by Chris Couve | May 13, 2015 | Prone, Sayulita World Champs, Stand Up Paddle, SUP Racing
SUP and Paddleboard Women Earn First Gold Medals, Claim Valuable Points for 2015 ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship Presented by Hotel Kupuri
The Women’s SUP and Paddleboard Distance Race kicked off the first day of racing competition at the 2015 ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship Presented by Hotel Kupuri in Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico. Photo: ISA/Reed
Following four laps around the 20KM course along the coastline of Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico, the first medals and points were awarded at the 2015 ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship Presented by Hotel Kupuri.
Team U.S.A.’s Candice Appleby captured her first International Surfing Association (ISA) Gold Medal. Appleby also earned valuable points for the overall team ranking with the win in the Women’s StandUp Paddle (SUP) Long Distance Race. Appleby’s time was 1:52:54 to finish.
USA’s Candice Appleby (left) finished with the Gold Medal ahead of Canada’s Lina Augaitis (right), who earned the Silver Medal. Photo: ISA/Bielmann
“I always try to do my best and win, but it feels really good to be doing it for more than just myself. I got my team, my country, God, my family,” said the elated Appleby. “It feels very good to have my team screaming on the beach rooting for me.”
Team U.S.A.’s Candice Appleby captured her first ISA Gold Medal. Appleby also earned valuable points for the overall team ranking with the win in the Women’s StandUp Paddle (SUP) Long Distance Race. Photo: ISA/Reed
On the Paddleboard side, Australian Jordan Mercer earned her fourth consecutive Gold Medal but not without a dramatic finish.
Coming into the final two buoys of the course, Mercer was head-to-head with Anna Notten from Team South Africa. However, Notten, caught up in the moment, paddled straight toward beach forgetting to complete the final two buoy turns giving Mercer the 4-peat. Mercer’s final time was 2:07:37, and Notten finished at 2:08:29.
Jordan Mercer, the most decorated athlete in ISA history, added another medal to her collection with the Gold in the Women’s Distance Paddleboard Race. Photo: ISA/Reed
“I know now having crossed the line first and getting that fourth Gold at the ISA marathon race, the pain is all worth it,” said Mercer, the most decorated ISA athlete ever. “You are getting pushed to your absolute limits. Each year the girls are getting stronger and the countries are so passionate about being here, leading their nations. I am honored to be a part of it.”
Mercer resumed, “Out there racing, every stroke counts. Anything can happen while you are out there… I want to give huge thanks to Team Australia for having my back and helping me prepare and get ready for this race.”
The anticipated rivalry between Team Australia and Team U.S.A. has begun. Carter Graves (U.S.A.) and Terrene Black (AUS) each finished third in their respective race. The day ended with Teams Australia and U.S.A. tied in points at 14,030.
Furthermore, the story of Hawaii as powerful contenders in the ISA World Championship was initiated. Leane Darling finished with a time of 2:10:00, earning her the first Hawaiian ISA medal in this competition for her team, a Copper.
“Amazing! Today we saw the best SUP and Paddleboard women in the world take to the water,” said ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “The result, the greatest level of competition this community has ever seen.”
“Today was not only about the competition in the water,” Aguerre continued. “The energy on the beach was that of a true World Championship. Each National Team waved their flags and cheered in support of their fellow athletes and their competitors. This sport is about more than just the contest, it is about the friendship and camaraderie.”
This sentiment was seen as the final competitor, Argentina’s Florencia Baraboglia, reached the beach, more than 30 minutes later than the competitor before her, to a man-made tunnel composed of international hands, flags and cheers of praise. This completely exemplified what the ISA is truly about: unifying Nations through the sport of Surfing, SUP, and Paddleboard Racing.
In true ISA spirit, a man-made tunnel composed of international hands, flags and cheers of praise, welcomed Argentina’s Florencia Baraboglia, who was the last competitor to cross the finish line. Photo: ISA/Reed
Tomorrow the competition continues with the Men’s SUP and Paddleboard Long Distance Races. Returning to defend the Gold Medal is France’s Titouan Puyo in SUP facing the likes U.S.A.’s highly touted Danny Ching, Hawaii’s Conner Baxter, Tahiti’s Georges Cronsteadt and Australia’s Beau O’Brian.
