Pacific Paddler Contents


	The week leading up to the first annual New Year’s Challenge in Seattle saw temperatures in the low 40s, wind gusts up to 30 knots and driving rain. Race day morning greeted the 132 competitors with 46 degrees, sun breaks and winds out of the south in the 20s. Perfect, at least by Northwest standards. At the starting line, three six-mans, two dragon boats, some racing shells, thirteen SUPs and the rest of the outriggers, surf skis and kayaks got going right on time thanks to Troy Nishikawa, one of the race organizers. This one-way course began in the semi-protected waters of the Lake Washington shipping canal and headed east for 2.5 miles, then turned north for 3 miles of good down wind conditions before rounding a headland for the 1.5 mile finish. Leading the OC-1s was Alan Goto, who said "The guys at Paddling Dynamics put together a great race. The wind and weather must have been ordered up just for all of us here in the Pacific NW. Having all those different types of paddlers out on the starting line was a real sight." Beau Whitehead, who came in first for SUPs, agreed saying,“Just being in the water with that many different paddle craft, especially the OC6s and the dragon boats was awesome. Paddle races are great in that it lets all levels of skill enter... not just for the elite. I come from 20 years of bicycle racing, and this is a refreshing change for me. Everyone is so friendly and happy... no attitudes." James Clapp, also on a one man, said, “I was impressed that so many people would come out on a winter's day in Seattle. It shows how much love there is for paddling here in the NW. Also, the growth of SUP is very cool to see. It's bringing a whole bunch more people into the sport, which is always good.” After the race, competitors and volunteers appreciated the great 'kalua pig' and curry with rice provided by the Hungry Paddler. This is the premier event for the new organization, Paddling Dynamics, which was formed by Ernie Wong, Troy Nishikawa and Brady Guinn with the intent of bringing paddle sports to a larger audience. This year’s event was successful in large part due to the generosity of the sponsors including Kialoa, RackNRoad, Hawaii General Store and others. It also didn’t hurt that it might be the only paddling event giving away championship belts to the fastest man and woman across the line as well as the 'Golden Cup' to the fastest non-solo craft. The racers competing for these travelled from California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington and Vancouver, BC. Next year the belts will be back up for grabs as perpetual trophies. Beau summed it up for everyone when he said, “This is a race that I will look forward to every year.” For race results, photos, videos and to see what other events are coming up, go to paddlingdynamics.com. By Brady Guinn	New Challenge in Seattle California Big Island of Hawaii Tui Tonga Festival Hawaiian Kamali‘i, Inc. Braddah Mel's Canoe Surfing Stan Dickson on the future Vaka Eiva

The week leading up to the first annual New Year’s Challenge in Seattle saw temperatures in the low 40s, wind gusts up to 30 knots and driving rain. Race day morning greeted the 132 competitors with 46 degrees, sun breaks and winds out of the south in the 20s. Perfect, at least by Northwest standards. At the starting line, three six-mans, two dragon boats, some racing shells, thirteen SUPs and the rest of the outriggers, surf skis and kayaks got going right on time thanks to Troy Nishikawa, one of the race organizers. This one-way course began in the semi-protected waters of the Lake Washington shipping canal and headed east for 2.5 miles, then turned north for 3 miles of good down wind conditions before rounding a headland for the 1.5 mile finish.

Leading the OC-1s was Alan Goto, who said "The guys at Paddling Dynamics put together a great race. The wind and weather must have been ordered up just for all of us here in the Pacific NW. Having all those different types of paddlers out on the starting line was a real sight." Beau Whitehead, who came in first for SUPs, agreed saying,“Just being in the water with that many different paddle craft, especially the OC6s and the dragon boats was awesome. Paddle races are great in that it lets all levels of skill enter... not just for the elite. I come from 20 years of bicycle racing, and this is a refreshing change for me. Everyone is so friendly and happy... no attitudes."
James Clapp, also on a one man, said, “I was impressed that so many people would come out on a winter's day in Seattle. It shows how much love there is for paddling here in the NW. Also, the growth of SUP is very cool to see. It's bringing a whole bunch more people into the sport, which is always good.”
After the race, competitors and volunteers appreciated the great 'kalua pig' and curry with rice provided by the Hungry Paddler.
This is the premier event for the new organization, Paddling Dynamics, which was formed by Ernie Wong, Troy Nishikawa and Brady Guinn with the intent of bringing paddle sports to a larger audience. This year’s event was successful in large part due to the generosity of the sponsors including Kialoa, RackNRoad, Hawaii General Store and others. It also didn’t hurt that it might be the only paddling event giving away championship belts to the fastest man and woman across the line as well as the 'Golden Cup' to the fastest non-solo craft. The racers competing for these travelled from California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington and Vancouver, BC. Next year the belts will be back up for grabs as perpetual trophies. Beau summed it up for everyone when he said, “This is a race that I will look forward to every year.”
For race results, photos, videos and to see what other events are coming up, go to paddlingdynamics.com.
By Brady Guinn

New Challenge in Seattle
California
Big Island of Hawaii
Tui Tonga Festival
Hawaiian Kamali‘i, Inc.
Braddah Mel's Canoe Surfing
Stan Dickson on the future
Vaka Eiva