Molokai...Day 1

True to form, we showed up at the airport and found the tiniest plane EVER waiting for us.  Our boarding passes looked like Costco reciepts, and I thought that Kevin Seid from Everpaddle was going to have a heart attack as he wedged himself into the plane.  Despite the somewhat um, interesting take-off, the flight was pretty smooth, and the view was awesome.

Now, we are just waiting for Jeff Chang to arrive and then all of team Wet Feet/Everpaddle will be here.  Check back with us for updates on Jeff, Morgan and Kevin...Most people don't travel with a film crew, but we do, so there should be lots of footage coming soon.

It's Getting Down to the Wire...

So, we are 10 days out from the Rainbow Sandals Molokai to Oahu paddleboard race, and it seems like everyone who comes into the shop has racing on the brain.   After months of training, the race is finally almost here, and this year should be a fun one to watch.  If the Battle of the Paddle was any indication of how Rainbow Sandals runs all their races, Molokai should be an awesome event to participate in.  In addition, the prize money has brought in some huge names in the Standup World, and the race on the men's solo standup side will be a really solid field.

For us, the training is finally tapering down, and the days of 20 mile training runs are behind us (for now, anyway). I know that all of us here at Wet Feet are excited to get to Molokai and see what this years race has to offer.  

New Bark Soft Goods In!

Wet Feet is now fully stocked with the 2009 Bark Clothing Line. Come in and check it out!

Molokai Training Days

The Wet Feet crew has been doing loooong training runs for the past few months ranging from 20 to 27 miles. Pictured are the core crew of Aaron, Rob, Morgan and Jeff. Herbie has been joining in as well as others on occasion. After awhile it becomes meditative and quite enjoyable as you study the subtleties of the ocean swells and get better and reading them for longer rides. On the various days we encountered all kinds of conditions from flat and windless to super rough (around Makapuu) which humbled us to our knees. We need to thank Aaron for being a sport and waiting for us!

Independence Day Race

It was a picture perfect day for the 4th of July Independence Day Race put on by Hui O He`e Nalu with Wet Feet being one of the sponsors. The race was a 4 mile sprint from Sunset Beach to Waimea Bay and is traditionally the biggest paddle event on Oahu every year. This year was no exception with 385 entrants of which over 200 were standups! Wet Feet made a good showing with 2nd place finishes in the mens and womens races by Jeff and Morgan on Bark Unlimited SUPs. Enjoy the photos.

Complete race results can be found here:

http://www.pacificsportevents.com/Races/Hui%20Paddleboard/2009/Divisions_Standup_09.htm

Morgan Takes 3rd Overall in the Catalina Rock to Rock Race

On June 21st teamrider Morgan Hoesterey took third place overall in the SUP class of the 22 mile race from Catalina Island to Palos Verdes California. She raced on a 14' Bark in rough and windy conditions uncharacteristic of that channel. Check the video and congrats Morgan!

Bark Takes 1 and 2 in the First Two Summer Paddle Races

Bark 18' standup racers took first and second place at both the Cline Mann Memorial Race on June 16th and the Summer Solstice Race on June 22nd. The Cline Mann was an 8 mile downwind race from Hawaii Kai to the Outrigger Canoe Club near Kaimana Beach. The course was very challenging with a big south swell running causing lots of water movement on the course and making it tricky to find rides. Coming in the finish line racers had to negotiate double overhead close out sets and there were a few yard sales. Guy Pere won the race in a time of 1:19:16 and Scott Gamble took a close second 1:03 behind Guy. The Summer Solstice was an even closer race comprised of a 3.5 mile sprint in windy downwind conditions and small bumps from Kukaimanini (Dead Man’s Curve next to Kawela Bay) to Ehukai Beach Park. Jeff Chang won in a time of 29:45 with Pete Johnson only 1.3 seconds back. The next race is Da Hui's July 4th Independence Day Race, 3.5 miles from Sunset Beach to Waimea Bay. Wet Feet is a sponsor and entry forms can be found here:

http://www.hawaiipaddleboardassociation.com/2009-forms/independence09_entry.PDF

Complete race results for the Cline Mann and Summer Soltice can be found here:

http://www.pacificsportevents.com/Races/Cline%20Mann/2009/Divisions_Short_09.htm

http://www.timelinehawaii.com/Results/SOLSTICE%20AGR%20GRP%2009.HTM#%201