I was stoked that the Stand Up For The Catawba race attracted some very talented paddlers both locally and from out of town. There were 6 mile, 3 mile, and kids races....something for everyone.
Port City Club hosted the event and there were a bunch of sponsors displaying. Great event for the area and I'm sure next year's event will be even bigger.
Some related links to check out:
Pics taken by my lovely bride....
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| racers meeting |
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| 6 Mile Elite Division start |
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| 3 mile Recreational Division start |
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| My daughter McIntyre coming in for a strong finish |
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| Our friend Dawn finishing strong |
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| Santa made an appearance |
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| Dawn & McIntyre |
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| Finishing the 6 mile race, that's me in black shirt & green shorts trying to chase down 2nd place finisher Justin Schaay |
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| Top 3 in Men's Elite 6 mile race (14' boards) - Corey Taylor (1st), Justin Schaay (2nd), and I (3rd) |
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| Kids race getting ready to begin |
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| Kids Race Start |
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| My sons doing the stare down at the finish - they aren't competitive...ha ha! |
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| Awesome trophies for all the 1st place finishers |
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| There was a great post race celebration complete with BBQ & Hula Girls - my son had to get in on the act |
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| Corey (right) and I |
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| Top 3 Womens Elite 6 mile (12'6" boards) - Julia Nicholls (3rd), April Zilg (1st), and Karen Wilson (2nd) |
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| Top 3 Womens Recreational 3 mile 12'6" board winners - McIntyre got 3rd |
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| Top 3 Mens Recreational 3 mile 12'2" & under board winners - sorry don't have the names but that's Harry at right (Santa) |
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| Top 3 Womens Recreational 3 mile 12'2" & under board winners (Leanne in the middle - 1st) |
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| The kids race podium winners - 8 yr old Kaden from Wilmington crushed it |
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| Family photo |
The Battle Royale SUP Race was a blast too. Taking place on a Thursday night at the US National Whitewater Center, it was a sprint race with multiple heats....the top 2 in each heat advancing. It was a buoy style course in the lower pond where the 2 whitewater river channels converge. Flat water, but with moving water and current that gave us a fun challenge. Everyone was racing on the same boards - Boardworks 10'6" inflatable SUP boards. There was a big crowd on hand for the Thursday night River Jam (live music) overlooking the race.
I advanced in my 1st two heats to get to the final but biffed it big time in the final heat against three talented whitewater experts. I had the lead but fell off my board in a strong current that I navigated successfully in the first two heats, but it finally got me in the final and I finished 4th overall. My daughter did well in her heats (against the men) and won the women's final heat. It was a very fun night and they are doing it again on July 24th....looking forward to it.
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| My daughter and I |
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| the course |
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| the heat draws |
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| Dana, MJ, & McIntyre - Girl Power! |
