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Tag Archive: nick scheel

1. Nick Scheel Recap: 2012 Battle of the Paddle

   October 15, 2012 9:47 pm Leave a Comment

   Throughout the year I compete in a number of important races, however none are as important as The Battle of the Paddle. The Battle of the Paddle remains the biggest and most prominent race of the year and in my mind determines the World Champion. Racers from New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, Mexico, South Africa, gather in my home town of Dana Point, to be crowned the top Stand Up Paddler.

   This is my fourth year competing in the Battle of the Paddle. You would think I’d be less nervous each year, but in fact it’s the opposite. Two weeks out, my goal was to train and practice daily. With the help of Annabel Anderson, I had a circuit of training routines. A combination of sprints, long distance paddles
   and surfing is needed to compete at the BOP.

   The weekend started with the SUP Awards. I was pleased to be invited and participate in a great evening acknowledging the leaders in the industry. Awards were given to the top racers, however and maybe more importantly, awards were given to people who made a difference and raised money for a good cause like Zane Schweitzer.

   My race weekend started off with the 4.5 mile Open Race on Saturday morning. With such a large field it was critical to find clean undisturbed water. I competed in the 18 and under division and finished with a solid 5th place.

   The 10 mile Distance Race was on Sunday morning. There was a lot of strategy and I was fortunate to be part of an effective drafting train. We alternated spots, and systematically passed other racers as we inched our way towards the top of the field. I pulled a 4th place finish, within the 12.6 foot, 18 and under division. As a 13 year old competitor I was pleased.

   Lastly the day was wrapped up with the 14 and under “Grom Race”. I was stocked to have Annabel Anderson coach me on strategy as well as act as my board caddy. The race started with a thundering set of waves and sea of white water. This made for a slow start with boards and racers getting tossed like rag-dolls. The crowed loved it as the rescue jet ski and elite paddlers collected the carnage. Coming out of the first lap I was in third place, and half way into the second and final lap pulled into first. As I was surfing my way into the beach my board dug a rail and I took a slow motion fall. The board enjoyed the
   ride towards the beach, but unfortunately without me. This was just enough time for the next racer to pass me and finish with a second place.

   It was great to see Team Starboard uniting at the Battle of the Paddle and being the dominate force in the industry.

2. Nick Scheel Race Report: San Clemente Ocean Festival

   July 26, 2012 2:59 pm Leave a Comment

   The San Clemente Ocean Festival is known to most as the “Greatest Show On Surf”!  I fondly think of it as my home town race.  The two day event has a number of competitions including surfing, bodyboarding, open ocean swims, dorey races, and of course SUP.

   I participated in the 3.5 mile SUP race on Sunday morning.  Fans lined the pier and beach to watch the start and finish of the race and to cheer on their favorite athletes.  From the pier the racers headed north to Seal Rock and finished in front of San Clemente Life Guard HQ.  Equipped with my new Starboard BOP, I had the perfect board for the race! (Even when I took a fall at the very end when I tried to catch a wave, I recovered and beat my rival…my dad!)  From the start, I had a quick pace, probably one of my fastest, and I pulled ahead of most of the competitors.

   I am pleased to have finished in first for the Groms!

   http://www.ocregister.com (Ocean Fest)

3. Nick Scheel Race Report: Noah Kalama Outrigger Classic

   July 20, 2012 5:06 pm Leave a Comment

   This past weekend I had the Noah Kalama Outrigger Classic in Long Beach, California.  Generally the Noah Kalama is strictly an outrigger race.  However with the explosion of SUP the promoters have jumped on the band wagon.  My morning was filled with the outrigger races, I competed in the U14, U16 and U19 divisions.  My U14 pulled a second overall competing with over dozen teams throughout California.

   After a quick download of water, I was ready for the U14 Stand Up Paddle race.   We’re seeing more and more outrigger paddlers crossing over to Stand Up.  People that love to paddle, love to paddle.  It was an open water start, 1/2 mile sprint to a buoy 180 degree turn and back to shore.  Basic race that is well suited for all levels.  I hit the water hard and sprinted to the buoy. At the turn, I had a comfortable lead, and was able to back off the throttle a bit.  I was fortunate to take a first place finish against an enthusiastic crowd of paddlers.

