Sunshine SUP Race – Report from Team Rider Jake Portwood
“Third time’s a charm! Thanks to Roray Kam, this was the third Sunshine SUP race in Pompano Beach, FL and it was the best one so far! Mostly because I won.
The series that Roray is putting on is Battle of the Paddle style with six 1 mile laps with a short beach run in between each lap. With perfect conditions this event had a great turn out, over 70 racers from all over FL and some real competition. The race began with a beach start and a dash for the first buoy; I pulled out slightly in front of Packet Casey and just behind him Mark Athanacio. The first two laps i thought Packet was toying with me as he normally does, then he normally picks it up and catches me by 2nd or 3rd lap. This race i was not letting that happen.
I was racing the 12’6 x 25″ starboard ACE, the shape was perfect for the ocean that day but a little difficult on all 6 turns in the course, so Packet would start closing the gap at the turns and I would have to motor to widen my lead. By the last lap i was still in the lead, and I realized that I needed to pick it up so he didn’t catch me, and that I did doubling my lead in the last lap I finished in 1:10, Packet 1:11, Mark 1:15.
A great race followed by a live band on the beach, more relay races, and tons of raffles benefiting Surfers for Autism!” – Jake Portwood
[nggallery id=25]
Back to the Blog