Sup into Summer

[Admin]

Sounds like this was a great event.

Connor Baxter sent over a great write up of his race.  Connor finished second on his Starboard 12'6 to Jeff Chang on an F-18.  

Here are the full results and Connor's Story:

http://www.timelinehawaii.com/Results/SUP%20OVERALL%2010.HTM

“SUP Into Summer” is the first event of the annual SUP summer series held in Oahu. The race was at Haliewa Beach Park on the North Shore – and had over 100 competitors.  I was fortunate to be able to participate in this event. It was very well organized event and there were a lot of good prizes.

For this race, I decided to use my Starboard 12'6” Surf Race, which was one of the fastest boards out there. The event was 4 miles in a triangle shape course. We had to do two laps on the first triangle - and there was very little wind. So the people who are very strong and had flat water 18 footers pulled into the front. Which put me in 6th place - Overall. On the second lap the wind started to come up, so the 18 footers were harder to control. This now became an advantage for me on the Starboard 12’6”. I caught up and now I was in 4th place. After we rounded the outside buoy and started to head in, my strategy was to head up into the wind slightly, so then I could ride down with the wind and catch up to 3rd and 2nd place. When we got close to the second to the last buoy, 2nd & 3rd places and me in 4th - were neck and neck. So I had one chance to get ahead – and get into second place. At the last moment, I paddled as hard as I could and I caught a swell, which none of the other guys caught and there I was 30 seconds behind the first place finisher, who was on a 18 footer.

I placed second overall with a time of 38min 56sec – and 1st place in the division. My Starboard teammate - Fuzzy placed 3rd overall and 2nd in the division.

I want to thank the Event Organizers, Volunteers, and Sponsors for putting on a fun and well organized event.

I would also like to thank all my sponsors for their help and support. Starboard SUP, Nike USA, Dakine, Sun-Rite Maui, Waterman's Sunscreen, Smith Sunglasses and Ion Wetsuits.

Aloha,
Connor Baxter

Photo of Fuzzy, Candice and Connor after Award Presentation

[stoneaxe]

Conner is definitely NOT the little kid I remember from 2 short years ago.....what a change.

[Easy Rider]

Well done Connor.
Great write up.
The way a Team rider should be doing it.
(will be printing this out for my tam guys)