The World Paddle Association in cooperation with Hobie and Hennessey’s Inc. announces the 2012 United States Paddle Championships. The Hobie-Hennessey’s U.S. Paddle Championship will include both standup paddling and paddle boarding divisions to be held on June 2, 2012 at Dana Point, California at Doheny State Beach.

Hobie and Hennessey’s has supported paddling boarding for 17 years and started including the sport of Stand Up Paddling in the Hennessy’s events in 2006. “We are extremely excited to have partner’s like Hobie and the World Paddle Association to conduct paddle board events in the Hennessey’s Racing Series. Our partner’s, Hobie and the World Paddle Association share the same vision is to grow the sport of paddling and take the sport to the next level”, states Tim Ritter, race director for Hennessey’s Racing.

The Hobie-Hennessey’s U.S. Championships are conducted in cooperation with the World Paddle Association which rules and guidelines were put in place to be fun, fair and consistent with the current 2012 World Paddle Association SUP Rulebook. All participants should review and know the rules of stand up paddling to help you in your efforts and maximize your success. Be sportsmanlike and enjoy the sport of stand up paddling. For more information with the WPA-Hennessey’s race series go to WorldPaddleAssociation.com and HennesseysPaddleboarding.com

SUPtheWorld.com – A travel website catering to standup paddlers of all ages and skill levels, who’d like a SUP-centric vacation, officially launches today!
SUPtheWorld offers unique surf and/or flat-water locations as well as once-in-a-lifetime expeditions.

Immerse yourself in the pristine waters of Australia, Thailand, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Taiwan, Puerto Rico, the Solomon Islands and many more. All locations cater from couples to small groups and offer personal service with professional guides and packages.

Experience foreign cultures, waters and meet fellow standup paddlers who’ll guide you through their own country, will dial you in to the best places to SUP as well as great local eats and cultural sites. Plus they’ll ensure you get to see a lot of areas from a unique water perspective, far removed from regular vacationers.

SUPtheWorld is conceived and operated by photojournalist Neil Armstrong (aka ‘Moonwalker’ – for obvious reasons!) who, for the past 18 years has been traveling with professional surfers and water stoked folks for many international publications, including SUP Magazine, Standup Journal, Pacific Longboarder Magazine and The Surfers Journal.
He’s spent the past twelve months talking and researching with many in our SUP world to see what people really wanted and expected from a SUP vacation; from frequently traveling Pro SUP athletes to SUP-for-fun families, SUP-centric couples – as well as from his own globe-trotting photo adventures. And along the way, building packages with operators who really understand what it means to be a standup paddler.

To check out all the locations (and to daydream a little) see which country suits you best, visit: SUPtheworld.com

The Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association (DSBIA) and the San Onofre Foundation (SOF) are producing the Doheny Surf Festival August 11 & 12, as a fundraising event for the State Parks. The two day event is an expanded version of the summer surf event that has been held for the last 4 years. It will include all things surf: exhibits, surf demonstrations, environmental education, surf star autograph signings, tandem, outrigger and SUP exhibitions. A major music line-up includes Honk,Common Sense, Paula Fuga, Le Blorr, and big name surprises that can’t be promoted yet due to other engagements in the area. 20,000 attendees are expected.

“We have loved producing a great event over the past four years”, says DSBIA President Bill Brooks, “We’re very excited to have Subaru as our title sponsor, 2012 is going to be an expansion to really step it up a notch.”

Nearly 70 State Parks are slated to close in 2012, and the budgets for the remaining Parks are being slashed. The SOF and DSBIA are California non-profit public benefit charitable corporations, dedicated to protecting the treasured State Parks of San Onofre, Doheny, and San Clemente State Beaches.

“This is a significant effort to show how much appreciation the citizens of California have for their public lands,” says San Onofre Foundation President Steve Netherby. “Every dollar we raise stays right in the local Parks.”

