Please Note: OneWheels and Inflatable Standup Paddle Boards can only be shipped within Canada. Rigid Standup Paddle Boards are ONLY available for Local Pickup.
I was lucky enough to get my hands on a 2013 Starboard Astro Touring 12’6″ Inflatable a little while ago.
This board is a game changer. Up until now, inflatables have been great for travel and storage – and “okay” for paddling around.
The Astro Touring family are still great for travel and where storage is an issue – – AND they are amazing paddling boards on flat water.
They will be coming in 12’6″ x 30″ x 6″ / 14′ x 30″ x 6″ and 16′ x 32″ x 6 (for hauling lots of gear or tandem paddling)
They even come in 3 colors so you can match (or not) with your friends.
I have 10 of the 2013 – 12’6″ models arriving in a couple of weeks – If you want to be the first in Canada to own one – come see me really soon.
The Starboard presents – 5th Annual Easy Rider SUP Cup – August 11 7 12, 2012 – is in the history books.
The event weekend started off with a Kalama Klinic by Dave Kalama on Friday morning at Telford Lake in Leduc, AB.
A dozen SUP paddlers were fortunate enough to have almost 5 hours of dry land and on water coaching from Dave.
Everyone commented on how much they improved.
Saturday morning was the River Race & Tour – on the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton, AB.
The racers met at Laurier Park for their shuttle ride up the river to Terwilliger Park – where they started shortly before 10:00 AM.
The race distance of 15.5 km featured 29 paddlers.
Right off the start the lead pack of 6 paddlers jumped out to an early lead. The pack featured Warren Currie (event organizer), Howie Ewashko, Kristian Pearson, Des Ross, Mike Darbyshire, and Dave Kalama).
As the lead racers approached Laurier Park on the river the Touring Class entrants joined in for their 9 km paddle to the finish at Rafters Landing.
The Touring class featured 35 paddlers from age 13 to 62.
As the race pack strung out – it was Dave Kalama and Mike Darbyshire taking the lead all the way to the finish, with Howie Ewashko in 3rd, Kristian Pearson in 4th, Des Ross 5th over all and 1st in 12’6″ and Warren Currie coming in 6th overall.
The Women’s division was won by Diane Wenzel who made the trek up from SoCal for the event.
The Juniors race class was won by 14 year old Griffin Currie.
Once all the paddlers were safe and sound at Rafters Landing – the shuttle vehicles were loaded up for the trip back to Laurier Park.
The BBQ and Awards went on for several hours with everyone having a great time and talking about the event. The Burgers were a big hit (Thanks for pulling Chef duties Ron). Then came the draw prizes. Well over $12,000. worth of product was given away by draw. A HUGE Thank You to all of the Sponsors of the event.
Next on the itinerary was the Canadian Premiere of the SUP Surf movie H2indO on Saturday evening.
Approximately 50 people came out for the showing of this awesome movie – that had Dave Kalama in attendance – and signing copies of the movie at the end.
Sunday, the final day, was the World’s only Indoor SUP Surf Contest.
Thirty entrants were up early to tackle the wave pool at West Edmonton Mall.
The Mens Final was taken by Mike Darbyshire – crowing him the Overall Champion for the weekend.
Diane Wenzel took the Women’s Surf title – also giving here the Women’s Overall Championship.
And Griffin Currie took the Juniors Surf final – and the Juniors Overall Champion.
In order to maximize time in the Wave Pool (and allow everyone a 20 minute session at the end) – the awards and yet more draw prizes were handed out in the parking lot of the mall.
Thank you to all that helped out with the event – It would not have happened with out the support of the Industry and the volunteers.
Thanks
Warren Currie
Kalama KlinicShuttle van #1 is loaded.Racer registration and check in (Dave Kalama’s leg)The trek to the water for the race start at Terwilliger Park.Racers ready!Touring Class paddlers (with their 4 legged friend).Dave Kalama and Mike DarbyshireEvent organizer – Warren CurrieComing in at Rafters Landing.Awards and BBQWindsurfing Rig pack – Draw Prize WinnerCoreban Alpha 14′ – Draw Prize WinnerStarboard Race 12’6″ – Draw Prize WinnerH2indO PremiereStarboard Carbon Beer Tub!Indoor Surf ContestTrey catching one!Marc (with out his dog on board)Juniors division! They are the Future.Riviera Nugg – Draw Prize Winner
As a prize for our 25th Annual Snowboard Cup back in April – Ride Snowboards gave away a trip to their factory in Seattle for the draw prize winner and a guest. Myself and our Ride sales rep. – Tom – were also invited ot tag along.
It was an awesome trip – and I really want to than Thank – Ride Snowboard and Tom for an awseome prize.
Here is a photo essay of the trip.
First off was Dinner at “The Crab Pot” – any meal which involves a hammer has to be good!Yup – it was good!We then walked around the water front area – including a trip down Post Alley – including the famous “Gum Wall” (yes – that is all used chewing gum)The next day at the factory – the tour began in the offices – including a stop in the graphics department.Then into the warehouse. It’s BIG!From the warehouse it was into the prototype facility – where we were walked through everything that goes into making a snowboard. Wood Core here.Cool die cut Easy Rider base – Base and edges on left and the mold is prepared on right.The fiberglass is “wetted” with epoxy.Core and more glass added – along with carbon strands.Into the press.Out of the press – and left to cure for 24 hours.They made Mackinzie’s board the day before – he got his own die cut base!Trimming the excess.Finish sanding.After watching our boards get made we were able to go into the freezer (-30c) to see how they test boards. This machine smashed a board at 50kph into a metal bar.
Then it was a quick lunch and back to the airport.
Thanks again to Ride and Tom for such a kick butt prize!
