About a year ago, the paddle surfing community on Hilton Head decided that once a month or so, everyone would get together for a paddle social.  Anyone who wanted to paddle, would gather at a determined spot and go out for about an hour or two then get together for a bite or a drink.
In December 2011, my mom lost her battle with lung cancer.  I saw first hand the amazing benefits and caring provided by the Hospice

organization.  A month or so later I  decided to step up and give back.  I organized this event around the paddle social and brought together the surfing community, local merchants, friends and family to gather and raise money for Hospice, calling it ”Paddle for a Purpose.” Just getting together to paddle out, try new SUP’s,share story, give lessons and have fun races introducing new commers to paddle Boarding and to meet new friends.

Several water sports companies on Hilton Head, including my Atlantic Paddle Surfing and H2O Sports brought boards and kayaks allowing  anyone who wanted to try their hand at paddle boarding or being on the water an opportunity to do so.  There was a great turn out of people who all shared a common thread ,being on the water and being touched some way by Hospice . I had over 100 guests participate and many more who donated time, money and  prizes benefiting Hospice who also enjoy being on the water. It was amazing to see the support that was brought together in such a  short time. We had several local businesses donate great items and gifts for raffle and silent auction. A good  friend and fellow paddle boarder allowed us to use his Restaurant to host the after paddle event.  All said and done I raised just shy of $4000.00 all of which was given to Hospice in memory of all who were honored.  It was truly a humbling feeling and accomplishment that I was able to use my resources and position in the paddle community to make a positive impact on a great organization like Hospice.

In honoring the  words of my Mom , ‘If you want a friend, you have to be a friend ” and ” Its the right thing to do”.

A recent test of 14 footers put the Starboard 14′ x 25″ Ace at the top.

1. 19:06 - Starboard Ace 25
2. 19:36 (equal) - DC14 & NSP
4. 19:42 - Naish Javelin
5. 19:48 - Fanatic Fly Race Flat
6. 19:50 - Surftech Bark Dominator
7. 19:51 - Starboard Ace Pro
8. 19:52 - Starboard Ace 27
9. 20:10 - Surftech JM Paddleboards
10. 20:26 - Naish Glide
11. 20:34 - Fanatic Fly Race Open
12. 20:40 - Starboard Pierce Touring
13. 20:45 - Sunny King
14: 21:00 - Starboard Open Ocean AST

Here’s a link for the full story:

http://www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/RPS-SUP-Vic-ultimate-14-board-test-results/

http://star-board-sup.com/2012/product/ace-14-0-25

Email: mike.lujan@comcast.net

The next evolution of the original widebody, Airush introduces the Sector V3. Whether carving, cruising or racing, there’s a Sector that fits your world.

The V3 series has been entirely redesigned based on the feedback of existing and potential Sector riders to meet the wants and needs of the new generation of rider demanding versatility in the Sector.

Staying in the fleet is the Sector V3 60 as the benchmark of the newest Sector V3 66 and the updated Sector V3 54 with also major changes in the boards deck shape, fin positions and options, and tail design.

With the development of new lightwind experiences and the emergence of the carving category, the Airush R&D team spent numerous hours designing a concept called the Progressive Ride Configuration to maximize the capabilities of each board.

What is the Progressive Ride Configuration?

The Sectors feature a unique system where all sizes have a cohesive feel but become more maneuver oriented in the smaller sizes, and more light wind and racing oriented in the bigger sizes. Each board is offered with an optimized fin set for its primary use, and with the option to change the fin sets to vary the key performance characteristics.

Sector V3 54

Introducing the ultimate carving machine, the Sector 54 draws the perfect line between blistering straightline speed and eyeball popping turning.  There narrower design is perfect for flat water carving and blasting, high speed slalom, and optimal lightwind performance for lighter riders.

The new stepped combination tail has a unique design that blends mauverability and stability at high speeds.

The Sector v3 54 features a stock fin option ready for carving.

The optional race fin set is ideal for maximum stability and tactical upwind riding perfect for slalom.

Sector V3 60

The design team set out to make a board that was both faster and easier to turn than the legendary Sector 60 V2.  As the original widebody concept, the Sector V3 60 is ideal for lightwind freerace and freeride, all round slalom and carving and cruising.

The new stepped combination tail has a unique design that blends mauverability and stability at high speeds.

The stock quad fin set found on the Sector V3 60 is optimal for lightwind comfort and cruising.

An updated single back fin made available for increased maneuverability for riders looking for a looser feeling board.

The optional tri fin carver set (Tuttle Box) is ideal for the most maneuverable ride.

Sector V3 66

The Sector 66 takes the light-wind aspects of the Sector to another level, with the race inspired Tri fin configuration for efficiency and Sector shape fundamental for perfect ease of use.  The largest in the range, the Sector V3 66 was made for heavier riders looking for the ultimate freerace and slalom shape or medium weight riders lookings for the earliest planning board possible.

For a more race inspired design, the Sector V3 66 features a stepped squash tail for increased control in light or heavier winds.

The standard tri fin configuration is perfect for a blend of speed, maneuverability, and efficiency.

The quad set has been designed to increase speed and upwind ability.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpFlQ7s0Mzs

I was surfing with no waves, and made a quick video of the 8’0″ pro………  enjoy!

http://youtu.be/LpTCDFqwndE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpTCDFqwndE

Nick Scheel

(excerpt from http://www.lantapaddlesports.com/lanta-blog.html)

You tube video link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDVpNpr_QmY

January 28, 2012  Nick Scheel

2012 Hano Hano Huki Ocean Challenge

The start of the race was critically important with paddlers battling for position as they approached a bottleneck left turn that hugged the jetty. Racers were within inches of each other which made it difficult at times to even get your paddle in the water.  Eventually, I found calm water and worked hard on the paddling techniques Annabel Anderson and Performance Paddling have taught me.

