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Saturday 3rd May 2014- The Inaugural Sydney International Paddleboard Classic
Gale Force North Westerlies offshore meant that the competitors in this morning's Sydney International Paddle Board Classic raced a revised course.
The race started in the far western end of Narrabeen Lake before continuing out through the Lagoon to the Oceanside and then up the Coast from North Narrabeen to the Finish at Fisherman's Beach.
A small but solid crew lined up at Middle Creek Reserve waiting for Starter Dean Gardiner's instructions before charging out of Narrabeen Lake.
Wind Surf & Snow's Sam Parker took Line Honours and was also first in the unlimited division. Sam's Starboard Sprint Unlimited 17'6 board looked more like an Olympic K1 than a SUP and was quick!
Jake Jensen took out the 14ft division with a convincing win over James Casey, with Vaikobi's Dave Coward finishing a fantastic 3rd! Vaikobi Race Team's Grant Hardiman finished a strong 4th in the 14ft division as he recovers from a chest infection that has kept him off the water for the past few weeks.
Tammy Montgomery took out the Women's. Brett Barber took out the 50+. Well done to all competitors and organisers. Vaikobi was stoked to be part of it!
All results can be found at: http://oceanpaddler.racetecresults.com/Results.aspx?CId=115&RId=44
With strong growth continuing for Vaikobi in the Northern Hemisphere, it is with great pleasure that we are able to announce two new appointments to the Vaikobi Commercial Team who will assist with Vaikobi’s expansion plans in Europe & North America.
Europe- Robert Nagy (FRA) has joined Vaikobi as European Sales & Marketing Manager. With over a decade of experience in the watersports apparel industry plus a lifetime of high level racing in Sailboarding, Multihull, Olympic and Offshore Single Handed Sailing disciplines, Robert is well placed to help drive the Vaikobi business in Europe.
Robert is also the French Distributor for Epic Kayaks through his company, Wind Machine and will play a strong role for the Vaikobi brand both in France and throughout Europe.
Pat Langley, from Vaikobi, commented that, “Having worked with Robert over many years, we have developed a strong working relationship that will position us well as we grow in the watersports market in Europe. With our strong focus on Paddle Sport, Robert will be working hard to support our building European network of stockists.”
Robert is based in Brittany, France and can be contacted at: Robert@vaikobi.com Ph + 33 668 002 822
North America- Austin Kieffer (USA) originally joined the Vaikobi Race Team, as one of the best up and coming paddlers in the US and Internationally. Austin loved the Vaikobi products and brand so much, that he wanted to become more involved and his experience and background made him a perfect fit for the Vaikobi Team.
Austin joins Vaikobi as our North American Marketing Representative and will be working hard to build our brand profile in the Paddle Sport market to support the growing number of stockists in North America.
Pat added that “From the first time I met Austin I was extremely impressed with him as an individual who is extremely capable and personable. His paddling & coaching skills on the water need no introduction and his passion for the Vaikobi brand is fantastic.”
Austin also represents Fenn Kayaks through the US based Ocean Paddle Sports.
Austin is based in San Diego, CA and can be contacted at: Austin@vaikobi.com Ph +1 828 775 8989
For more information on Vaikobi, please visit www.vaikobi.com
For International Stockist inquiries, please contact sales@vaikobi.com
With less than a week to New Zealand's biggest race, King of the Harbour, all eyes are on the all important weather forecast to see what conditions competitors will face on Saturday March 29th.
The 24km course will be decided on race day depending on wind conditions and will be either Auckland- Waiheke Island or reverse. Present forecasts indicate light South Westerlies with a fairly benign sea state, however we all know that this can change and we are all hoping to enjoy some great downwind runs!
In the strong Surf Ski Division, defending champion Ben Fouhy will enjoy a strong challenge to his title in the shape of South African Dawid Mocke who will be aiming to make sure he doesn't leave New Zealand empty handed. Other challengers include Mike Walker, Marty McDowell, Travis Mitchell, Simon Longdill, Tim Grammer, Oskar Stielau and Garth Spencer amongst the expected 70 competitors from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa & Taihiti.
In the Womens, Ex Kiwi now Aussie, Tracy Wilson will be looking to challenge last years winner Rachel Clarke for the "Queen of the Harbour Title", whist in the Double's, Brothers Max and Elliott Riley will be looking to charge home first. Max is another ex Kiwi, now living in Sydney who will be travelling over for the race.
A strong SUP field will also be racing the 24kms from Auckland to Waiheke with Travis Grant looking to defend the title he won in 2013. Beau O Brian, Jake Jensen, Armie Armstrong, JP Tobin and Anabel Andersen will be looking to challenge Travis for the title.
Vaikobi is a proud sponsor of the King of the Harbour and will report back at the conclusion of the race. All competitors will be wearing Vaikobi Hi Vis competitor vests on race day.
For more info visit.www.kingoftheharbour.co.nz
King of the Harbour is proudly sponsored by: Vaikobi, iPaddle, Fenn, Horley, Mocke, Canoe Racing NZ, Nelo, Jantex, Rocktape and Fullers
Saturday March 8th
A massive field of 158 paddlers lined up on for the second round of the Surfski Australia Harbour Series held on Pittwater. A light Northeasterly headwind was on hand to keep competitors body temperatures down as they charged up to Sandy Point before turning around to the finish at Bayview to complete the 14km course.