In Paddleboard, look for Australia’s defending Gold Medalist Rhys Burrows fending off the likes of U.S.A.’s Jack Bark as well as the 2014 Silver Medalist Sam Shergold from New Zealand.
Tune in to the live webcast for the third day of the 2015 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship Presented by Hotel Kupuri with the Morning Show hosted by Beau Hodge, featuring the lively brothers from Team Barbados Brian and Kevin Talma:
Wednesday, 8:40am Mexico City, Mexico
Wednesday, 6:40am Los Angeles, U.S.A.
Wednesday, 3:40pm Paris, France
Wednesday, 11:40pm Sydney, Australia
Watch the live webcast here – www.ISAWSUPPC.com
The Women’s Distance Paddleboard Race was close until the end, as shown by this close pack comprised of Australia’s Jordan Mercer (left), South Africa’s Anna Notten (center) and USA’s Carter Graves (right). Photo: ISA/Bielmann
by Chris Couve | May 12, 2015 | Sayulita World Champs, Stand Up Paddle, SUP Surfing
The Best Men, Women SUP Surfers from Around the World Showcase Serious Style in Sayulita
Tarryn King (Kyte) dominated her heats performing radical maneuvers, giving Team South Africa a strong start. Photo: ISA/Ben Reed
StandUp Paddle (SUP) Surfing kicked off the week of competition at the 2015 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship Presented by Hotel Kupuri on Monday, May 11 in Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico.
The best men and women SUP surfers from around the world took to the warm waters of Sayulita. Athletes showcased supreme style to both the spectators in the sand and the world via live webcast.
Brian Talma, one of two brothers making up Team Barbados, represented his country proudly as a SUP surfer. Talma will surf again in the Repechaje Round on Thursday with the support of his Caribbean Island Nation. Photo: ISA/Ben Reed
The surf ranged from 2-3 feet throughout the day with occasionally larger sets rolling in. These waves allowed the world’s best to perform vertical snaps, wraps and airs to keep the crowd on their toes.
“The first round of guys and girls SUP Surfing has been amazing! The conditions were great. It’s been a perfect day for warming up,” stated ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “We know there is a big swell coming later in the week. It’s going to be huge.”
Aguerre continued, “Yesterday we had one of the best Opening Ceremonies in history, with Jalisco and Huicholes dancers. All the teams together, with the friendships and the flags, all of those things make this is a real world championship. As in all ISA World Championships, the world comes to one place. We get together for ten days, and we go home with new friends, having experienced epic times.”
Day 1 of the event featured the opening Main Event Rounds 1 and 2 of the Men’s and Women’s SUP Surfing. The standouts of the day were U.S.A.’s Sean Poynter on the Men’s side and Brazil’s Nicole Pacelli on the Women’s.
Poynter, the 2013 Gold Medalist, put on a powerful performance in his two heats, which earned him the two highest total heat scores of the day with a 13.20 and a 13.27, respectively. The 25-year-old from San Diego advanced to the next round with ease and is one step closer to the final and potentially a second Gold Medal.
Pacelli, the 2013 SUP Surfing Gold Medalist, scored the highest women’s heat score with 11.26. Count on Pacelli to take advantage of her high placing on Day 1 to rest up and study her competition.
Team Mexico’s Felipe Hernandez was met by cheering and celebration on the beach after entertaining the crowd with the largest air of the day and a heat win. Photo: ISA/Ben Reed
Regardless of the first day’s results, nobody has been eliminated. All the athletes placing 1st and 2nd move on to the next round. All athletes that placed 3rd and 4th move on to the Repechaje Round, where they will get one more chance.
Day 2 of the webcast, will begin with The Morning Show at 8:40am hosted by Beau Hodge and will feature 2013 and 2014 SUP Technical Race Gold Medalist Casper Steinfath representing Team Denmark. Following will be the 20Km Women’s Long Distance SUP and Paddleboard Races.