The event will be held in the peak of summer where the maximum number of attendees can enjoy the music, exhibits, surf, art and memorabilia. Beer and wine will be available in the Kona beer garden; great food fare will be served by top food vendors who have supported surfing through the years, among them Serena Mexican Grill, Daphne’s California Greek, and Nalu’s Island Grill.

“The Surf Festival’s vision is to present the surf culture as a leading edge movement in the world today,” says Jim Kempton, the Festival Director and CEO of the San Onofre Foundation. “This will be a celebration of the surf culture and an example of an environmentally sound event that is endeavoring to be 100 percent carbon neutral.”

For Booth and Vendor applications, contact Malia Murray at SurfFestSales@gmail.com.
For more info about DSBIA & San Onofre Foundation: DohenyStateBeach.org, SanOFoundation.org

(SAN CLEMENTE, CA) – Rogue Standup Paddleboards (SUP) announced today it’s 2012 – 2013 impressive team lineup that is poised to win races in all types of stand up paddling across the world in the next few years. The roster comprises the best in SUP surfing, racing and whitewater. Combined, Team Rogue has over 50 wins in the biggest SUP races across the Pacific and Atlantic. For details on all Rogue Sup athletes check out RogueSUP.com/TeamRogue.

For standup surfing and racing, Rogue tapped three of the most legendary waterman of all time: Aaron Napoleon from Oahu, who won the world’s first big wave SUP competition, the 2008 Quiksilver Edition Ku Ikaika Challenge; Ikaika Kalama from the North Shore, who is from one of the most well know Hawaiian “Royal Families” of surfing; and Arsene Harehoe of Tahiti, who is known as the biggest surf legend to come out of Tahiti.

“I approached Rogue about being on their team because Rick is one of the coolest guys ever and my Rogue board is the best board I have ever ridden,” said Aaron Napoleon.

Team Rogue also includes a roster of rocking up and comers who have been winning and placing in the top 10 in competitions throughout Hawaii, Mexico, Florida, California and Colorado. They include: Kainoa Hauanio of Hawaii, who has placed first in a dozen competitions; Riggs Napoleon (Aaron’s son) who, at just 12 years old was the youngest person to cross the Molokai Channel on SUP; Fernando Stalla from Sayulita, Mexico, who recently represented Mexico in the first ISA SUP World Championships in Peru; Brennan Rose who won “Most Inspirational” in Hawaii’s Battle of the Paddle last year; Josh Sleigh from Oceanside, California, a well-known former professional surfer who has just started to dominate in SUP surfing competitions and is progressing the sport with edgy style; Ian McFarland a lifeguard from Merrit Island Florida who has been ruling competitions on the East Coast; Riggs Napoleon, the 14 year old boy wonder of Hawaii; and Alex Mauer from Colorado, who competes in flatwater and whitewater competitions.

“We feel honored to have locked in such an amazing team. To be able to work with legendary waterman such as Aaron, Arsene and Ikaika is like a dream come true as they are all guys I’ve been reading about in surfing magazines for years. It’s also really exciting for us to have guys, like Fernando, Kainoa, Brennan, Josh, Alex and Iain because they are all incredibly ambitious about winning and they all train so hard to reach their goals,” said Rick Karr, Founder and President, Rogue SUP.

“Our goal is to keep this team together for years to come. Each of our team members chose to join Team Rogue because of our company philosophy, performance of our boards, and commitment to research and development. We plan to keep them all happy, as well as expand our team with an equally impressive roster of female athletes, by consistently working to perfect our products,” added Karr.

For more information on Rogue SUP visit: RogueSUP.com

The very best in the world will be heading out to do battle
The very best in the world will be heading out to do battle in Tahiti at the end of the month as the 3rd stop of the Standup World Tour gets underway.
After a second place finish at Sunset, and a disappointing 9th place in France, Kai Lenny will be looking to pick up where he left off last year, with his jaw dropping barrel rides that scored him a near perfect score in the first heat of the day in 2011. If there is one thing we know about this young Champion, he only gets hungrier as the pressure intensifies….