   This upcoming Saturday I have another double header at the Kahakai race in Long Beach.  Sunday, I’m at “the Greatest Show On Surf”.  The San Clemente Ocean Festival.

4. Nick Scheel Race Report: Race the Lake of the Sky, South Lake Tahoe

   July 10, 2012 5:21 pm Leave a Comment

   From start to finish, “Race the Lake of the Sky” will go down as one of my favorite races.  South Lake Tahoe is known for its skiing but in years to come it will also be known for Stand Up Paddling.  In the summer months the snowboarders and skiers have turned into a passionate SUP community.

   I was stocked to receive my Starboard BOP they day we were leaving.  Like Christmas day I was excited to open the box, screw in the fin and let it rip.  And it did just that!!!

   My first event  was a file mile race with 115 competitors.  It was clear after the first mile my lungs were not used to the 7,000 foot elevation, breathing was difficult and fatigue set in much sooner than expected.  I finished third place in the 13-17 division.

   The second event on Saturday was the grom race where 35 youth paddlers tested their skills on a short course with numerous buoy turns.  The Brakett boys, Tahoe natives and team 404 riders, put up a great fight through the 400 yard course.  I was able to take the inside turn on the last buoy and gain enough distance to take first place.

   Sunday morning started off with the main event; 14.4 mile race to Emerald Bay and back.  I will admit I was nervous thinking about 14.4 miles at 7,000 foot elevation.  Forget about winning, I just wanted to finish in one piece.  With Josiah Brakett on my tail at all times there was no time to enjoy the beauty of Lake Tahoe.  Instead of looking for Bald Eagles, I was looking for smooth water and any opportunity to extend my lead.  At the final buoy turn and 14 miles behind us, Josiah took the inside turn and we were shoulder to shoulder.  We pressed our boards into one another making it impossible to paddle on both sides.  A technique we’ve both learned in our performance paddling clinics.  I just didn’t know we would be using it against each other.  I could hear the voice of the announcer booming and the crowd cheering as we exchanged paint.  Seemed more like Nascar than the typical stand up race.  Brakett was determined not to come in second as the home town favorite and race promoter’s son.  As we approached the beach, Brakett jumped off his board early while I opted for one last paddle stroke and hit the sand dry.  I edged Brakett out in what was nearly a photo finish.  The overall winner was Thomas Maximus (Team Riviera) followed by Danny Ching (Team 404).

   My last race of the day was a team relay.  Candice Appleby was our team captain and we all agreed my Starboard BOP was the best all-around board for the race.  26- 4 person teams entered the race.  The first turn was chaos and it appeared that more people were in the water than on their boards.  We had a solid third place finish.

   In total I took a first, second and two third place finishes.  As the only Starboard rider I was pleased to have some podium time!!!

    

5. Nick Scheel Race Report: 2012 Hano Hano Huki Ocean Challenge

   February 7, 2012 9:59 pm Leave a Comment

   The race was held in Mission Bay, San Diego.  Over 600 paddlers (around 350 on SUP) competed in California’s first big race of the year.  The record turnout exceeded the Battle Of The Paddle in overall paddler participation.

   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.

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   Nick Scheel

6. 2 Great Races for Nick Scheel

   October 14, 2011 4:59 pm Leave a Comment

   Battle of the Paddle
   Race Report- September 25, 2011
   Nicholas Scheel

   I’ve now competed in this world-class event three times. Without question The Battle of the Paddle is my favorite race. Living in Southern California allows me to participate in many races. But generally I compete against the same racers week after week. The Battle of the Paddle gives me the opportunity to see how my skills match up with other racers from around the world.