On the SUP Racing side, defending Gold Medalist from 2014, Canada’s Lina Augaitis will be looking to defend her title. However, Augaitis will face stiff competition against newcomers, Candice Appleby from USA and Terrene Black from Australia.
The Paddleboard Race will feature the ISA’s most decorated athlete, Australia’s Jordan Mercer. 2014’s Silver Medalist, Carter Graves from USA will challenge the Australian for the Gold Medal.
Australia’s Jackson Close, shaking hands with Costa Rica’s Alvaro Solano, showing the spirt of sportsmanship, a common site at ISA World Championships. Photo: ISA/Ben Reed
Tune in to the live webscast of the second day of the 2015 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship Presented by Hotel Kupuri:
Monday, 8:40am Mexico
Monday, 6:40am West Coast USA
Monday, 3:40pm Paris, France
Monday, 11:40pm Sydney, Australia
Words: Original Article by isawsuppc.com
by Chris Couve | May 7, 2015 | Sayulita World Champs, Stand Up Paddle, SUP Racing, SUP Surfing
The 10 things you need to know about the 2015 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship are:
Fernando Stalla, Member of Team Mexico, SUP surfing at his home break of Sayulita, Mexico. Photo: Ed Dorsett/Wicked Fotos
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1. The Event
The ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championship (WSUPPC) will gather the world’s best SUP Racers, SUP Surfers, and Paddleboarders to compete in an International Teams competition.
It is an “Olympic Style” event – teams compete for medals and the honor of representing their countries. The excellence of competition reaches its highest level as each participant defends his or her country’s flag.
2. The Venue
Sayulita is a quaint, coastal village about 25 miles north of downtown Puerto Vallarta in the state of Nayarit, Mexico, with a population of approximately 5,000.
Summer temperatures in Sayulita average 88 degrees Fahrenheit (31 degrees Celsius) with high humidity and chances of rain.
Punta Sayulita is a rock/reef bottom break that is fed sand by a river-mouth, offering up right and left waves to surf.
3. The Competition
The ISA WSUPPC is an annual competition that will visit Mexico for the first time, and will feature defending Gold Medalists and up-and-coming athletes from around the world.
Lina Augaitis competirá por el Equipo de Canada para defender su Medalla de Oro en la Carrera SUP de Distancia. Foto: ISA/Rommel Gonzales
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4. The History
The ISA is Surfing’s World Governing Authority as recognized by the International Olympic Committee since 1995. The ISA first held the World SUP and Paddleboard Championship in 2012, in Miraflores, Peru and again in 2013.
During the 2014 ISA WSUPPC that took place in Granada and La Boquita, Nicaragua, the Australian Team won 11 Individual Medals and the Team Relay Gold Medal, awarding them the overall World Team Championship for the third consecutive year.
5. The Mission
The ISA’s mission is to develop Surfing and SUP globally. The 2015 edition of the World Championship was brought to Mexico to further develop the sport in the country. The ISA’s mission is fulfilled through annual World Championships, membership development, educational programs, scholarship distribution and working towards Surfing and SUP’s inclusion in the Olympic Games.
Tahiti’s Poenaiki Raioha will return to the 2015 ISA WSUPPC to defend his 2014 Gold Medal in SUP Surfing. Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle
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6. The Numbers
More than 300 SUP Surfers, SUP Racers, Paddleboarders and Team Officials from 27 countries will participate in the event. It will feature the following divisions with the maximum number of competitors per country in parenthesis:
SUP Surfing: Men (2), Woman (1)
SUP Racing Technical: Men (2), Woman (1)
SUP Racing Distance: Men (2), Woman (1)
Paddleboard Racing Technical: Man (1), Woman (1)
Paddleboard Racing Distance: Man (1), Woman (1)
Paddle Team Relay: (4 athletes per team)
SUP Racing: Man (1), Woman (1)
Paddleboard: Man (1), Woman (1)
7. The Schedule
The ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship Opening Ceremony will officially take place on May 10th, 2015 in Sayulita, Mexico, with the Parade of the Nations and the Sands of the World Ceremony.