Brazil’s Caio Vaz will be looking to consolidate his position
After an incredible run starting on the Big Island of Hawaii in 2011, Caio Vaz now sits alongside Kai Lenny at the top of the world, ready to step up in Tahiti’s powerful barrels.
Like Kai, Caio is young, hungry and very versatile, having finished 4th in the small beachbreak in France and 7th in the man size conditions at Sunset this year. These two phenomenal athletes will be looking to take the edge here in Tahiti as we approach the half way mark for 2012.

Sean Poynter is hoping to continue his incredible run
Sean Poynter (Starboard), the great hope for the US on the Standup World Tour seems to have come of age, as he posts great performance after great performance, propelling him to an impressive 3rd place overall now in 2012.
Sean’s ability to surf will stand him in good stead in the beautiful barrels of Sapinus, as he looks to continue his climb up the rankings and take down the best.

Brazil’s Leco Salazar to return to Tahiti to stake his claim
After a great event in France, World number 2 in 2011 and currently 4th place overall in 2012, Leco Salazar will be back in Tahiti to represent his country and the Salazar family.
While there are rumors his father will also be back to competition, these are yet to be confirmed, but one thing is for sure, Leco will be looking for redemption after a disappointing finish in 2011.

Tahitians are ready, headlined by Legend Arsene Harehoe
After an impressive 5th place finish in France that has propelled him into 8th overall, 53 year old Arsene Harehoe is looking for his first win on Tour at home in Sapinus. Having locked in one of the highest scores of the contest in 2011, finishing his run in the semi finals, Arsene will be looking for gold at the mystical spot found at Pointe des Pecheurs in Punaauia.
Joining Arsene and equally hungry is Tama Audibert, another legend Vetea ‘Poto’ David and his cousin Dorrence, 2011 Finalist Patrice Chanzy, Didier Tinhin, Serge Carabasse, Patu and many more hopefuls looking to make it through the Trials and into the Main Event.
Looking for redemption at his local spot, Guillaume Bourligueux will have his eyes on a win here at Sapinus, after injuring himself in 2010 and 2011 in the opening round, despite being one of the stand out surfers at the spot.

Hawaiians to step up in Tahiti, a home away from home
We are expecting to see Sunset winner and multiple times World Champion longboarder Bonga Perkins at the Sapinus Pro, presented by Air Tahiti Nui. After a great start to 2012, this will be a proving ground for Bonga in his quest for another world title after having been absent in France.
Also to look out for are Ikaika Kalama well versed in the Tahitian lefthand reefbreaks, and of course not forgetting World Tour regular and current #7, Robin Johnston (Mistral), who will be looking to improve on his overall ranking and make his presence felt in Tahiti after narrowly missing out on the Finals in France.

2011 Champion Peyo Lizarazu to head up Team France
2011 Champion and 2010 Title Contender, Peyo Lizarazu will be looking for a repeat performance in Tahiti this year after a great start to the year at Sunset, and now lying in 5th place overall. Peyo will be joined by young talent Benoit Carpentier, as France currently have 3 athletes in the Top 10, more than any other single country and feeling at home in this French speaking paradise.

2010 Champion Dave Muir to lead wealth of Aussie talent
‘Big Wave’ Dave Muir will be back in force in Tahiti, looking to recapture his 2010 crown and improve on his current 10th place overall on the Stand Up World Tour. But Dave will not be standing alone here in Tahiti, with Justin Holland currently in equal 10th place with Dave overall, looking to improve on his standings on Tour and for a breathrough result here in the translucent barrels of the South Pacific.
Joining the two World Tour regulars, are the new Aussies on the block, Beau Nixon and Keahi de Aboitiz, looking to make their presence felt when it counts and to secure their position on the ever evolving Stand Up World Tour.

Sapinus will as ever be the real star of the show in Tahiti
While the athletes will step up and do battle here at this prestigious stop on Tour, Sapinus, the magnificent reefbreak found in the beautiful region of Punaauia will be the star of the show, as it unloads in all its glory over the shallow reef below for an awe-inspiring display of raw power.
Stay tuned to Standupworldtour.com for one of the most exciting displays of performance stand up paddling ever witnessed. Previews and build up features to follow as well as dedicated microsite.

