Vertra's Kai Lenny to compete in 2011 Oxbow Ride the Sky Event

Vertra's Kai Lenny to compete in 2011 Oxbow Ride the Sky Event

Kai Lenny windsurfing

April 1st is just a few days away, and the mark of the 1 month holding period for the 2011 Oxbow Ride the Sky Event. An invitation only event drawing the world's best windsurfer's to Maui to compete for top prize. Enjoy Lenny in a quick event video teaser.

Ocean Ohana Catalina Challenge 2011 Video

Ocean Ohana Catalina Challenge 2011 Video

Vertra Sunscreen partnered up with Ocean Ohana for the 2011 Catalina Challenge. The 40 mile relay event from Avalon on Catalina to Dana Point draws some of the best OC1, OC2, SUP and paddleboard athletes. Teams are comprised into 2 and 3 paddlers per team.  Vertra's Danny Ching who dominated this event over the years choose to paddle the relay in a five person team. The team consisting of Danny Ching, Josh Cryton, Cryton's 10 year-old son Garrett and Garrett's two friends who were 10 and 13. "It was pretty special," commented Ching, "it's great to see the excitement in the young kids as they are the future for the sport." Even with less than favorable ocean conditions, the event was still a huge success. Family's gathered on Baby Beach to cheer on the athletes as they crossed the finish line. This event is special to the California paddling community commented Race Director Jeane Barrett, "It was great to have Vertra partnered with this years event as well as seeing Vertra crew supporting the athletes as they finished the race was awesome." 

2011 Catalina Challenge Finish line from Eric Abbott on Vimeo.

Morning Setup, waiting for 1st Finishers at Baby Beach, Dana Point

Thomas Gallagher coming across the finish line

Athlete completing the 40 mile Relay

Check for results at www.oceanohana.com

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!

For any additional information regarding Vertra Sunscreen, dealer locations or the Vertra Paddlesports team, Contact: 

Eric Abbott at: wailupeabbott@gmail.com (808)-551-9890. 

Or visit us on: 

Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/VertraElementaResistance

Twitter at: http://twitter.com/#search?q=vertrasuncare

Vertra's John Becker in the Snow

Vertra's John Becker SUPing in the Snow

Kamiah in the Snow

Even in the Snow, Vertra Sunscreen is not an option but a necessity! Vertra's John Becker knows this all to well as he spends his time both on the Santa Barbara Shores as well as on the Slopes in Utah. Check out some killer pics of John and his pup Kamiah enjoying some spring fun in the snow!

John doing some Cold Water Training

Vertra Paddlers at the 2010 Olukai Ho'olaule'a

Vertra Paddlers at the 2010 Olukai Ho'olaule'a

A killer video from the 2010 Olukai Ho'olaule'a Festival on Maui. Check on Danny Ching (blue Primo Hat), Riggs Napoleon (young gun) and Aaron Napoleon killing it on the Maliko Run!


2010 OluKai Ho'olaule'a from OluKai Premium Footwear on Vimeo.

Vertra's Matt Becker wins the 2011 Surftech SUP Race, Gillian Gibree takes 3rd!

Vertra Sunscreen's Matt Becker wins 2011 Surftech SUP Race, Gillian Gibree Takes 3rd!

Anthony Vela (Left) Matt Becker (Right)

 Santa Cruz, California (March 19th 2011) Vertra Sunscreen's Matt Becker takes the win at the 2011 Surftech SUP event in Santa Cruz this weekend!  The 6-mile elite race course was held in less than optimal conditions for the athletes, with wind gusts up to 20 MPH and near freezing water temps. Athletes had to battle all the elements just to finish.  Becker one of Vertra's youngest paddlesports athletes took top honors over Dan Gavere and Anthony Vela. "It was tough for sure out there today," commented Becker "you just had to push hard up wind, than surf your way back to the finish." Vela and Becker battled each other most of the race. "My Joe Bark 12'6 Competitor SUP board was incredible on the downwind portion of the race" added Becker. Vertra's Gillian Gibree took 3rd overall in the elite women's division as well this weekend.  For more info: http://surftechsup.com/news/sup_shootout_2011) 

Gillian Gibree

Matt Becker

Vela and Becker

Photos from: www.supconnect.com 

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!

