Weekly SUP News - Fanatic's first move

Busy at work still, so short & sharp (& late) this week.

This week's number: 6
In 2010 a skinny 14-year old won the inaugural Maui 2 Molokai (M2M) race, ahead of same fancied paddlers. Last weekend that same kid added to his unbroken record, winning the race a sixth time. Of course that kid, still built like a beanpole, is Connor Baxter. No doubt you've seen the pic of him posted elsewhere on the 'Breeze, cruising to victory on his unlimited board in the SB livery.

It's remarkable to look back at the 14-year old Baxter after his first M2M win, having outpaddled the likes of Dave Kalama and Mark Raaphorst. That was the first of many prize cheques. The word preternatural comes to mind when describing Baxter's talent.


There was plenty else to celebrate in the M2M, including a host of Australian's racing and mixing it with the best. Matt Nottage's stunning downwind form continues with a second, while Vinnicius Martins (Brazil) grabbed third.

Brazilian women sure can downwind too - Andrea Moller once again topped the women's podium, while Lena Ribeiro claimed third. Kiwi Penelope Strickland split the two, taking second.

Full results below. Well done to all that finished - an average of 4? hours on a board in those conditions is admirable.




While Baxter carries the favourite tag coming into this weekend's Molokai to O'ahu (M2O) race, his competition isn't laying down. Australian Travis Grant, a previous M2O winner, clinched a competing downwind race last weekend, the Cline Mann Memorial Paddleboard Race. It traced a 14.5km course along the southern coast of O'ahu, from Hawaii Kai to Kaimana (refer map below).



Hawaiians rounded out the podium - Manny Kulukulualani in second and Riggs Napoleon third. Note that Napoleon, who happens to be the youngest person to cross the Molokai to O'ahu (Ka'iwi) Channel solo at 12 years old, was on a 14' board, having just recovered from shoulder surgery.

It was also great to see Australian Terrene Black's rough water form continue, with a first among the women. Amy Woodward second and Annabel Anderson third, both on 14' boards, were split by only 20 seconds across the line.

To get everyone motivated for this weekend's M2O, the pinnacle of downwind racing, here are a couple of preview vids (sorry about the naff soundtrack on the first vid).

www.totalsup.com/en/videos/item/576

To familiarise yourself with the race, here's a map of the course. The race starts at Kalua Koi on Molokai and finishes at the beach at the Maunalua Bay Beach Park bath house, a distance of over 51 kilometres (36 miles old school).



Prone starts at 7:30 local time Sunday (that's 3:30am Monday, Sydney time) while SUPs start at 8:00. Top finishers are expected across the line at about 11:30 (7:30am Sydney).

And here's a link to weather conditions in the channel. www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/pages/zone.php?zone=PHZ116

Best of luck to all those who find themselves on the starting line.

And don't forget, the final round of the European Cup also occurs in Italy this weekend, as part of a surf expo in Rome.

Quiver talk
Fanatic is the first of the big name brands to release details of its 2016 line up. Not the full line up, mind you, but an effort perhaps to stretch out the marketing campaign and steal a march on other brands. They've also seen fit to extend the colour palette beyond the customary red. The early release includes surf, white-water, fitness and yoga oriented boards, all with matching inflatable versions.

Some of the discussion about the new vanguard-style surf board was surprising, including some vitriol from those who hadn't set foot on the board. Here's the link for those who are interested in setting foot on the boards. www.fanatic.com/sup/our-world/news/news




The expanded Lahui Kai range, designed by Brian Szymanski, has landed in Australia. It includes a narrower 14 ft'r, a touring board and 10'3, 9'9 and 8'3 surf boards. Here's a taste.


On the paddle front, DJ proudly showed the world the new bent shaft from Kialoa. The rest of us will have to wait until next year for production models, but apparently the kink helps generate the correct arm bend at the top of the stroke.

Happy paddling,
SJKJ

Nice work mate. Great to see the latest info in one go.