A big thank you to our partners of the 2012 Sapinus Pro
A big thank you to our partners for the 2012 Sapinus Pro, from Air Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Tourisme, to the Moorings, OPT, Mana and the Mairie of Punaauia, all ensuring that Tahiti remains very much at the heart of the Stand Up World Tour.

For more info, visit: Standupworldtour.com

Win before you begin. Most races are lost the day before a race due to improper hydration. Hydrate the day before a race and you’re providing your body with the best possible scenario. But don’t stop there. Continue race day by hydrating before, during, and after the race.

I live and train at 6,600 feet in the Wasatch Mountains of Northern Utah. This is high desert. Hydration is imperative here and without it, everything dries out. Before becoming truly aware of what proper hydration actually was, and its performance benefits, I, like so many athletes thought about hydration in terms of simple fluid replacement to prevent overheating and cramping. I found out the hard way that proper hydration requires more than just water. Most people don’t think they are experiencing dehydration because they don’t ‘feel’ dehydrated. Plain water just cools your system much like your car’s radiator.

Proper hydration is necessary to maintain the positive mechanism (actually intracellular hydration) with regards to promoting energy production from glycogen resynthesis, stamina, muscle function, performance, and recovery. Dehydration begins within the cell. As a person begins to feel thirsty, they are well on their way to becoming dehydrated.

Intracellular hydration (the fluid within the cell) encompasses 70% of the fluid in your body and is responsible for 40% of your total body weight. Intracellular hydration requires specific nutrients in very precise ratios to be carried into the cell. Extracellular hydration (the fluid outside the cells) encompasses only 20% of the fluids in your body. Water and high sugar sports drinks only promote extracellular hydration.

H2O Overdrive™ or H2O Overdrive HYDRATE™ are scientifically developed high performance sports beverages myself and many other paddlers use to hydrate and energize at the intracellular level. Both products are based on the same balanced electrolyte matrix and deliver the precise ratio of protein and complex carbohydrates with over 30 essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids to promote intracellular hydration which drives energy, performance, and recovery. H2O Overdrive™ contains only 3 grams of sugar per 20 oz. serving and H2O Overdrive HYDRATE™ contains zero sugar per 12 oz. bottle. There are other hydration products out there, but reading labels is important in ensuring that you are getting the correct balance of proteins, complex carbohydrates and amino acids to promote hydration and recovery. So harness the power of hydration and see just how much better you can perform.

At the pinnacle of standup is the downwind run, combining every skill in the sport, from paddling, to surfing to seamanship. And one of the most classic downwind runs in all of paddling is the Maliko run on Maui’s north shore.

So it is only fitting that this classic run is honored with an equally classy event, the Olukai Ho’olaule’a. The sport’s best showed up on Maui to compete as young phenom Connor Baxter took the men’s Elite title ahead of Australia’s Travis Grant, California’s Danny Ching, Hawaii’s Dave Kalama and Jamie Mitchell (Australia). “It was a great run,” Baxter said. “They were calling for no wind and we showed up to the beach and it was on. The start was mayhem. I got caught behind a little bit and battled with Danny (Ching) and Dave (Kalama) and then just put my head down and hammered.” Baxter was recovering from a serious cold that forced him to go on oxygen and take an ambulance ride after last week’s Waikiki Paddle Festival on Oahu.

Grant surprised the local downwind crew, and himself, by finishing second behind Baxter. “Halfway through the run the conditions changed and I was able to put a few surfs together,” said Grant, whose posted a string of impressive victories. Last week he won the Waikiki Paddle Festival. “I was pumped to be able to finish where I did. Especially with how many good paddlers there were out there.”

Winds create the open-ocean swell that racers are then able to surf to the finish line. The stronger the winds, the bigger the bumps. The winds on Saturday weren’t as big as they can get, but there was still some swell for competitors to link rides, bump-to-bump. Most of the Open Elite racers used unlimited boards up to 18 feet with rudders they controlled with their toes. Two-hundred and eighty racers showed up to fill the Rec class, age divisions and Elite classes.

