Ching heads to Maui for the OluKai Footwear Ho’olaule’a Downwinder

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Ching heads to Maui for the OluKai Footwear Ho’olaule’a Downwinder

Maui Hi, May 13, 2010- Vertra Sunscreen’s Danny Ching, heads back to the Hawaiian Islands for the 2010 OluKai Footwear Ho’olaule’a downwind Standup paddle and OC1 race. The races take place on the world-class downind course starting at Maliko Gulch and ending 8 miles down the coast at Kanaha Beach Park. On Saturday the elite standup paddle racers compete and Sunday will be the elite OC1 race. Both race days start at 11 o’clock and male and female athletes will be competing for top prize and 1,500 dollars.

The OluKai festival draws the best paddlers from Hawaii and abroad. One of these paddlers is California’s Danny Ching, the 2010 Molokai to Oahu OC1 world champion and the 2009 Battle of the Paddle SUP distance champion. Ching has once again made the trip back to the islands to test his skills and speed on the quick and fast Maliko downwind course. “It’s a great festival, and a fun way to close down the OC1 season,” Ching commented. Although the projected 20 mph winds are a welcomed sign by paddlers, athletes will still have to be on top their game to cross the finish line first. “It’s a mix of surfing skill, and endurance,” says Ching. Danny will race both days, paddling an Unlimited SUP on Saturday and his OC1 on Sunday.

Ching arrived back on Maui earlier this week, and has been passing the time training on the Maliko run and enjoying some well deserved downtime as he switches gears in the OC6 season. “Just came in from a Maliko run,” Ching commented, “I was doing bottom turns on open ocean swells on my F17 unlimited SUP.” Danny will also have a chance to reconnect with his crewmates from Team Primo. Danny was one of nine guys selected to Team Primo’s 6-man outrigger canoe crew last season. In the 2009 Molokai Hoe, Team Primo placed second overall.

The Olukai Ho’olaule’a is a, “celebration of ocean and the cultures that surround it.” In addition to the competitive races taking place over the weekend, free Hawaiian games hosted by Maui Cultural Lands, free Sailing Canoe Rides, and live Hawaiian Music and hula will also be a major attraction. Part of the proceeds will benefit the OluKai ‘Ohana Giveback Program, a program that benefits the Maui Cultural Lands and the Hawaiian Junior Lifeguard program. For more information on the event go online at: http://www.olukai.com/OlukaiHoolaulea.aspx

For any additional information regarding Vertra Sunscreen, dealer locations or the Vertra Paddlesports team, Contact: Eric Abbot at: wailupeabbott@gmail.com. Or visit us on facebook at www.facebook.com/vertrapaddlesports

About Vertra Sunscreen

Vertra Sunscreen embodies the characteristics of being a quality, innovative and stylish product. Our superior line of sun resistant products carries the full endorsement of the Hawaii Lifeguard Association in addition to all our products posses the Skin Caner Foundation Official Seal of Recommendation. We have developed, formulated, and manufactured a product with superior ingredients in a designer quality fashion…we would not settle for anything less!