Battle at Lake Summerside Stand Up Paddle Race.

Saturday, June 15 saw the first ever Battle at Lake Summerside SUP Race.
The day started . . . well . . . it started really windy – and got worse!
With a sustained wind speed of 30 kph and gusts reaching over 50 – there were whitecaps forming on the tiny lake.
Due to the crazy wind – the course was altered to a out and back format.  A brutal leg straight into the wind – and then a fun downwind run back to the start area.
The Open racers had a water start and then completed two laps before a water finish.
The Elite racers started in the water as well (to prevent flying boards from a beach start) – and completed a total of three laps – with a beach run in between each lap.
A total of 38 paddlers braved the winds and had a great time.

Thanks to Lake Summerside for allowing us to have a fun race, and Thanks to Kristian from Starboard for making the trek out to the event (and beating us all).

Results are at the bottom of the post.

Note – if you now have been bitten by the SUP Race bug – our next Fun race is Tuesday, June 18 at Hermitage Park Lake at 6:30 PM)

Finally – the 6th Annual Easy Rider SUP Cup is on August 24 & 25, 2013 – it features a River Race as well as a shorter distance Touring Class – and the only indoor SUP surf contest in the world.

Boards lined up - note the cement block and "sand dams" trying to prevent light weight carbon race boards from taking flight.
Boards lined up – note the cement block and “sand dams” trying to prevent light weight carbon race boards from taking flight.
Starting line up of Open Class racers.
Starting line up of Open Class racers.
Open Class making their way into 50 kph gusts.
Open Class making their way into 50 kph gusts.
Open Class overall winner Dave heading for the buoy after lap one.
Open Class overall winner Dave heading for the buoy after lap one.
Elite Class starting line up.
Elite Class starting line up.
Elite Class paddlers fight to get up wind.
Elite Class paddlers fight to get up wind.
The down wind part was fun - although my face doesn't show it.
The down wind part was fun – although my face doesn’t show it.
Margo heading back out after the beach run.
Margo heading back out after the beach run.
Trey finishing the Elite race - coming 1st in Inflatable class.
Trey finishing the Elite race – coming 1st in Inflatable class.

 

Happy Paddlers (now that the race is over).
Happy Paddlers (now that the race is over).
Results - overall and by class.
Results – overall and by class.