Andrea Moller continued to dominate her home training grounds, taking home her fourth consecutive Olukai title ahead of Talia Gangini (who finished second as she did in 2011) and Devin Blish. “It was fun,” said Moller. “It’s now a lot of pressure to come here every year and win this race. But these are my kind of conditions. I do this run (a lot), I live on Maui. There’s so many people here and you see all kinds of athletes, from the top standup athletes to people who just want to have fun. There’s money and it’s equal for men and women. The Olukai event is one of the best events out there, in my opinion.”

This is the fourth Olukai Ho’olaule’a and it’s become a tradition on Maui as the Olukai team has worked to assimilate itself into the community. The Ho’olaule’a features standup racing, traditional canoe racing, fun paddles for the family and this year, on Saturday night, standup paddler and musician Ekolu Kalama rocked the crowd at Kanaha Beach Park. “We couldn’t be more proud how this turned out,” said Olukai’s Matt Till. “The vision of the event was to get everyone out: from elite paddlers, to families, to people who’ve just started paddling. Plus help the community. It’s been a great day.”

Proceeds from the race go to the Ohana Giveback Program benefiting Maui Cultural Lands and Hawaii’s Junior Lifeguard program. The Monday following the event, Olukai employees and volunteers travel to the Honokowai Valley to help with reforestation and archeological stabilization projects with the Maui Cultural Lands group.

Please stay tuned as we update this article with full results and look for the Olukai Ho’olaule’a on SUPthemag.com’s Wednesday Voice.

Key West Paddleboard Classic
Friday, May 11 – Saturday, May 12
Smathers Beach, FL
SUP Clinic
Join YOLO Board team riders Ernest “EJ” Johnson and Michael “Westy” Westenberger for a skills and techniques clinic on Smathers Beach. Only $50/person and reservations can be made on the registration page of the website.
Fury Water Adventures 12-Mile Elite Race
Paddle all the way around the island in the Elite Race. The scenic course will take paddlers west past White Street Pier and Ft. Zachary Taylor State Park. Paddlers will continue past the Oceean Key House, head toward the Fleming Key Bridge into the Gulf of Mexico, turn to the Cow Key Channel and round the mangroves back to Smathers Beach
Ocean Minded 4-Mile Open Race
Tidal conditions to be considered before final course is decided for the 4-Mile race, although the course will start from Smathers Beach and buoy turns will be included, most likely in a triangle format.
For more info, visit: KeyWestPaddleboardClassic.com

Virginia Beach Paddle For The Cure
Saturday, May 12
Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA
Race 4 miles on Chesapeake Bay or join friends on the beach for the 1-mile Pink Beach Walk. All proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen Tidewater, so don’t forget your check book!
The race will kick off from the beach of the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center at 9am, with the Pink FUNdraiser Flotilla following shortly behind at 9:10am. Racers will compete on the 4-mile course, while the Flotilla will cruise at a more leisurely pace around a 2-mile course. The Pink Beach Walk will start simultaneously with the Flotilla, and run parallel to the paddle course in cheering distance. Help paint the bay and beach pink for breast cancer awareness.
Set up with friends and family on the beach to enjoy the event. DJ, food and beverage will be available on site. An after-party awards ceremony, silent auction, raffle, food and beverages will be held at Hot Tuna starting 1:30pm. Don’t miss your chance to bid on the limited edition “Standup for the Cure” paddleboard from Riviera Paddlesurf.
For more info, visit: VBpaddleforthecure.com

Silverblade Regatta
Saturday, May 12
Fiesta Island, San Diego, CA
200m and 2000m races and relay utilizing all types of paddle craft.
Check in by 10am, 200m heats start at 11am, 2000m at approx. 12:00noon, and 200m finals and Relays at 1:00pm, with Awards at 3pm. Paddlers accumulate points in all races, although competitors must be on the same craft in the 200m and 2000m to win.
Minimum of 3 entries to make a division – age groups 14&U, 18U and Open
The Silver Blade Regatta is for Kayaks, Canoes, Surfskis, and SUP Racing all on a sprint style Regatta Course.
For more info: SDCKT.net