For any additional information regarding Vertra Sunscreen, dealer locations or the Vertra Paddlesports team, Contact: 

Eric Abbott at: wailupeabbott@gmail.com (808)-551-9890. 

Or visit us on: 

Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/VertraElementaResistance

Twitter at: http://twitter.com/#search?q=vertrasuncare

Vertra's Brian Rocheleau Charging on all Levels!

Vertra's Brian Rocheleau Charging on all Levesl!

Oahu's Brian Rocheleau and Vertra Sunscreen Ambassador gives the paddling community a taste of his big wave surfing side. Most of us know Brian for his dominance on the unlimited paddleboard, however, Rocheleau can still hold his own out on the North Shore. (pics form www.joebark.com)

Brian in the Molokai Channel

Brian Rocheleau at Waimea

Rocheleau Charging

Kai Lenny to Compete at the 2011 Oxbow: Ride The Sky event

Vertra's Kai Lenny to Compete at the 2011 Oxbow: Ride the Sky 

Maui Native Kai Lenny is set to compete in the Oxbow: Ride the Sky event Presented by Naish coming up in April. The contest will be taking place at Ho'okipa Beach on Maui. The one month holding period will begin April 1st and the contest will be held in the best possible wind. An invitation only event, Windsurfers will compete for highest air, best trick and worst wipeout.

Offical Oxbow Press Release:

Ride the SkyPresented by Naish

Windsurf High Jump Event  |  française ci-dessous

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 7 March, 2011 : - - Oxbow Ride the Sky presented by Naish will take the sport of windsurfing to world-record breaking heights on Maui in April. This event will be held at Ho‘okipa Beach Park on the east side of the Valley Isle and its one-month holding period begins on April 1.

Oxbow Ride the Sky officials will choose the best possible conditions for the single day of competition. Competitors will utilize a GPS system on their boards, which will measure their amplitude, speed and height. These professional athletes will be competing for highest air, best trick and worst wipeout. The highest air will be awarded a $100 per foot and $2,500 will go to best trick winner.

There are 20 world-class windsurfers invited to this event, like Oxbow team riders Levi Siver, Jason Polakow, Kai Lenny and Phillip Koster. Naish International’s Robby Naish will also be competing in the Oxbow Ride the Sky. An incredible event that will be registered in the Guinness World Records Book! Follow the event on facebook

www.oxboworld.com

Vertra performs tops at 2011 Koa Nui Championships!

Vertra performs tops at 2011 Koa Nui Championships!

Kai Bartlett

Lauren Bartlett

Vertra Sunscreen's Danny Ching and Lauren Bartlett took top honors at the 2011 Koa Nui Championships last weekend. Pat Dolan winner of last years Koa Nui Title took third followed by Maui's Kai Bartlett (two-time Koa Nui Winner). Scott Gamble rounded out the elite field of paddlers in 10th! "It was great to see Vertra's paddlers perform this weekend," commented Vertra's President Bobby Higa.  This event is a precursor to the 2011 Steinlager OC1 World Championships coming up at the end of the month.

Scott Gamble

Vertra Crew!

Vertra's Pat Dolan and the Mens K4 Paddling Video

Vertra's Pat Dolan and the Mens K4 Paddling Video

Pat Dolan: Photo: http://www.facebook.com/dolanbros

Vertra Sunscreen's Pat Dolan is training with the Mens National Kayaking Team in Hawaii. In preparation for the 2011 World Championships, the men are working on a solid K4 (4 person) boat combination. Watch the video of the boys training in the Ala Wai Canal. Also featured in the video is Morgan House (Georgia), Luke Michael and Jake Michael.

Vertra Sunscreen Well Represented at 2011 Koa Nui Championships!

Vertra Sunscreen Well Represented at 2011 Koa Nui Championships!

