Naish Paddleboard Championships – Race Recap by Connor Baxter
I just competed in the Naish Paddleboard Championships in Maui. What a great race. Well organized and really fun. It started at Maliko Gulch and finished at the Kahului Harbor – about 9 1/2 miles.
There were over 200 competitors. So, this year they did staggered starts for all the divisions – inside Maliko Gulch. The prone paddleboaders went first, followed by the Unlimited SUP’s 3 minutes later, then the 14′ SUP division another 3 minutes after and lastly the 12′6″ SUP division – which I was in.
I got a great start and paddled quickly to get out in front. After I rounded the outside point, I was just a little behind the 14′ pack that left 3 minutes in front of me. So all I was trying to do was catch up to them and pass them. The winds were light in the beginning and then it picked up around Paia. That is about where I started to really catch up to the 14′ group.
I was on the new Starboard 12′6, which worked unreal in these conditions. The board was super fast and stable. I got some very long glides. I continued to catch up passing most of the 14′ division as well as the Unlimited.
When I got towards the end the wind started to die a little and there was a lot of back wash coming off the jetty, which made it hard to balance. When I rounded the point and was coming in the harbor to the beach it was really hard, because the wind was off shore. But when I got to the beach I was super stoke on my results.
I ended up First Overall in the 12′6″ Division. And, Overall I was 12th – out of the 208 competitors. I was 10th Overall in the Stand Up Division.
I want to thank Mark Raaphorst, Livio Menelau, Scott Trudon, Bart de Zwart for all the time and support they have devoted to training with me!!!!!!!!! Also, Scott Sanchez (MPG) for his wisdom on fitness and training!!
And, a big thank you to all my sponsors for their help and support – Starboard, Nike 6.0, SIC, Dakine, Sunrite Maui, Hi-Tech Sports, Waterman’s Sunscreen, and Ion Wetsuits.
Aloha -
Connor Baxter
Photos: Karen Baxter!!
John Gangini – Skippers Meeting
Mark Raaphorst – Owner SIC
SIC Team
Connor & Campbell Farrell
Connor & Michi Schweiger
Connor & Kolaiah
Riggs Napoleon (Samantha Williams in background)
Connor Waiting for the 12′6″ Division Start
Connor (on his 12′6″ Starboard) & Kolaiah (on his 14′ Starboard)
Start of the Unlimited Class
Start of the 14′ Division
Start of the 12′6″ Division
Waiting
Connor doing his “Stretch”
Coming to the Finish – Connor FIRST OVERALL in the 12′6″ Division
Coming to the Finish: David Kalama – Livio Menelau
Livio Menelau
Scott Trudon
Riggs
Connor & Riggs Napoleon
Connor & Kolaiah
Kolaiah & Jimmy Fitt
Winners Men’s Unlimited
Winners Women’s Unlimited
Winners Men’s 14′ Division
Winners Men’s 12′6″ Division
Winners Women’s 12′6″ Division
Mark Raaphorst
Scott Trudon
Beer Tent !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oceans Vodka Tent !!!!!!!!!!!
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