OluKai’s Ho’olaule’a
Saturday, May 12 – Sunday, May 13
Kanaha Beach Park, CA
OluKai’s cultural celebration with fun events for families and races.
May 12 – SUP Race and Ohana Fun Paddle
Race the 8-mile Maliko downwind run competitively or for fun. The race will have a water start in Maliko Bay and a beach run finish at Kanaha Beach Park. The Ohana Fun Paddle will begin at Paia Bay and take place along a 3-mile stretch of the Maliko run, led by Maui’s leading fitness and training expert, Suzie Cooney. Ohanas are welcome to use a paddlecraft of choice and are encouraged to dress up, as the most festive ohana will receive prizes.
May 13 – OC1 Race
The same fun downwind run as Saturday with elite and recreational divisions. Sunday’s race will feature a water start and finish with a 180-degree buoy turn for the water finish.
The elite competitive division races for prize money, while recreational paddlers will paddle for trophies and additional awards. A luau will be held and gender equal prizes of $15,000 goes to first place finishers.
Proceeds benefit the Maui Cultural Lands and Hawaiian Junior Lifeguard programs.
For more info, visit: OluKai.com/hoolaulea

Tackle Fishing Seminar
Sunday, May 13
Peconic Bay Estuary, Wainscott, NY
Stop by Main Beach Surf and Sport in Wainscott, NY and check out the latest in SUP fishing. If you like Kayak fishing, you will love SUP fishing. Insane site fishing, improved access to hard to reach areas, full on sleigh ride when hooked up! Shop clinic followed by an on the water session, weather permitting.
For more information and reservations, visit: MainBeach.com or call 631.537.2716

Dominating every one of his heats through the event, in the Final, Antoine stepped it up once again to take the win over a selection of the world’s very best: Leco Salazar from Brazil, Colin McPhillips from California and Caio Vaz from Brazil.

Leco Salazar continues to show his strengths on Tour
Finishing in a very worthy 2nd place, Leco Salazar once again demonstrated his position as one of the very best in the sport, with a dynamic display of performance surfing in the challenging conditions at La Torche yesterday. His now trademark 360′s wowed both the crowds and the judges, together with a wealth of performance speed turns.

Finishing in 4th overall in 2011, Leco now moves up to 3rd overall after a 13th at Sunset and now a 2nd place here in France. Once again, Leco will be one to watch out for throughout the 2012 season.

Colin Mcphillips makes it 3 out of 3 on the World Tour
Finishing in a very worthy 3rd place after an impressive display of surfing throughout the event, Colin Mcphillips makes it 3 Finals out of 3 here on the Stand Up World Tour. His first in France, 2010, his second in California in 2011 and now back in France in 2012, Colin has demonstrated his incredible ability and is looking to follow the Tour moving forward with a view to entering the rankings race.

Like Antoine and Leco, Colin is a beachbreak master and excels in events such as this, California and Brazil, and is a proven competitor not only with his results here, but also his 3 World Titles in longboarding.

Caio Vaz is on top of the World after the La Torche Pro
Caio Vaz had another great event here in France, reaching the Final and finishing in 4th place after what has been a great event for the young Brazilian.

After an incredible first event in 2011, where he qualified through the Trials to the Main event at the Hawaii Island Finals and finished 5th, Caio went on to finish 7th at Sunset to kick off his 2012 season. With his 4th place here in France, this means that Caio is now very much on the top of the world in every respect – along with Kai Lenny, he takes the rankings leads after the first 2 events of 2012 (Kai and Caio are now 1st equal).

Not only is Caio someone to look out for in 2012, but he is clearly a true contender for the World Title and expands the wealth of Brazilian talent on Tour.

