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Molokai2Oahu.com

HONOLULU (July 25, 2010) – Australian Jamie Mitchell, 33, claimed an unprecedented ninth Molokai-2-Oahu World Paddleboard title in Hawaii today, completing the 32-mile distance just four minutes outside of his own record in a time of 4 hours, 52 minutes and 45 seconds. His record of 4:48:23, set in 2007, stands for another year. Mitchell attributed today’s convincing win to experience in Hawaiian waters that allowed him to overcome an uncooperative ocean of disorganized  swells. And if Mitchell is the ‘King of Paddleboard’, then Hawaii’s Kanesa Duncan-Seraphin, 34, is the ‘Queen’, claiming her 8th Molokai-2-Oahu title in a time of 6:02:45 – less than 10 minutes shy of the record she set in 2004.

Above: Jamie Mitchell. Credit: Bernie Baker.

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Dear Watermans,
I wanted to take a moment to thank you guys for deciding to bring back your “Paddle For Humanity” event  to Doheny State Beach this coming May 1st. Last years event was fantastic, and my first time participating in a paddleboard race. I was very impressed at how well organized everything was for an inaugural event, and by the intense effort your staff poured out to make it all come together. Having the choice between the 2-mile fun paddle or the 6-mile all out race really took the pressure off deciding to participate. I went with the fun paddle and had a blast, and from what I could tell, so did everyone else! We all then recovered on the beach and watched the advanced and pro paddlers in the 6-mile race battle it out at the finish. It was awesome!
But it was the awards ceremony that I enjoyed the most. It was there that I learned that all the proceeds of the event were being  donated to a non-profit organization by the name of Surfaid International to help in their mission of providing aid to the impoverished Mentawai Islands in Indonesia. I knew right then that I wanted to be a part of this fundraising effort in the future. Your return of the “Paddle For Humanity” race this year is giving me that chance.
So I would like to challenge each participant of this years event to go beyond just donating their entry fee and take a shot at fundraising for a great cause. When we paddlers join together for something greater than ourselves, there is no telling what we can accomplish!

Mark Carlisle,  Dana Point

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Words by Eric Abbott:

This past weekend, I was lucky enough to sail on the newly built state of the art Kioloa. The 50 foot sailing boat has been navigating the Hawaiian Island channels since last week. I meet up with the Kioloa in Hanalei Kauai. We spent the day sailing down the breath taking Na Pali Coast. We stopped and anchored at a small beach called “Honopu” We were escorted into the beach by a pod of about 50 spinner dolphins! Along the coast we were able to hookup a  ”Kawa Kawa.” About a 25 pound tuna. A fantastic trip. The Kioloa is currently sailing back to Oahu from Kauai through the Ka’ie’ewaho Channel.

-Eric (more…)

Watermans’ ambassador, Frankie Harrer (Malibu) wrapped up her competitive year taking 1st in the WSA U12, U14 and U16 Westcoast Championships.  Harrer also claimed the conference title for Girls U14 at the NSSA (Gold Coast) and a 3rd at the Western Championships.  Congratulations Frankie!  Job well done.

::FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE::

WATERMANS:  APPLIED SCIENCE PRESENTS, “THE SURFAID PADDLE FOR HUMANITY”

Race Recap

Doheny State Park (Saturday, May 2, 2009)  – Sunshine, great weather, and over 200 participants and spectators were on hand Saturday morning for the first annual SurfAid Paddle for Humanity, despite the Weatherman’s predictions of rain and questionable conditions.  The event proved to be a great experience for everyone involved.  Paddlers raised over $11,000 for SurfAid International to help support their efforts to improve the health, wellbeing and self-reliance of people living in isolated regions connected to us through surfing.

 Although the Weatherman called for rain early Saturday, the weather cooperated and conditions were excellent for the start.  With 130 competitors in the water the race provided some truly exciting moments and a great showcase for the upcoming sport of paddling.  Surftech and Bark Paddleboards were on hand with over 40 demo boards and provided many competitors with their first true race experience.  “Both the SUP and Paddleboard markets are really taking off,” commented Joe Bark, legendary paddleboard shaper and race sponsor.  “We are seeing twice as many orders this year for both SUP and Paddleboards with a lot of cross over.  It is a really exciting time for the sport.”