The Parade of Nations is a colorful and energy-filled event, complete with teams chanting, flags waving and locals cheering who come out to watch the celebration.
The Sands of the World Ceremony symbolizes the true fraternal spirit that bonds all members of the global surfing tribe. The union of the countries in this Ceremony is symbolized through the mixing of the sands from the shores of all participating International Delegations, showcasing the ISA’s desire for a better and peaceful world.
Full Schedule Below (Subject to change according to local conditions):
Friday, May 8th
Press Conference 11am
Sunday, May 10th
Opening Ceremony 5pm
Monday, May 11th
First Day of Competition – SUP Surfing
Tuesday, May 12th
Long Distance Women Finals (SUP and Paddleboard)
Wednesday, May 13th
Long Distance Men Finals (SUP and Paddleboard)
Thursday, May 14th
SUP Surfing
Friday, May 15th
Technical Race Qualifying
Saturday, May 16th
SUP Surfing Finals & Team Relay
Sunday, May 17
Technical Race Finals
Team Relay Finals
Closing Ceremony
8. The Expectation
Traditional SUP and Paddleboard powerhouse teams like Australia, USA, France and Brazil have confirmed their participation in the World Championship.
In addition, new teams will have a presence including Hawaii, Holland and the US Virgin Islands.
9. The Growth
The ISA WSUPPC has witnessed explosive growth since the inaugural event in 2012. This World Championship has nearly tripled from 105 to more than 300 participants and grown from 17 to 27 countries.
10. Past Champions
2014 ISA WSUPPC Gold Medalists:
Overall Team Champion – Australia
Men’s SUP Surfing – Poenaiki Raioha (TAH)
Women’s SUP Surfing – Emmy Merrill (USA)
Men’s SUP Technical Race – Casper Steinfath (DEN)
Women’s SUP Technical Race – Shakira Westdorp (AUS)
Team Relay – Australia
Men’s Paddleboard Technical Race – Rhys Burrows (AUS)
Women’s Paddleboard Technical Race – Jordan Mercer (AUS)
Men’s SUP Long Distance Race – Titouan Puyo (FRA)
Women’s SUP Long Distance Race – Lina Augaitis (CAN)
Men’s Paddleboard Distance Race – Rhys Burrows (AUS)
Women’s Paddleboard Distance Race – Jordan Mercer (AUS)
2013 ISA WSUPPC Gold Medalists:
Overall Team Champion – Australia
Men’s SUP Surfing – Sean Poynter (USA)
Women’s SUP Surfing – Nicole Pacelli (BRA)
Men’s SUP Technical Race – Casper Steinfath (DEN)
Women’s SUP Technical Race – Angela Jackson (AUS)
Team Relay – Australia
Men’s Paddleboard Technical Race – Lincoln Dews (AUS)
Women’s Paddleboard Technical Race – Jordan Mercer (AUS)
Men’s SUP Long Distance Race – Jamie Mitchell (AUS)
Women’s SUP Long Distance Race – Angela Jackson (AUS)
Men’s Paddleboard Distance Race – Brad Gaul (AUS)
Women’s Paddleboard Distance Race – Jordan Mercer (AUS)
2012 ISA WSUPPC Gold Medalists:
Overall Team Champion – Australia
Men’s SUP Surfing – Antoine Delpero (FRA)
Women’s SUP Surfing – Emmy Merrill (USA)
Men’s SUP Technical Race – Travis Grant (AUS)
Women’s SUP Technical Race – Brandi Baksic (USA)
Team Relay – Australia
Men’s Paddleboard Technical Race – Brad Gaul (AUS)
Women’s Paddleboard Technical Race – Jordan Mercer (AUS)
Men’s SUP Long Distance Race – Jamie Mitchell (AUS)
Women’s SUP Long Distance Race – Brandi Baksic (AUS)
Men’s Paddleboard Distance Race – Brad Gaul (AUS)
Women’s Paddleboard Distance Race – Jordan Mercer (AUS)
Credits: Original article from International Surfing Association – www.isasurf.org
