OBX Paddlepalooza Delivers

The 2nd Annual OBX Paddlepalooza absolutely delivered!  Once again, the weather cooperated and gave us a beautiful weekend.  Andy at Wind-NC did an outstanding job putting on the event, along with support from Drew at Hatteras Island Boardsports, Joe at Spa Koru, Mark Colino at Starboard, Frisco Woods Campground, as well as the other sponsors and volunteers.  They did a great job.  Proceeds went to benefit the local Hatteras Island Rescue Squad, which works purely on donations and did an amazing job helping the fine Hatteras Island folks during a very tough hurricane season last year and in years' past.

This year's event grew much bigger than last year's event and I'm sure next year will be even bigger.  This is truly an event for the entire family.  There was something for everyone including a challenging race course for the serious competitors.  This event was sanctioned as a WPA race.  The kids were included with a Juniors race, a kids race, and fun SUP games for the entire family.  The Frisco Woods Campground provided for fancy camping in their fine cabins or your own RV, or you could rough it in your tent.  Our family always enjoys the cabin option.

Here are the results.

After we arrived on Friday afternoon, I lucked in a powered up 4.6 windsurfing session at Canadian Hole in SSE wind before some rain killed the wind.  That was the first time I've windsurfed in 2 months.  It felt great to get back in the straps again especially in 20-25mph wind.  I plan to do a lot more windsurfing again in the remainder of 2012, including the AWT Hatteras Wave Jam in September.

Saturday morning was the SUP racing.  The wind had clocked around from the north and gave us some challenging windy and choppy conditions (my wife was signed up to race but opted out after seeing the wind and chop). 

 The course was laid out so you had wind and chop from all directions as well as several buoy turns.

I finished 1st in the Men's 12'6" division 4 mile race.

Congratulating Mark Colino on his 2nd place finish.  Mark beat me last year by passing me at the finish.  I had to work hard to keep him behind me in this race but it paid off.  Great camaraderie and competition and a friendly rivalry!

My daughter competed in the 2 mile Juniors race on the same course.

She finished 1st even in those tough conditions

The kids race in a fun straight downwind run

My son

They were all winners!

After the races, we went to the beach and I got in some SUP surfing in waist to chest high waves, with a couple of head high sets that came through.  Got in some nice rides on my new Tabou 9'2".  That is a fast and turny board.  

Our other son is slowly getting into it.  Still a little timid though.

Late afternoon was the fun games designed for the kids and the whole family - tug of war on SUP boards, relay races, and a crazy game of watermelon keep away.

The evening awards and pig picking dinner was a lot of fun, along with some great live music.

The kids got recognized at the awards event, which was very cool.  Note to other race organizers - include the kids at the awards event.

McIntyre getting her award

Congratulations to the Women's 12'6" 4 mile race Top 3 winners: April Zilg 1st, Anne Gassett 2nd, Marissa Hedman 3rd.

Men's 12'6" Division 4 mile race Top 3 winners: Waterturtle 1st, Mark Colino 2nd, and Kevin Vangritis accepting the 3rd place award for Mackey Hall.

Men's 14' Division 6 mile race Top 3 winners: Chris Johnson 1st, Bill Gassett 2nd, Greg Lew 3rd

Sunday morning provided 15mph+ NW wind for a fun slalom sesh

Proof the kids don't care to watch you windsurf

My son has been studying the NC lighthouses at school, so naturally we had to go climb the Cape Hatteras lighthouse again.  It's still a great experience every time we do it.  The park service person told us that upon funding approval, they may open up the Bodie Island Lighthouse for climbing in 2013.

We hope to see more of you at next year's OBX Paddlepalooza (1st weekend of June)!