Think Kayak's Paul Smith providing a thumping performance to take out overall Line Honors as well as first single ski. John Diggin and Dale Jackson filled out the remaining spots on the podium.
In the strong double ski division, Tony Hystek and Richard Robinson were too strong for the Fenn Double of Kobi Simmat and Maxi Riley who led for the first half of the race. Mark Byrne and Brett Worth took out 3rd.
Camille de Carmejane took out the ladies whilst Epic's Tony (TK) King took out the 60+.
It was a Vaikobi battle in the SUPs with Grant Hardiman claiming a tight win from Dave Coward with Mike Hayes in 3rd. Solid effort guys. John Nicotra took out the short course mens whilst Angie Nicotra took out the short course womens.
Next round is the Cronulla Runner on March 22nd. See you there!
For results, please check out www.surfskiaustralia.com
Monday March 10th 2014
Vaikobi's Grant Hardiman takes out 2nd place
The Sydney SUP Expo/ Scotland Island 6km SUP Race was held yesterday at Royal Motor Yacht Club under brilliant conditions and was hailed as a roaring success!
With legend paddlers, Chuck Patterson (Naish Team Manager) and Hawaiian Riggs Napoleon in attendance, there was an air of excitement at the race briefing run by Rob Brown at 9am.
Under the watchful eye of race director Sam Williams, the day kicked off with the Scotland Island 6km Race & 1.5km short course at 9.30am. Fifty eight (58) competitors lined up off the Royal Motor Yacht Club start line awaiting the starters instructions and after a short wait the elite racers were off at a solid pace!
Vaikobi's Grant Hardiman led for most of the race before being pipped by a charging Toby Cracknell in the last 100 metres. Andy Davis took out the remaining spot on the podium. Tammy Montgomery took out the Ladies division whilst Riggs Napoleon did not disappoint and took out the U/19's. Riggs is a weapon!
Marty Cole took out the SUP ATX Short Course.
Grant was pretty pleased with his 2nd place after taking out the Pittwater Challenge the day before capping off a pretty good weekend for him. Awesome work Grant!
Full Results can be found here:
6km SUP:http://www.webscorer.com/racedetails?raceid=19311&did=23090
SUP ATX Shortcourse: http://www.webscorer.com/racedetails?raceid=19311&did=23091
Back on land, there was action aplenty with non stop demo's and the SUP time trial challenge (taken out by Riggs Napoleon again!). The demo's were a huge hit with kids, adults and families all getting into a Vaikobi Race vest and getting out on the water to test out the latest and greatest boards from Bic, Naish, JP, NSP & ATX.
It was fantastic to see so many kids out on the pond at RMYC and getting out on a SUP board. More than one future champion was bred yesterday for sure!
Photo Credit: Australian Paddle Surfer Magazine
Photo Credit: Australian Paddle Surfer Magazine
Balmoral Paddlesurf's Jill Wong giving a bit of advice
BicSUP's Bevan McKavanagh taking a Young Bic racer out for a spin.
A big congratulations to the event organisers and in particular to Andrew Allen from Balmoral Paddlesurf, Rob Brown from RMYC and Sam Williams from Jamieson Park Paddle who put in a big effort to make this event a reality.
A huge shout out to our fellow event sponsors, Royal Motor Yacht Club, Naish, BicSUP, NSP, JP Australia, Balmoral Paddlesurf, Zhik & Barz Optics
Vaikobi will be exhibiting at the Sydney SUP Expo at Royal Motor Yacht Club on Sunday March 9th.
Vaikobi will be exhibiting at the Sydney SUP Expo at Royal Motor Yacht Club on Sunday March 9th.
This unique event will have something for everyone:
- 6km Round Scotland Island Race
- SUP expo including a Vaikobi stand packed with fantastic SUP gear
- SUP Demos from leading manufacturers- Bic, Naish, NSP, JP & SUP ATX
- Celebrity Race
- Family and Friend time trial challenge
-Kids area with jumping castles and much more....
This is going to be a great day out with plenty of activities for everyone so bring the family down for what is going to be a great day!
Sunday Feb 23rd
Vaikobi's Michael Booth produced a massive performance to record a big win today in the Manly Wharf Bridge to Beach Classic.
After enduring a battle with fellow Gold Coast paddler Jeremy Cotter for two thirds of the race, Boothy was able to drop Jeremy in Middle Harbour and charged to a 35 second victory. Sasa Vujanic took 3rd place in the single ski category.
Boothy was stoked with the break through victory which sets him up for a great week of flat water sprint kayak racing in Penrith that begins on Tuesday.
Greg Tobin with Adam Rowe from Newcastle claimed a massive win in the double and beat off 40 other teams to arrive first at Manly Wharf.
Tracey Wilson paddled an awesome race to take out the womens Single Ski.
With the Sydney SUP scene growing from strength to strength, a strong field of 38 SUPs were on the start line under the Harbour Bridge. Wind Surf n Snow's Sam Parker scored a 50 second win from Peter Myer and Lee Johnson in 3rd place. Tammy Montgomery took out the Female SUP division over Courtney Cooper and Jill Wong.
Vaikobi is proud to sponsor this year Bridge to Beach Classic and congratuations to the team at Ocean Paddler/ Fenn for putting on yet another great race which also raised much needed funds for the Fragile X charity organisation of Australia.
Interim results are up at: http://www.oceanpaddler.com/2014/02/23/manly-wharf-bridge-to-beach-results-2/