-4 Oct) as part of the Stand Up World Series. The final leg of the Stand Up World Series is then held at Turtle Bay, Hawaii from October 16-18.

In between, the Pacific Paddle Games (BOP 2.0) will be held October 10-11. With US$55,000 of prize money on offer, it will be rail-to-rail big-name paddlers. Check out what some of the contenders are saying about the event.

ppg.supthemag.com/news/notes-from-the-contenders-corner-sups-elite-men-weigh-in-on-expectations-for-ppg2015/

One variation from previous BOPs is that competitors will navigate 14' boards in and out of the surf, as compared with 12'6 previously. Plenty more volume to tangle - yeewww! Of course previous BOPs were renowned for the rough and tumble that they produced, culminating in last year's carnage - huge swells, boards and paddlers ricocheting off each other, Connor and Kai no longer besties (thankfully the bromance was rekindled in Japan recently).

In an effort to make a more paddler-friendly event, BOP 2.0 will include new buoys (see pic below). They will be used in the distance race and aim to reduce the death toll as 30 boards charge for the first turn. The largest of the buoys is 4ft high and 20ft long with a 25ft turning radius. The smallest is 10ft wide. See more at: www.paddlemonster.com/2015/09/04/pacific-paddle-game-changer-turn-buoys/

B1 & B2 will feature at BOP 2.0



Latest vids & other media
A day with Mo Freitas - it's all about mobility

www.mensjournal.com/

For the technophiles, here's a fin's eye view of what your paddle looks like underwater. No commentary, it's just footage of paddles in action (with sound affects) that Blue Planet Surf posted. They used it when they were prototyping a new paddle.

#t=10

One for the river rats - Dan Gavere amazes with a session on the White Salmon River, part of Oregon's Columbia River Gorge in the US - tricky as.

Here's the ultimate family trip. Channelling the Leylands, Beau Nixon and his family trace 200km of the Green River in Utah over 10 days. The family that paddles together.

Happy paddling, SJKJ

Never underestimate the importance of a sausage sanger!

Here's the draw for the first round of the US Open men's SUP surfing event. I believe it's supposed to be running on Monday the 28th. Imagine winning the Trials event then coming up against Mo and Noa - thanks very much. Catch live action at www.appworldtour.com/

Pic of Mo ripping on the race board is classic. Thanks.

Select to expand quote

laceys lane said..
wow. I don't know all those names but that looks like a hell of a big name comp

Second that point all horror heats , great to see all this talent coming together for these comps. The sport is getting stronger and stronger.

Here's the women's repechage round (round 2) and third round from the US Open. Competing tomorrow. Good to see Shakira still in the mix. Interesting to see Izzi Gomez has to make it through the repechage.