Kai Bartlett

Pat Dolan

Honolulu, HAWAII—This weekend’s Koa Nui Championships may be the most competitive of its four year history. The two day, three-stage race presented by the Paddling Athletes Association (PA’A) is considered to be the all-around Oahu coastal championships with races ranging from sprints and mid-distance to a longer, 18 mile finale. This year, some of the world’s best paddlers, including last year’s Molokai Solo Champion, California’s Danny Ching, will gather to compete for the prestigious Koa Nui crown.
 

Last year’s crown, which is determined by cumulative point standings of each stage, was a heroic battle between second place Molokai Solo finisher Jimmy Austin and Olympic hopeful Patrick Dolan, which came down to their placing in the final leg. This year’s competition will run much deeper with rumors of attendance from 2010 Molokai Solo winner Danny Ching, the two-time Koa Nui Champ Kai Bartlett and up and coming phenom—Will Reichenstien.

While differing in format, the Koa Nui Championships is somewhat considered a warm-up for next month’s PA’A Molokai Solo, known as  the World Championships in solo canoe paddling. The three varying distances make it anyone’s race as National Kayaking Team sprinter and reigning 2010 Koa Nui Champion Patrick Dolan could easily find competition from flat-water specialist Danny Ching and last weekend’s winner Will Reichenstein. If the trades return, the battle through the surf will be between O’ahu favorite Jimmy Austin and Maui’s Kai Bartlett.

“The Koa Nui Champs are a different race than the longer, marathon-like Molokai Solo, but in terms of competition it’s a good opportunity to see what you’ll be up against in the channel,” said last year’s runner up Jimmy Austin. “Danny mainly trains in California, and Kai is on Maui, so this is the sort of the first and last chance to race these guys until the (Molokai) solo.”

Patrick Dolan, will attempt to defend his title and compete this weekend having not trained in an OC-1 at all season due to his rigorous National Kayaking Team schedule.

“It’s more of a fun race for me because I haven’t been in a canoe in a while,” said Dolan, who has been racing (and winning) in the surfski division this season. “I’m just stoked come out and see where I stack up against these guys.”

For the women, defending and undefeated Koa Nui champion, Maui’s Lauren Bartlett, will return to face off against O’ahu season favorite Lori Nakamura.

The first stage starts on Saturday Mar. 5, in Hawaii Kai as competitors take laps in the Marina fronting Kona Brewing Co. Immediately following, participants load up their boats and head to Makai Pier for and 8 mile run back to the Shack Hawaii Kai. On Sunday, competitors head back to Makai Pier for an 18-mile downwind run into the Anuenue Canoe Club site, inside the Hilton Lagoon.

The Koa Nui Schedule is as follows:

COURSE:

Saturday March 5th — Stage I and Stage II
9:15am - Long and Short courses Hawaii Kai Marina Stage I sprint time trial (~10-20 min).
11:15am - Stage II Long Course Makapu’u to Hawaii Kai Shack
                 Stage II Short Course Hawaii Kai Triangle to Shack (~4-5 miles)

Sunday March 6th — Stage III10:00am - Stage III Long Course Makapu’u to Anuenue*
                 Stage III Short Course Hawaii Kai to Anuenue * First finishers expected at approx. 12:30 p.m.
SUP, Paddlboard, V1, V6 will be held on Sunday with Stage III at 10:00am from Hawaii Kai to Anuenue.

 

The race is open to the public and provides a “short-course” option for all levels of experience

For more information or to sign up for the race, visit www.paahawaii.com and click on Koa Nui Championship. 

Written by: Angie Giancaterino

www.commoceanhi.com

Pat Dolan Open Ocean K1 Paddling in Hawaii

Vertra's Pat Dolan does Open Ocean K1 Paddling in Hawaii Kai
As if Olympic Style Kayaking (K1) was not already hard enough in flatwater, USA National Team Kayaker Pat Dolan decided to take his Epic K1 kayak out for a race in Moanalua Bay on the Island of Oahu. Pretty impressive to say the least. Thanks for being the man Pat!

Pat Dolan K1 Paddling in Moanalua Bay
Picture from CommOcean Hawaii: Click here for link!