Salt Life Cup “Champion Paddlers of the Year” Crowned!

DANA POINT, CA — Salt Life Apparel, in association with the World Paddle Association and the Pacific Paddle Games crowned the Salt Life Cup Champion Paddlers of the Year at the Pacific Paddle Games on October 6 & 7, 2018 at Doheny State Beach, CA.  The WPA National Races and the Salt Life Cup honor the top placing Open and Junior competitors and provide entry fees into the Pacific Paddle Games technical races from the 2018 Salt Life Cup WPA National race series.

2018 Salt Life Cup Champion Paddlers of the Year crowned, Tyler Bashor (Dana Point, CA) and Jade Howson (Laguna Beach, CA) in Junior Pro and Thomas Nilsen (Laguna Niguel, CA) and Mel Wygal (Dana Point, CA) in the Open technical finals at the Pacific Paddle Games.  The Champion paddlers of the year contended in challenging conditions that included wind and 4-6 foot waves at Doheny State Beach with arguably, the best Open and Junior paddlers in the country and international competitors .

The top three paddlers in each division were awarded a crystal trophy, Salt Life product and a limited-edition Salt Life Champion Paddler of the Year-Be a Champion t-shirt.  Additionally, all of the top placing Junior Grom competitors were given limited-edition t-shirts along with Salt Life product and PPG medals.

The Open and Junior competitors have always been the most important participants in the sport and now these competitors have a place to showcase their talent with honoring them as “Champion Paddler of the Year” with the support of Salt Life apparel, Pacific Paddle Games, World Paddle Association and PaddleGuru.  All Salt Life Cup events are sanctioned by the WPA to provide the best growth for the future of the sport.  Look for the 2019 Salt Life Cup WPA National race schedule to be announced in the coming weeks.

2018 Salt Life Cup “Champion Paddlers of the Year”

       Tyler Bashor                Jade Howson             Thomas Nilsen                Mel Wygal

                  

Salt Life Cup “Champion Paddlers of the Year” top three finishers.

Junior Pro Boys				Open Men
Place	Athlete	Time		Place	Athlete	Time
1	Tyler Bashor	20:39.8		1	Thomas Nilsen	10:27.3
2	Keoni Sulpice	20:41.2		2	Tuhiti Tirao	10:31.2
3	Guilherme Cunha	20:42.2		3	Vincent Goyat	10:34.3
Junior Pro Girls				Open Women
1	Jade Howson	25:05.2		1	Mel Wygal	13:25.4
2	Delila Quinn	25:59.5		2	Hina Yiou-Halligan	14:05.3
3	Lexi Alston	26:00.5		3	Jennie Sandvig	14:15.1

Full results from the 2018 Pacific Paddle Games, visit www.supthemag.com/ppg/2018-results/

WPA partner PaddleGuru who manages the race solution for WPA sanctioned events will also be managing the points by region throughout the year.  Look for additional WPA and Salt Life Cup event information at www.worldpaddleassociation.com, www.saltlife.com, www.supthemag.com and www.paddleguru.com.

 

About the World Paddle Association

Since 2009, the WPA has provided an organizational structure to paddle sports for the best growth of sport that includes sanctioning for events, points for rankings, insurance, rules and guidelines, education, certified instructors for a comprehensive voice, fair and equal access in a manner that benefits the collective paddling community. For more information, visit www.worldpaddleassociation.com

About Salt Life:

Salt Life is an authentic, aspirational and lifestyle brand that embraces those who love the ocean and everything associated with living the “Salt Life”. Founded in 2003 by four avid watermen from Jacksonville Beach, Florida, the Salt Life brand has widespread appeal with ocean enthusiasts worldwide. From fishing, diving and surfing, to beach fun and sun-soaked relaxation, the Salt Life brand says, “I live the Salt Life”.  Salt Life, LLC is operated as an operating subsidiary of Delta Apparel, Inc., where it has been managed since 2011. The flagship Salt Life retail store, which opened in Jacksonville Beach, Florida in 2012, serves as a vision for retail customers to see product placements they can utilize in their stores and across multiple platforms.  Numerous professional athletes and sportsmen have an alliance with the brand in cross-marketing partnerships. (http://www.saltlife.com/athletes/)

About SUP Magazine:
SUP magazine is part of The Enthusiast Network (TEN) and is the leading multi-media publication in the standup paddling world. With a progressive and approachable style, SUP strives to get readers out on the water, no matter what type of paddler they are. By blending engaging print and destination features, gear coverage and in-depth instructional pieces with in-house video and event coverage on SUPthemag.com, as well as executing the biggest events in the sport, SUP magazine gives readers the most comprehensive view of the sport in the industry, all while getting them out paddling. For more information, please visit SUPthemag.com.

About TEN: The Enthusiast Network

TEN: The Enthusiast Network is the world’s premier network of enthusiast brands, such as SURFER, TRANSWORLD SKATEBOARDING, GRINDTV, SOUND & VISION, and SHUTTERBUG. With the world’s largest action/adventure sports media platform, 38 publications, 30 annual events, and more than 20 iconic brands representing the best of action/outdoor and home technology, TEN inspires enthusiasts to pursue their passions. For more information, visit enthusiastnetwork.com.