2016 Sharkbite Challenge

No Surfskis in Florida, Bah!!!

What New England paddler does not want to go to Florida in April. Over the years, I have vacationed in Florida. One of my best trips ever was to Siesta Keys, love that beach. Another time we visited Busch Gardens where Tyler(my son) and I rode the SheiKra, a 200-foot-tall (61 m) Bolliger & Mabillard floorless dive roller coaster with a 90-degree vertical drop. It was the first roller coaster of its kind in the United States, and is also the tallest roller coaster in Florida. We were terrified, white as a ghost when we got off. Never again. Next year, we have already made plans to rent a place in Fort Myers close to my sister in law who owns a condo there in April so I can vacation and race the 2017 Sharkbite!

All my pics on link below.
https://goo.gl/photos/7VYkAg4jnebXiNG67

The Sharkbite Challenge has become a HUGE event over the years drawing many of us from the North. Through hard work from all stakeholders you can see the HUGE numbers below in every class.

Record Turnout!

341 Participants between the 1, 4 and 8 mile races on Saturday.

140 SUP Entries

99 Surfski Entries

63 OC1/OC2 entries

18 Waterman’s Race Entries

13 Sea Kayak entries

6 Traditional Paddleboard Entries

2 C2 Entries

67 anglers in the paddle fishing tournament on Saturday

147 paddlers in the OC6 Races on Sunday

92 participants in clinics on Friday and Sunday

Those are amazing numbers. For years, all I heard was there was little, to no surfski paddling in Florida. Now the success of the surfski paddling community in Florida has come together and with the promotion of the Sharkbite Challenge for all paddlers demonstrates this. Well Done Indeed!

For me, I was looking forward to racing, supporting Stellar’s new Florida dealer, the Paddle Attic and reconnecting with friends. The races were cancelled on Saturday due to high winds but many of us still got a paddle in on Saturday and talked to the many vendors.

Jeff Stephens of Paddle Attic, New Florida Stellar Dealer

Stellar Kayaks and Surfskis along with Think and Epic represented the Surfski community with demos, lessons and sponsorship of the Sharkbite. On hand for the event were many of the Think Team from across the country including Daryl Remmler, Sean Rice, Emily, Mark Smith, Mark McKenzie, Mike and Brenda Canfield, Jessie, Ulli and others.

Jessie at his workshop

The Epic Team was in full force too and Epic Team Rider, Jasper Mocke, provided workshops for all comers and was on hand for the demos on Sunday. Myself, along with Regional Stellar paddlers Reid Hyle, Eric Costanzo and new dealers Jeff and Maureen Stephens were on hand to support the event as well. So we had an all star line up for this event.

Saturday, many of us were able to get a nice paddle in. I connected with New England paddlers Bruce, Bob,Timmy, Chris to enjoy the warm waters, clear skis without our drysuits, heaven!! Others got on the waters as well.

Wesley,Bruce(the Torch), Bob C, Chris Laughlin

Bob after informal race on Sunday

Top paddlers Sean and Jasper headed out for a long training paddle enjoying the downwind. I connected with Sean briefly to say we would see him in Jamestown, Rhode Island for the Paddle of the Bay Race and workshops hosted by Tim Dwyer. August will be a busy month for New England paddlers.

Connecting with other paddlers is the best part of a large race. I picked up a few tips over the weekend from many different sources. It started with me giving a lesson on Friday to Paul Mehring, a very knowledgable local flat water paddler. Paul knows his stuff but just wanted another set of eyes to look at his stroke and set up.

The entire Think Team, always a friendly group by nature, that I have known from the beginning, provided me with some answers to my curious mind. Mark McKenzie, recommended the Jantex Rio Small paddle for women that I purchased. Often when I am giving lessons, this questions always comes up on blade size for women. So I bought one so women paddlers can try it. Mike Canfield had his Subaru Crosstrek decked out with Cliff’s V Bars that I scoped it out. I often thought the roof span was too short for skis even with the V bars but it was solid. A Crosstrek maybe in the the mix as my next Surfski car.

Pat(Vaikobi), Brenda and Mike Canfield hanging out.

Daryl and I had lunch at the airport on Sunday and he provided me with a training tip and I peppered him with how big the conditions were at Tahiti World Championships that he raced last summer. I watched it live streaming. Good Stuff! Mark Smith let me know my weight was up, and no it was not from weightlifting!

Mark Smith ready for another rematch with me in arm wrestling!

I also enjoy meeting new paddlers like Tony Llera whose boat collection puts mine to shame. Tony likes all kinds of boats, big boats and small boats along with surfskis. On the beach I also met John of Warsaw, IN. John was walking on the beach on Friday as I was retying my rudder lines. I asked him for some help. It turns out John bought the second SEL 2G in the country. Guess who had the 1st! I also got some help from Xavier Comelli who let my borrow a paddle leash(send me your email so I can pay your for it). Also thanks to Paul and Roger for helping out Jeff, Maureen and I at the Stellar Tent. Moving boats around is a lot of work.

Maureen, Reid, Jeff in the Stellar colors!

I also got to meet Chelsea. Seems like Reid is smiling alot more with Chelsea around! Chelsea was paddling in the SUP division. In talking to Reid, he confirmed for me that at 179, I am too heavy for the SES 2G. Reid over the last few years has trimmed down to 165 now. At 165 the SES 2G is perfectly trimmed says Reid. At my current weight, it is nose heavy, particular noticeable in the flat water. So losing weight is key for me to becoming faster. I have got some work to do! Hopefully by Blackburn, I will be down to 170.

Reid after informal Sunday Race. Reid was first though he is quick to point out, Sean, Jasper, Jessie did not race.

Chelsea and Reid. I think Reid maybe smiling more!

Theo Burn after Sunday’s informal race.

Speaking of the Blackburn, I hope to see my friend Chris Laughlin who I saw at the Sharkbite as well. I met Chris many many years ago on the beach at the finish of the Blackburn. He and Sadie are traveling around the USA now. Oh, I almost forgot, I got to meet Mr. Vaikobi himself, the affable Pat Langley on a traveling tour with his family all the way from Sydney, Australia. Pat don’t forget what we discussed! Anita Allen, mega marathon runner and Stellar paddler, it was great to finally meet!!

So looking forward to next year’s Sharkbite already. Don’t let anyone tell you there is no surfski paddling in Florida. If they do, let them know about the Sharkbite and the HUGE numbers of all paddlers.