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 Stand Up Paddling (SUP) 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 www.worldpaddleassociation.com and www.hennesseysracing.com.

Redondo Beach, CA, April 23, 2012:
For over 17 years Hennessey’s  has been at the fore front of world paddleboard racing, bringing races to such places as Australia, Hawaii, Fiji, California, and Mexico. The 2012 Hennessey’s Series promises to one of the best yet, culminating with the 2012 Hennessy’s-WPA World Championships in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

2012 Event Schedule
·         May 25th , 2012 – Hennessey’s Pier to Pier (4 Miles) – Hermosa Beach, CA
·         June 2nd, 2012 – Hobie / Hennessey’s  United States WPA – SUP & Paddleboard Championships  – Doheny State Beach, CA
·         July 7th , 2012 – The South Bay Dozen – Redondo Beach, CA
·         November, 3 & 4th , 2012 – Hennessy’s-WPA World Championships – Palmilla Beach, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

“The Hennessey Race Series isn’t just a bunch of races to us; we truly love what we do.  A side from the competition, each Hennessey event brings its own atmosphere that only a Hennessey event can, just ask around. We have been doing this for 17 years and we think that this year’s series may be one of the best yet.” according to Hennesseys’s Race Director Tim Ritter.

The 2012 Hennessey’s  SUP and Paddleboard Race Series is presented by Hennessey’s Taverns,  Hobie, Bacardi,  Del Mar Development, Snell Real Estate,  Ocean Minded, Stand Up Paddle Magazine, Waterman’s Applied Science, SUP Mexico, The Mexican Tourism Board, Bliss Events, H20 Audio, 02H Sarcoma Alliance, Bark, Futures Fins and Crislu Jewelers   and the World Paddle Association.  Athletes and spectators can visit sponsors on race day to check out the newest products and accessories the paddleboard industry has to offer.

Paddlers can qualify for the 2012 World Championship by participating in 2012 World Paddle Association sanctioned events by earning a spot into your respective regional championship, 12 National races, Hennessey’s-WPA U.S. Championships, 11 City Tour and top placing’s from the 2011 World and U.S. championships.  You can find all the qualifying criteria on www.worldpaddleassociation.com along with more details on travel packages, board transportation and more on www.hennesseyspaddleboarding.com and www.worldpaddleassociation.com.

Calm before the storm

April, 14, 2012

After a blustery evening the stand up paddle (SUP) races today ran under cool temperatures and sunshine. The winds did pick up again by race time and gave both the Open and Elite SUP competitors a great test. Congratulations to all that attended another fine NAC/Hovie event.

WPA

Event Results:

Open Race Results

Elite Race Results

Photos by the WPA

The World Paddle Association will be conducting a stand up paddling Instructor Certification Course at the Islander Inn and Surf Unlimited Surf Shop in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina on April 21, 2012. Ocean Isle Beach, NC is conveniently located in between Myrtle Beach, SC and Wilmington, NC approximately 42 miles from each city and easy access to airports. You will find one of the nicest small town stretches of beach at Ocean Isle Beach in the state with great hospitality.

The cost is $295.00 for a Level 1 Certification course. Space is limited so please make your reservation and include in the subject field “Ocean Isle Beach Class” via e-mail to info@worldpaddleassociation.com. All attendee’s MUST have submitted an application at www.worldpaddleassociation.com under the instruction button prior to making your reservation.

Your reservation will be pending until your application is approved. You will receive an e-mail notification regarding your application followed by a Pay Pal invoice via e-mail to submit your deposit once your application has been approved. Reservations will be a first come first serve basis with priority given to the first applications received and approved. Each applicant will have 5 days to submit their deposit to secure a spot for the class.
The Islander Inn, www.islanderinn.com will provide special rates for those who want to stay over in Ocean Isle Beach before or after the class. You will need to mention the “WPA” to receive a discount. Please call the Islander Inn for reservations 888.325.4753.

Send your questions and inquires to include “Ocean Isle Beach Class” in the subject line to: info@worldpaddleassociation.com

REGISTRATION IS OPEN

HONOLULU – April 2, 2012 – Jamie Mitchell’s diverse racing background includes Australian Surf Lifesaving races, ocean Iron Man duels, a decade of victorious Molokai Channel crossings, and a string of stand-up paddle titles. Now he brings the best elements of each to the upcoming SURVIVOR SUP race – the pinnacle event of the Quiksilver Waterman Collection Waikiki Paddle Festival, May 5 & 6 at Duke Kahanamoku Beach, Fort DeRussy, Oahu.

SURVIVOR SUP will attract the world’s top stand-up paddle competitors who will compete for the $5,000 first prize as part of a total $25,000 on offer for various races throughout the weekend. In addition to the Survivor Race, there will be a downwind distance course and sprint courses for paddleboard (SUP and traditional) and outrigger canoes (1- 2- and 6-man), with prize money up for grabs for all.

