Vertra's Sunscreen Abbott and Coté head to Malibu for the Downwinder

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Contact:

Keoni Watson

Vertra’s Paddlesports Marketing

www.vertra.com

Vertra Sunscreen’s Coté/Abbott head to L.A. for the Malibu Downwinder

Malibu Ca, May 6, 2010- The 2010 Malibu paddleboard Downwinder kicks off this Saturday May 8^th, at 2 p.m. in Malibu California. Paddlers will navigate the seven-mile downwind course starting at Mugu State Beach and ending in Leo Carillo State Beach park. With fresh westerly winds forecast, paddlers can expect fast times and a premiere Californian downwind day.

Vertra’s Mikey Coté, the two-time, and current Molokai champion will be present at this years race. Coté, the 2008 and 2009 Molokai to Oahu stock paddleboarding champion will take a road trip across the Pacific, to race in this years Malibu Downwinder. After a record setting time in last years Molokai to Oahu World Championships, Coté has elected to increase his board length and enter the unlimited paddleboard division. “I love stock, it is tradition” Coté mentioned, “but it is time to move up into the unlimited class division.” This will be Coté’s second time paddling this event, after winning the stock division in 2007. “We had good wind in 2007, hopefully it will be the same this year,” said Mikey. Coté who already has his name on the perpetual trophy for winning the stock division, is looking to add it again, under the unlimited division. “I’m looking forward to dialing in equipment for the year with Joe Bark while I’m there – my 12 footers have been insane these past few years so I cant wait to get on one of his unlimited models”.

Coté, on his Joe Bark Unlimited Paddleboard

The stock division (boards of 12 feet or less) is always an exciting division to watch and if the forecast holds, more than a handful of these paddlers should move way up into overall finish list. Although stock boards have less glide, a skilled “surfer” can be very competitive overall by taking advantage of a shorter waterline, which tends to fit between the bumps well.

Eric Abbott, mid-channel, Molokai 2009

Hawaii has bred many of these paddlers and will be represented well in the stock division by newly signed Vertra athlete Eric Abbott. Eric had been one of Hawaii’s top stock paddlers for years and has been on the mainland attending USD and training in with the Olympic Training Centers K-1 program. With podium finishes in both Molokai and the Catalina Classic last year, he has proven to be a threat no matter what the conditions.

The Malibu Downwinder is a fundraiser to help support the Leo Carillo State Lifeguards and Junior Guard Program. All proceeds from the race will be donated. The seven-mile course runs southeasterly along the cost, and ten to twenty knot Northwest winds are expected to help kick up the swells and allow for more surfing.

The 2010 Malibu Downwinder will have sponsors tents set up to check out the latest product from each company. Event Sponsors are: Honolua Surf Co., Kaenon Polarized, Primo Island Lager, Vertra: Elemental Resistant Sunscreen, Duke’s Malibu Restaurant, Joe Bark Paddleboards and ZJ Boarding House.

For more event information go to: http://malibudw.blogspot.com/

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 bear 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!