Nick Scheel San Clemente Ocean Festival Race Report
July 17, 2011
The San Clemente Ocean Festival is known as “The Greatest Show on Surf”. For 35 years the Ocean Festival has brought together some of the best waterman and woman from around the country. This two-day of event includes a variety of beach sports such as dory racing, ocean swimming, body surfing and of course Stand Up Paddle racing.
The Ocean Festival has become one of my favorite events because it’s on my home turf in San Clemente, CA.
I participated in the 3.5 mile SUP sprint that has a beach start and a beach finish. Having home court advantage on my side helped me finish first in the 14 and under division. Believe it or not, I live so close I paddled to the event. My Starboard once again performed flawlessly!
In addition to the Ocean Festival I had 6-man outrigger races in Long Beach. Not only did I compete in the 12 and under division, I was asked to race up in the 14 and 16 year old age groups. The 12 and under division crushed the competition by more than 40 seconds, competing with clubs from Oceanside, Newport Beach, Marina Del Rey, and Santa Barbara.
A first Place finish in SUP and a first place finish in outrigger… a weekend of competition for sure, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am starting to focus my attention to the Battle of the Paddle just around the corner.
Nick Scheel
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