What happened to our weather? I've been watching till the last minute to notify for the Friday @ 4:30 paddle and it's a green light for the hardy. I paddled yesterday with winds an snow flurries! I don't expect any newcomers on a day like today but Tom Burke will host tonight to welcome and explain the routine and route. Chip Booth will be there, we rarely saw him last summer 'cause he was busy making surf films and building his own SUP boards, you'll recognize him by his colorful board and "Lava Bear" stature.
The other news is races, races, races! June 12th is the final of a three race series "Race Around Ross Island" in Portland. Registration at 9:00 Race at 10:00 costs $30 includes t-shirt. Check out www.gorge performance.com for details. There will be eight races on the "Old Mill Stretch" every Weds eve July and Aug. The Odell Lake Pioneer Cup July 31st. The Oregon Open Ocean Paddleboard/SUP race, (Beverly Beach to Newport downwind) August 28th. And our "King and Queen of the Lake" series at Elk Lake - July 11th, August 15th and September 26th, free and open to everyone including all boards. Surfboard/Sport class and Raceboard class.
I've had many inquiries about the Paddle Fitness outings Tues-Thurs AM @ 7:30. Watch for the green light depending on consistent, warm AM weather. Count on this for training for all these great races.
www.StandupPaddleFlatwater will soon have the Hobie 12'6" Race boards which are proven to be one of the winning-est SUP boards on the water! Also the Surftech Bark 14' wow! Other secret stealth boards are in testing. Attached is a photo of John and I yesterday testing fast boards for the up-coming races.
Aloha,
Randall Barna
www.StandupPaddleFlatwater.com

