Lauren Bartlett is back in the Kaiwi Channel...Again!

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Keoni Watson

Eric Abbott

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Vertra’s Paddlesports Marketing

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Lauren Bartlett is back in the Kaiwi Channel…Again!

Image by Stephanie Brown

Honolulu Hi, May 13^th, 2010- The 34^th annual Molokai to Oahu surfski channel crossing is set for this Sunday, May 16^th. The history of this channel dates back to one paddler crossing the channel in 1976, to over a hundred competitors in the 2009 EPIC championships. Vertra Sunscreen’s Lauren Bartlett one of the most decorated Hawaiian paddlers, is back in the channel again for this years crossing paddling on an EPIC V10L surfski.

Lauren Bartlett is about to call the Kaiwi channel her new home. This will be Bartlett’s third channel crossing in four weeks. After winning the 2010 Molokai to Oahu OC1 world champions in late March, and the Kaiwi Channel OC1 relay with partner Andrea Moller two weeks ago, Bartlett will gear up for another 32 mile solo crossing. This time she will be loosing the ama and gaining a double sided paddle as she prepares for the EPIC Molokai Championships.

Barlett who is known for her skill and paddling ability in the OC1, is no slouch when is comes to paddling in the surfski. After a successful career on the United States Olympic kayaking team and representing the USA at Athens in 2004, Bartlett has continued her success on the surfski at home in Hawaii and abroad at some of the surfski world cup events. Bartlett won the EPIC solo in 2008 and placed third in 2009, and is looking at coming back strong again in this years crossing. With favorable 15-20 mph winds forecasted, Bartlett will find these conditions more favorable than last years flat channel. “The Molokai Channel is about big swells and strong gusting winds. And as of right now, that looks like what we are going to get- I’m excited” Bartlett commented. Paddlers, who can harness the speed from the ocean swells, will find success in the Kaiwi channel crossings.

The EPIC Solo will depart Kalua Koi Hotel on Molokai and end inside Moanalua Bay on Oahu. The top male competitors will be arriving about 3.5 hours after the 11am start as well as the top female competitors about 4.5 hours after the start. The finish will be at the bathhouse outside of Koko Marina.

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!

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

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Contact:

Keoni Watson

Eric Abbott

wailupeabbott@gmail.com

Vertra’s Paddlesports Marketing

www.vertra.com

Image by Cody Silvester

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!

Stong Winds and Fast Times at the Malibu Downwinder

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Contact:

Keoni Watson

Eric Abbott

wailupeabbott@gmail.com

Vertra’s Paddlesports Marketing

www.vertra.com

Image from Joebark.com

Strong Winds and Fast Times at the Malibu Downwinder

Malibu Ca, May 9, 2010- The 2010 Malibu Downwinder paddleboard race lived up to the hype of being a premiere California downwind race. The local knowledge by race director Gary Fortune to run the event later in the afternoon, allowed for the California winds to build throughout the day. As a result, by 11 o’clock, the Honolua Flags planted at the finish line at Leo Carrillo Beach Park, began flapping in the wind, a welcomed sign by all paddlers. “We were pleased to see the flags blowing in a northwest direction so early in the afternoon,” Fortune commented. Yesterday’s raced marked the seventh consecutive year of running the Malibu Downwinder event, and many veteran competitors argued that these were the best conditions yet. Strong winds and consistent bumps allowed for Vertra Sunscreen’s Hawaii paddleboarding team Mikey Coté and Eric Abbott, to have podium finishes in the Unlimited and Stock divisions.

The 2009 reigning Molokai world champion and current record holder in the stock division, proved in yesterdays Malibu Downwinder, why he is considered to be amongst the elite in downwind surfing ability. Jumping out to an early lead, Coté found himself at home, surfing his way to victory in small, but consistent two-foot wind swells. “You never know the conditions you will race in, while in California,” Coté explained, “I was just stoked to see those flags flapping hard hours before the start.” Mikey finished the course in one hour and eleven minutes.

