When the city of San Francisco comes to mind, paddleboard racing usually isn't an immediate association, and discussions about the bay are usually relegated to topics of extreme tides and currents, the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, fog, and great white friends. September 26th 2009 changed all that, when the 2009 Hennessey's International Paddleboard Championships rolled into town, adding it's own contribution to San Francisco's international charm. San Francisco may never forget the morning the town was invaded by cars stacked high with epoxy paddle racing machines, the Aquatic Stadium located adjacent to Fisherman's Wharf was the venue and the ominous fog wrapped Alcatraz was the back drop. Race morning was cool and clear with a moderate breeze and a low slung fog slowly retreating back toward the Golden Gate bridge. Racers were confused on how to tackle these unknown elements, wet suit, no wet suit, sleeves, no sleeves. When it came time to hit the water and head to the start line set up just out side of the Aquatic Stadium, it all became clear, this was going to be a race to remember.
The prone paddleboard racers and unlimited stand Up racers were first to start, heading off on a 10 mile course across the bay toward Angel Island and back. The stock stand up race followed with a 6 mile course that would take the racers toward the Golden Gate and back and then a full lap around the famed Alcatraz Island.
The stock stand up class went out fast and furious with Hobie's Byron Kurt and Starboard's EJ Johnson picking up their battling days right where they left off the weekend before. In the end the days battle went to Byron Kurt by a slim but well deserved 7 seconds, who not only won his 40+ age division, but also the top of class bonus. Hobie stock stand up boards clinched 8 of the top 20 stock SUP finishing spots with notable finishes by TJ & Bryce Saeman, Lance Ericson, Colin McPhillips, Karen Wrenn, Sean Douglas, and guest Hobie rider Dan Sheard from Australia. Hobie's Chuck Patterson clinched 3rd place in the Unlimited Stand Up division in a heated race between so cal paddlers Thomas Shahinian and Tom Gallahger setting what is sure to heat up the competition at next weekends Battle of the Paddle.
Once again Hennessey's didn't just stop at the finish line, every racer winner or not took home a sweet new Hobie duffel bag stuffed with shwag, including a sweet 50% deal on some new Hobie Polarized glasses, commemorative racers long sleeve shirt and racing jersey as well as many more goodies.
Official race results - http://www.hennesseyspaddleboarding.com/events/results/hipc_09.aspx
TJ & Bryce Saeman Blog - http://tsaeman.wordpress.com/
Join Hobie Stand Up Paddleboards on Face Book - http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Hobie-Stand-Up-Paddleboards/44977062854?ref=nf