My flat-water NEW Starboard was a drafting machine that tucked in behind the larger unlimited boards.

Following the 4.9-mile course I competed in the 14 and under kids race; with over 50 competitors.  I pulled out to an early lead and wasn’t about to give it up.  The course was a two-lap loop in front of the venders and paddle enthusiasts. I finished first this time but recognize the competition is getting harder each race, as SUP become the fastest growing sport.

Nick Scheel

After a great year of competition, 18 year old Zane Schweitzer charges his way through to the Final and puts on a dominant performance to secure an emotional win at the Hawaii Island Finals.

In epic Honoli’i surf, Zane read the point perfectly, linking together critical turns and progressive maneuvers to finish in the top spot at the Hawaii Island Finals ahead of a fiercely competitive selection of athletes.

“I am just so stoked to end the year with a win, and finish in the finals at both Hawaii events in 2011, Mahalo to the Big Island for its warm Aloha and to Starboard for my great boards”

Video: Schweitzer Takes Stand Up World Tour Win at Honoli’i Hawaii

2011 Namotu World Paddle Challenge

The 2011 Namotu World Paddle Challenge was a great event. The first day they started off big and ran the long distance race first. They said the race was going to be 19 miles, but it ended up being 23 miles. The race was from Natadola Beach on the main island to Namotu Island and there were about 15 of us at the starting line. We were all on 12’6’ race boards – which made the crossing that much more challenging. It was a beach start and once I heard go – it was on. Right from the get go all the young guns pulled out to the front of the group. Slater, Zane, Noa, Kai and

Connor in the lead around Namotu Island

I were in the front and headed out to the Navy Ship, which was our outside marker we had to round. I was the first to round it and turned down to start the fun. It was pretty light, but there were still some fun bumps to catch. I caught some really long ones in the beginning and then the race started to get worse and worse. It got littler and the current started to go against us. Around the half way mark, I had a good lead and still felt strong, but then it was getting flatter and flatter and there were no bumps to catch. By the time I got to Cloud Break, which is not too far off of Namotu, the wind stopped and it was a flat-water grind to the finish line. So I put my head down and I knew what I had to do. As I got closer I caught a wave at Swimming Pools and then I was on the home stretch. When I finally got to the beach and ran up to the finish line, I was so stoked to finish and to come in first place. The race took me about 3 ½ hours. So, I rested up for the rest of the day and was getting ready for the next race of the event.
The next day we got to rest and surf it up, which was a lot of fun, but the next day was the race day. This race was run in heats – in and out of the surf around buoys. I was in the first heat. I waxed my board and headed for the beach. The top two made it to the next round, so my plan was just to go as hard as I needed to advance – and I did that and was second behind Zane. This put me into the next round, so I went into the shade and drank water. The next heat was a little harder, but I had the same strategy and I went hard in the beginning then took it easy to save my energy for the final. Once again I came in second, which put me into the finals.

Connor & Kai battling it out

As the day went on, the wind got stronger and the waves were getting bigger and the tide was dropping. Padding out for the finals I knew what I had to do and right when they said go I was gone. Kai, Zane and I jumped out in front and then I pulled away from those guys. I rounded the first buoy first and started heading in. Coming in I caught a big wave and it doubled up and I got pounded. I manage to get back up and still make it to the next buoy in first place, but on the way out the current was super strong, which allowed Kai to catch up. So Kai and I were battling it out to the last buoy and a freak set took us out but we got on our boards and kept going. I sprinted my brains off and got in front and rounded the buoy first, but Kai manage to catch a wave that I couldn’t get which put him in first and me in second. It is crazy when racing in waves anything can happen, you can be leading, but all of a sudden something happens and then you fall back a few places. Super stoked for Kai, but now we were tied for the Overall – both with a first and second place.

So, now we had to do a tiebreaker, which wasn’t going to be announced until the day of the race.

Connor: Last Day in Fiji scoring surf

Once again we had a rest day – which was filled with surfing and playing. And then the next day was the moment of truth. We found out that the course was going to be around the island of Namotu, combined with a surf race. So I was super stoked and was getting everything together for a long day. Once I got down to the start it was blazing hot and I knew it was going to be a long one. So once I heard Tristan Boxford say “GO!!!!!!!” it was on.  The race was super hot and long, but I lead the whole race and had the rest of the competitors draft me, so once we got to the waves I was drained. Slater and Jake passed me up, but my main goal was to stay ahead of Kai. We went in and out thought the surf a few times and then on the home stretch I got a good wave in and Kai did as well and was right on my tail. Coming in bashing boards with Kai until we got closer and I just gave it every last bit of energy I had, hit the beach and ran up ahead of Kai – Winning the Overall Event Title.

I was super stoked with the whole event and to top off the trip we got some great waves for surfing.

Overall: Connor, Kai, Slater and Jake

I want to thank my sponsors for all their support – Starboard, Rainbow Sandals, Rista Fins, Maui Jim Sunglasses, EFX Technology, Dakine, Nike 6.0, GoPro Cameras, On It Pro, Waterman’s Sunscreen, Sunrite Maui, and Hi-Tech Sports. Also, Scott Sanchez (MPG) for his wisdom on fitness and training!!

Also a big Mahalo to all the event organizers and volunteers. Scott and Mandy for all their hospitality on Namotu. Great Event!!

Aloha -
Connor Baxter