   This year I had the pleasure of training alongside Starboard teammate Annabel Anderson from New Zealand. Her workouts were different from my normal training that consists of laps around the Dana Point Harbor. Annabel had me sprinting laps on and off the board, working on turns, perfecting my starts and smoothing out my stroke. Without question her coaching skills made a big difference.
   I competed in the 5.0 mile Open Race as well as the 14 and under Kids Elite Race. This year the Battle of the Paddle had more kids than ever. I was competing with youth racers from Lake Tahoe, Florida, Hawaii and even Brazil. The kid’s elite race was a two-lap race that combined wave riding, buoy turns, beach sprints, and of course paddling. I couldn’t help but get a little nervous knowing EJ, Annabel, Connor, Zane and so many of the other Starboard Teammates were watching. I finished third overall and 1st in the 12 and under division.

   Next year I’m setting my goal to qualify for the Elite Race in Hawaii as well as BOP Dana Point.

   Catalina Island SUP Festival
   Race Report- October 2, 2011
   Nicholas Scheel

   Catalina Island is the perfect setting for a SUP race. One week after Battle of the Paddle I was off to Catalina Island on a boat loaded with boards and racers. It was a rough ride across the channel on Friday afternoon, but when we woke up on Saturday conditions were ideal.
   Saturday morning, I competed in the 3.5-mile open race. The open race consisted of three laps. The course was great for spectators as well as the competitors. I gave it everything I had finishing in the top 10 overall, 2nd in 12’6 and number 1 in the 18 and under age group. After my race I was able to watch Annabel Anderson take first place in Woman’s Elite.

   

   Sunday was the 6.0-mile distance race. Mother Nature had turned up the heat and I knew hydration was going to be the key to finish this open water race. I started alongside the elite racers who had a longer 8.0-mile course. It was a rush to have EJ and other Starboard riders next to me as we paddled for an early position. I finished the race in about an hour and 20 minutes, which was good enough to take 2nd in the 18 and under division.

    

   I hope the Catalina Island SUP Festival grows in popularity and becomes an annual event.
   This was my 14th race of the year and I’m looking forward to finishing the year strong.

7. Nick Scheel San Clemente Ocean Festival Race Report

   July 21, 2011 6:00 pm Leave a Comment

   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

8. Part 2 of The Hennesseys 2011

   June 16, 2011 9:32 pm Leave a Comment

   June 4, 2011

   This week’s race was part 2 of the Hennesseys 2011 Series, hosted on my home turf in Dana Point, California.

   The pro course was a 6 mile ocean start and beach finish. It was unique course that went in and out of the surf line several times. A beach finish always adds excitement as paddlers show off their surfing skills. And this race was no exception. The course reminded me of the Battle of the Paddle Elite Race.

   Unfortunately there weren’t enough junior racers’ on the pro course to have a division. Overall I did great and had a lot of fun. It was EJ’s first race back since his multistate road trip. Great to see the Starboard team well represented!

   – Nick Scheel

9. Race Report from Nick Scheel – Malibu Downwinder

   May 30, 2011 11:14 pm Leave a Comment

   Malibu Downwinder, May 8, 2011

   With a 2pm start time the 8th annual Malibu Downwiner had a10-20 mile Northwest wind to assist us in surfing the 7 mile course. Having not competed in a downwinder I was naturally a little nervous. The downwinder was a combination of surfing and paddling rolled into one. Paddle into the swell, shift your weight back and ease into a surf stance… then repeat. It was tons of fun!

   I’ve now had the opportunity to use my Starboard in a variety of race conditions…flat water, open water and now downwind. In each race my Starboard has exceeded my expectations. I finished the 7 mile race in 1:36 minutes. I’m looking forward to this race next year.

   The Malibu Downwiner was my 7th race of the year, I’m on pace to hit my goal of 20 races in 2011.

   Nick Scheel
   Starboard Team Rider

10. Waterman’s Paddle 4 Humanity – Nick Scheel

    May 5, 2011 9:23 pm Leave a Comment

    Waterman’s Paddle 4 Humanity
    
    A great race for a great cause! This race benefiting Surf AID, a charity that supports the Mentawai Islands, is like no other! The race begins with a pep talk about how we are helping these small villages and their people. Then comes the fun part–a six-mile SUP race. Finally, another speech, and then awards…awards for most money raised, top competitors, and divisional awards. Overall, a race I will never forget and all for a great cause.

    – Nick Scheel