Last weekend I headed over to the east coast of Florida for some wind and waves! The first 3 days we did downwinders on our kites. The waves were easily overhead and a ton of fun. It is always nice to get out in huge conditions that really test your skill as a rider. If you mess up in waves like that you will most likely find your kite in pieces and a hard swim in to the beach. By the time Sunday rolled around the wind finally let up and it was time to surf. Being a kiter and a surfer is great because it allows me to do whatever the conditions suite best. My sides were bleeding and scabbed from so much twisting and turning in my harness as I slashed downwind for hours at a time. It was time to break out my 9’6 Fanatic FLY and do some stand up surfing. Below is a video I shot with my Go Pro chest mount. Visit www.watermonkeyshop.com for the kiteboarding video. Enjoy!!
Check out the surf video HERE!
Battle in California!
It seems like I just got back from the Battle of the Paddle in Hawaii and now its already time for California! The BOP California had over 750 competitors from around the world last year. This year is sure to break 1,000 racers with ten's of thousands of spectators! I have been doing a lot of cross-training with hardly any paddling. My back is still recovering from my nagging injury I sustained in Hawaii. My injured down-time has given me a real appreciation for being healthy and active. It's too often that we take our health for granted and don't realize how lucky we are until its gone! I'm trying to do a better job of being thankful for my ability to do such great activities on the water. Make sure you tune in October 2nd and 3rd to the live webcast here. Stay tuned for more info from California and our big race October 30th on St. Pete Beach! Happy paddling!
Fall Paddle Time!
September is here and hopefully that means cooler paddle weather for Tampa Bay! Its nice to be able to actually go outside in the middle of the day and not immediately begin to profusely sweat. We have a lot of exciting things going on in the next few months. September 25th we will be heading out to Ft. Desoto to paddle among the mangroves. October 30th we are putting on the first annual 'Halloween Paddle Party' at The Post Card Inn on St.Pete Beach. A 4 mile course race and costume relay races are sure to be a great time! Be sure to mark your calendars for December 11th as we host a HUGE stand up paddle race at Whiskey Joe's in Tampa. We will have over $3,000 in cash in prizes for racers of all skill levels. There will be a 9 mile 'Elite' stand up paddle race as well as a 3 mile 'Open' race for beginners. Stay tuned for more details. Its going to be an awesome fall with great paddle weather on the way and tons of exciting events!
Water Monkey in Hawaii!!
Water Monkey traveled out to Hawaii to compete in the largest and most elite SUP race in the world. Check out the results and video below!
Now I see why it is called the BATTLE OF THE PADDLE! If you are into stand up paddling you have to try to make it to one of these events. The first day was the Elite course race in Waikiki. Over 100 racers battled it out in windy and wavy conditions. The 5 mile course was by far the hardest race I have ever done. The thrill of catching a wave while trying to catch the competitors around you is like nothing else! Riding the wave becomes a chance to breathe a little easier and look around to realize what an amazing event you are participating in. But don't relax because you still have three laps to go! Run, paddle, try to catch a wave, repeat.
After some confusion on the last buoy of the Elite race I dropped from top 10 to 16th but am still waiting to see the final redone results.In the 10 mile downwinder I placed 3rd in the stock class 19-29 age group.The race was a 10 mile downwinder with over 200 competitors traveling around Diamond Head and finishing in Waikiki. It was only my 3rd downwinder but I am hooked! Coming from the flatness of Florida it is a new and challenging way to paddle. Catching a 10 second glide down the face of an open ocean wave is something every paddler should experience. Check out the pictures on the Water Monkey facebook page and at www.WaterMonkeyShop.com! Check out this video from Hawaii!
Summer racing and more!
Just got back from the Florida Keys after a few great days of kiteboarding. Absolutely beautiful place to kite or stand up paddle. Water Monkey will be organizing trips to the Keys starting this fall! I have been training hard for my first race in a while this weekend. The Gulf Coast Paddle Challenge will be a 9 mile race around Treasure Island. Should be pretty intense! I have to admit that I have been very upset by the events unfolding over the last month relating to the BP oil spill. Very sad and hopefully it will be stopped soon! That is all I have to say about a terrible situation.
June 12th marks the first race of the Water Monkey Summer Series! Gotta keep training for year-round paddle racing! : ) Get out on the water and paddle!
MAY EVENTS!!!
Water Monkey is busy this May! We will be doing an exhibition race with the Tampa Bay Dragon Boat Championships Saturday May 1st! Last year there were over 10,000 people at the event so it will be a great way to expose SUP to the people of Tampa!
Friday, May 7th we will have a booth at the First Friday celebration in downtown St. Pete. Come by and say hello!!
Saturday, May 8th is the Water Monkey Spring SUP Championship!!! Come down to downtown Gulfport at 10 AM to see what SUP racing is all about! Afterparty across the street!! Its going to be a great time! Contact 727-481-3637 or chase@watermonkeyshop.com
Water Monkey is busy this May! We will be doing an exhibition race with the Tampa Bay Dragon Boat Championships Saturday May 1st! Last year there were over 10,000 people at the event so it will be a great way to expose SUP to the people of Tampa!
Friday, May 7th we will have a booth at the First Friday celebration in downtown St. Pete. Come by and say hello!!
Saturday, May 8th is the Water Monkey Spring SUP Championship!!! Come down to downtown Gulfport at 10 AM to see what SUP racing is all about! Afterparty across the street!! Its going to be a great time! Contact 727-481-3637 or chase@watermonkeyshop.com
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