Above: Jamie Mitchell on the water hatching his plan for SURVIVOR SUP.

“It’s time to change up the formula and I wanted to come up with something that was a mix of all of the best elements of the many racing formats I’ve competed in over the years,” says Mitchell. “Plus I think it’s important to keep the action close to shore and exciting for spectators and competitors alike.

“SUP racing is still so new that we’ve barely touched the tip of the iceberg at this point,” Mitchell continued. “There are so many exciting ways to showcase the sport and keep it challenging for the athletes and I wanted to explore that more with the Survivor race.

“I think it’s going to attract all the usual suspects – Danny Ching, Travis Grant, Connor Baxter, Slater Trout… but I also wanted to design something that brought guys like Aaron Napoleon back into the fray. SURVIVOR isn’t going to be just about endurance, but also about skill and fitness, so in that sense, I expect it to be a great indicator of all-around talent.”

SURVIVOR SUP will be a series of elimination races done in the Le Mans style, where competitors must lineup, run and grab their board and paddle, then take to the water. The course design is based upon time, not distance, and will take paddlers through the surf as well as close to shore. The early rounds will be of approximately 30 minutes duration, and the final five rounds will be back-to-back elimination rounds of approximately 15 minutes each. Each round ends with a short sand sprint to a finish line where competitors either qualify or are eliminated based on first over the line. There will be brief rest periods between rounds before qualifiers line up and take to the water again.

SURVIVOR SUP is a sanctioned WPA World Championship Qualifier for the 2012 Hennessey’s WPA World Paddle Championship in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, later this year. The top 20% of the competitors in both the men’s and women’s Survivor Race will receive invitations to compete at the World Championship.

In addition to the SURVIVOR SUP, there are a variety of other paddle divisions and distances, catering to the weekend warrior and also traditional paddleboarders, 1-, 2-, and 6-man canoes.

PLUS:
Live music and entertainment.
11am-7pm beer garden.
Welcome party for competitors.
Cool competitor goody bags.

Register to enter and find more information online at: www.quiksilver.com/watermanEvents
Entry fees start at $75, ($50 for military). Package rates for those entering more than one division.

RACE CONTACT: Peter Mel, Quiksilver
MEDIA CONTACT: Jodi Wilmott

The World Paddle Association will be conducting a SUP Instructor Certification Course at the New York Sports Club in Morganville, New Jersey April 24 (Session I) and April 25 (Session II). The cost is $295.00 for a Level 1 Certification. Space is limited each day so please make your reservation via e-mail to info@worldpaddleassociation.com.

You will need to attend one six hour session for your certification. All attendee’s MUST have submitted an application at www.worldpaddleassociation.com under the instruction button prior to the making your reservation. Your reservation will be pending until your application is approved. You will receive a Pay Pal invoice via e-mail to submit your payment once your application has been approved. Reservations will be first come first serve basis and with priority given to the first applications received and approved. Each applicant will have 5 days to submit their payment for the class.

The New York Sports Club in Morganville, New Jersey is located just off US Hwy 9 in central New Jersey. You will be very comfortable during the certification class as we will be using their meeting room during the class portion and the pool facility during the on water portion of the class each day.

Here are the class times each day and location:
Session I: April 24, 10am to 4pm
Session II: April 25, 8am to 2pm
New York Sports Club
34 US-9 Morganville, NJ 07751

Please do not contact the New York Sports Club regarding information with the WPA class. We look forward to serving your needs for a great experience with the sport of stand up paddling.

Send your questions and inquires to include “New Jersey WPA Class” in the subject line to:
info@worldpaddleassociation.com.

Paddle Sport Performance will be holding a WPA Instructor Certification Course during WEEK 2 and during WEEK 3 MINI CAMP. Cost is $200 for Level 1 Certification. Space is limited so please email for reservation and full details.

Enjoy a week long structured training program in beautiful Sebastian Inlet, Florida for as low as $375 with an early bird bookings discount. Accommodations in the area can be found on various travel sites for as low as $300/week as it is end of season. See the list below for some possible rental sites. Camp runs Sunday afternoon (meeting) to Sunday morning (optional paddle)

Week 1: April 8th to April 15th

Week 2: April 15th to April 22nd

Week 3: 4 day

Mini Camp $375

Questions about the camp?

Please feel free to contact us.

EMAIL US. 1-855-SUP-NTOR 1-855-787-6867
http://www.paddlesportperformance.com/Stand_Up_Paddle_Spring_Camp.html

Saturday February 11, 2012 8:00am-11:00am

Clinic will be run in conjunction with the Hal Rossoff race in Newport

Newport Aquatic Center (NAC)

1 White Cliffs Dr

Newport Beach CA 92660

Click here for more information

2012 OrangeBowl WPA Results REC_Region 5 Points

Click image to view the special WPA member offer