Sean Poynter continues to assert his presence at the top
After a great finish to the year in 2011 on the Big Island and then a phenomenal performance at Sunset this year, Sean Poynter’s great form continues here in France, and despite narrowly missing out on a semi-finals berth, he finishes in a very worthy 9th place and was noted for some of the most impressive surfing of the contest.

After this result, Sean moves into 3rd place overall in the 2012 rankings, so continues to be a real threat, as the Title is still very much anyone’s at this stage and the Top 7 are all within striking distance of each other.

2 x World Champion Kai Lenny bows out early
Despite a strong start and some incredible riding, Kai Lenny bows out earlier than expected here in La Torche, not finding the waves he needed to make it through to the final 4. This is one of only two events that he has not made it to the Finals in Stand Up World Tour history: an incredible statistic for the young Champion.

By way of a small consolation, Kai was awarded the Air Tahiti Nui ‘Best Move award’ for a turn completed in Round 4 that set the bar for performance riding at the event. One thing we know about Kai, is that this hiccup early in the season will only make him hungrier for the win, as he is now tied in 1st place overall in the 2012 rankings with the young Caio Vaz (Art in Surf) from Brazil.

Hawaiians stand strong despite no presence in the Finals
Despite it being the first Final in Stand Up World Tour history that has not included a Hawaiian, their presence was felt throughout, with Robin Johnston being the highest placed representative from the Islands, narrowly missing out on his place in the Finals and finishing in a worthy 5th place. Robin now lies in 7th overall so far in 2012.

Also on an unprecedented run, 14 year old Mo Freitas made it all the way to the semi finals, to finish in an incredible 7th place, establishing his presence on Tour and his potential moving forward – we will be seeing much more of this young talent from Haleiwa.

Arsene Harehoe & Tama Audibert lead the Tahitian charge
Despite the temperature change and the small waves, Tama Audibert (Starboard) and the legend Arsene Harehoe (Rogue) lead the Tahitian charge here in France, with Tama getting all the way to the quarterfinals, and Arsene all the way to the Semis, finishing in an incredible 5th place.

At 53 years old, Arsene redefines what is possible in surfing and succeeds in keeping up with the grommets in conditions that they excel in, far from the power and warmth he is used to. Put simply, he still very much has it!

Women’s event is run in the sunshine at La Torche
The women put on a show here in La Torche in a showcase of global talent, with competitors from as far away as Brazil to as close as right here in Brittany. Previous Women’s World Champion windsurfer, Iballa Moreno (Starboard) was amongst them, representing the Canary Islands.

In the end, it was to be Caroline Angibaud who finished at the head of the field, followed by Iballa Moreno and Nicole Boronat (Naish), also of windsurfing origins. In all a great event and a worthy winner.

Ian Vaz clinches the Na Kama Kai Youth Challenge Title
Amidst an incredible field of U16 talent, it ended up being Brazilian Ian Vaz who clinched the Na Kama Kai Youth Challenge Title here in France to complete an incredible showing here in France for the Vaz family.

The sheer level displayed by these U16 athletes combined with the fact that 4 qualified and advanced through rounds in the Main event, with Mo Freitas (Imagine) from Hawaii finishing in an incredible 7th place at just 14 years old, demonstrates that the youth are not only our future, but our present too!

In second place, local Benoit Carpentier has been another athlete on fire on the Stand Up World Tour, having won the Sunset Beach Na Kama Kai and finished 9th place in the Main event. In 3rd, 12 year old Leo-Paul Etienne only strengthened this message, with some incredible riding in the small surf on offer today at La Torche, with local Arthur Arutkin (Starboard) rounding up the final 4.

Naish Team well represented at the 2012 La Torche Pro
Kai Lenny, Benoit Carpentier and Xabi Lafitte gather for a Team photo following their shared heat in Round 2 of the Main event at the La Torche Pro, with Naish and Hoalen.

Main Event Recap

Highlights from La Torche Pro Trials

For more info and news about the SUPWT, visit: StandupWorldTour.com