 More importantly, sponsors and competitors rallied to surpass the events fundraising goal for a grand total of $11,000. “We couldn’t have been more excited with the turnout and everyone’s support,” said Watermans Macon Brock “We are really looking forward to next year.”  SurfAid, the beneficiary of the event was equally inspired by the success of the event. “We were thrilled by the participation to support SurfAid,” said SurfAid Director, Javier Guerrero, “The paddleboard community is amazing and we look forward to future events with the paddleboard industry to raise funds for SurfAid’s programs in Indonesia.”

 The award for most money raised by a single competitor went to Chris Koerner, Orange County resident and long time paddle sports advocate. “I’ve had my share of surf travel over the years and I am happy to join the paddling community in helping SurfAid’s cause,” said C4 Ambassador and top fundraiser Koerner,  “We had a great turnout and fantastic conditions for the paddle and post-race gathering and hope to see more of these types of events.”

For photos from the event and race results please visit http://watermansappliedscience.com/blog/?cat=294

 Please support out sponsors:

Watermans: Applied Science, Surftech, Joe Bark Paddleboards, Honolua Surf Co., Reef, Surfline.com, Ocean & Earth, Future Fins, Sambazon, Hobie Surf Shop, and Primo Island Lager.

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About SurfAid International

 The mission of SurfAid International, a non-profit humanitarian organization, is to improve the health, wellbeing and self-reliance of people living in isolated regions connected to us through surfing.  For more information or to make a donation contact the SurfAid staff at 760.931.1199, visit www.surfaidinternational.org or e-mail usa@surfaidinternational.org

About Watermans:  Applied Science

Watermans:  Applied Science is dedicated to providing today’s Watermen and women with the best, most effective and functional, high-performance sunscreen on the market. Made and Manufactured in California, USA.  For more information visit www.watermansappliedscience.com.

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KEY:  Start times were staggered by class and division so be sure to adjust your finish time accordingly.  UL SUP, WOMENS SUP, AND LEGENDS SUP (- 0 MIN); 14′ SUP (-1 MIN); STOCK SUP  (-2 MIN); UL PB, WOMENS PB, AND LEGENDS PB (-3 MIN); 14′ PB  (- 4 MIN); STOCK PB (-5 MIN); 2-MILE RACES (-6 MIN)

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Click to enlarge images.

For more images from The SurfAid Paddle for Humanity, 2009, e-mail or visit JFennell@JFennellPhoto.com

www.JFennellPhoto.com

More photos available at Chris Bishow Photography

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Photos courtesy of Eric Abbott.  Written by Pete Stirling.

Olympian, Arron Peirsol, loving the Bark Unlimited.

Chula Vista, CA.  March 19,2009. Olympic Training Center – What do you get when you combine Olympic level swimming and some of the fastest paddleboards in the world?  In 2008 former Olympian (Sydney, 2000), Chad Carvin, answered that question and came within minutes of breaking the course record during the 32-mile Catalina Classic paddleboard race.  With the growing popularity of Paddling as a sport many see it as only a matter of time before more top-level swimmers get involved. (more…)

::FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE::

WATERMANS:  APPLIED SCIENCE PRESENTS, “THE SURFAID PADDLE FOR HUMANITY”

A Two and 6-mile Paddleboard and SUP race.

Doheny State Park (May 2, 2009)  – Attention all Surfers, Paddlers, and Watersports Enthusiasts.  May 2^nd, Watermans: Applied Science will host the first annual “SurfAid Paddle for Humanity” at Doheny State Park located in beautiful Dana Point, California. All proceeds from this event will go directly to SurfAid International to help support their efforts in bringing Malaria education and prevention, sustainable clean water projects, and sanitation to parts of the world connected to us through surfing.  Please join us in our effort to raise $10,000 for such a worthy cause. (more…)