There were many speculations amongst the race director and the spectator crowd, if Coté had indeed set a new course record for the Malibu Downwinder event. “These were the best conditions we have had since the inaugural race seven years ago,” race director Fortune commented after the event. Fortune and other race officials, looked back into race results for the past seven years to compare the winning paddleboarding times. Coté’s time came close to setting the record, but the time set in the inaugural race was a mere seconds ahead of Coté’s finishing time. This marks Coté’s second win in the Malibu Downwinder event, and the second time his name will appear on the perpetual trophy. “It was a successful trip across the pacific,” Coté mentioned. “I also got a chance to talk and meet with Joe Bark again, and dial in my Molokai Unlimited paddleboard for this years crossing. I am looking forward to giving the unlimited board a good run in the channel this year,” says Coté.

This year’s event ran smoothly and provided paddlers with a windy competition. “With great sponsors helping out like Honolua, Vertra sunscreen, Primo Beer, and ZJ Boarding house, it makes for a successful and fun event,” Fortune added. The small shore break coming into the finish, supplied spectators and competitors at Leo Carrillo Beach Park with entertainment as paddlers were wiped out by waves while trying to make their way to the finish line.

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!

Clean Sweep by Team Vertra Sunscreen

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Contact:

Keoni Watson

Eric Abbott

(808) 551-9890

Vertra’s Paddlesports Marketing

www.vertra.com

Clean Sweep by Team Vertra Sunscreen

Honolulu, Hi (April 23, 2010) For the 2nd straight year, Team Vertra Suncare pulled out a clean sweep in last weekends Steinlager Molokai to Oahu outrigger canoe world championships. In classic channel conditions packing 10-20 knot winds fueling 10 foot seas, Vertra athletes Danny Ching from California and Lauren Bartlett from Maui, captured their respective world titles. Defending and 4-time event winner Kai Bartlett, also had a great day in the channel, surfing his way to a 4^th overall placing. To win this event, it takes months of physical training, dedication, and most importantly experience. This 32-mile open ocean channel between Molokai and Oahu, is one of the most dangerous stretches of waterways in the world and with conditions such as last weeks, It is very easy to loose perception and get blown off course. The course a paddler chooses is crucial to success in this race, so consequently local knowledge has always played a big role in success here.

Danny Ching made outrigger canoe history, becoming the first non-Hawaii born paddler to win the prestigious Molokai to Oahu world championships in one-man outrigger canoes. “It’s a great feeling of accomplishment,” Ching added. Ching is the success story, which embodies hard work and paying you dues. Ching who placed 2^nd in 2009 and 3^rd in 2008 has been working his way up the leader board year after year. This year he broke though and captured his first world title. The battle across the channel was not easily won however. From the moment he took an early lead, Ching knew he had three of Hawaii's best bearing down on him. “I just put my head down, and paddled like I know how to,” Ching commented. Even with the best training, successfully navigating Sunday's wild channel conditions proved to be a separate battle in itself, making this a truly impressive victory.

Lauren Bartlett who is no stranger to the Kaiwi channel, had the paddling race of her life. She won in a decisive fashion finishing the race in just over 4 hours and 13 minutes, completely smashing her old world record she set two years ago by more than seven minutes, and which was a full 10 minutes ahead of the next female competitor. The strong winds made for a fun crossing, but as Bartlett noted, “even with wind, it is still tough out there.” This was Bartlett’s 4th World Championship in a row and brings her total now to an astounding seven just in OC1 competition. "There really never was a question of if she would win, Dolan says, the question was how many of the male competitors she would take out this year" She was paddling her new Kai Wa’a Pegasus one-man canoe Sunday, but will go for her 2^nd title on a surfski later next month in the Epic World Surfski Championships.

Kai was a last minute entree, only deciding 4 days before the event to race. Bartlett admitted an injured shoulder has kept him from keeping his normal training and racing schedule this year, but with great conditions forecasted for the weekend, he realized sitting out was not an option. "You only get so many opportunities to cross that channel" he said, "I am stoked just to have the chance to do it, but I surprised myself with 4th! Man, that was a lot of fun out there!"

Although the one-man world championships have taken place, the next few weekends hold major paddling events in the Hawaiian Islands. Vertra’s athletes will be represented in the Maui to Molokai Channel race on April 25^th, the Kauai Challenge Relay on May 1, the Molokai to Oahu OC1 Relay on May 8^th, and the EPIC Surfski Molokai to Oahu world challenge on May 22^nd.

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

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 bare 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!

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

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Contact:

Keoni Watson

Vertra’s Paddlesports Marketing

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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!