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| Eric Abbott- Molokai Channel |
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| Eric Abbott 2010 Stock Molokai Champion 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! |
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| Brian Rocheleau 1 hour into the Race |
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| Eric Abbott |
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| Eric Abbott |
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| Brian Rocheleau |
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| Eric Abbott |
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| Brian Rocheleau rounding the R10 Buoy More Photos can be found at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=8687&id=100001413757354&ref=mf |
Vertra Sunscreen’s Team at the 2010 Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race
Catalina, CA (August, 26) The 2010 Catalina Classic Paddleboard race kicks off this Sunday at Two Harbors. The 32-mile course will begin at the Isthmus and cross the Catalina Channel and end at Manhattan Pier. This will be the 35th annual crossing of the event with just over 100 athletes entered. This race is unique in that it is solely a prone paddlers race, which paddlers can either choose to paddle a 12 ft. (20 pound) "stock board" or an "unlimited board" in which anything goes.
Vertra's Paddlesports team will be well covered and racing in this years event. Brian Rocheleau a top Hawaiian paddler will be making his way over from the warm pacific to race. As a consistent top 3 finisher at the Molokai World Championships of paddleboarding, he will be a contender for this year’s trophy. "I am excited to make it over," commented Rocheleau. "It's a big race with lots of history, the Californians come out to Hawaii for our race, so well come over for theirs." The unlimited field looks competitive this year, with many new and old faces showing up once again to test their skills and endurance in the channel.
Other Vertra paddlers to make the trip to Catalina will be Brian's brother Mark Rocheleau paddling an unlimited board and Eric Abbott paddling on a stock board.
For more information on the Catalina Classic visit their website http://catalinaclassicpaddleboardrace.org/links.html
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 www.facebook.com/vertrapaddle
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 IMMEDIATE RELEASE::
Contact:
Keoni Watson
Vertra’s Paddlesports Marketing
Team Vertra takes 2 of 3 paddleboard divisions - Abbott, Duncan-Seraphin win “Molokai”
Honolulu, Hi (August, 4th 2010) Hawaiian paddlers Eric Abbott and Kanesa Duncan-Seraphin dominated their respective divisions at the Molokai 2 Oahu paddleboard race last weekend. The 32-mile course across the Kaiwi Channel is considered the World Championships of paddleboarding and two of Hawaii’s finest came up big against the international field.
After winning the Soljah-Primo Challenge, the 17 mile Cline Mann Memorial race, and the Maui International in the weeks leading up to Molokai, Eric was definitely the favorite to win the stock (12 foot, no rudder) division in Molokai. The field was definitely stacked with Shane Scoggins entered, who ran the table in California this year, but it just was tough to bet against Abbott. He came through despite all the pressure and not only smashed the next stock paddler by 9 minutes, turned in one of the best times in the race’s history. “It’s a great honor to keep the stock crown in Hawaii,” Eric commented after the race. “This race encompasses a lot of tradition, and to have my name next to guys like Cote, Watson, Pere and Monahan is truly an honor.”
The solo stock class is about as burly as it gets - ask a cross section of paddlers from all racing disciplines and you will hear this listed as the most demanding way to cross this channel. Although stockers don’t garner the fanfare, the paddlers know the Molokai Stock is one of the most coveted titles this sport has to offer.
Every year, the question surrounding Kanesa is not only if she will win the women’s division, but also how much of the men’s field she is going to take down in the process. This year was no different as she delivered her 8th title and finished in front of a good deal of the men and even 2 man teams. “We are so proud of Kanesa” – Vertra President Bobby Higa said at the finish, “every year we hear her name called as she paddles the final stretch and it is just unbelievable when you think of what big names haven’t come in yet. She is truly an inspiration to women in all aspects of water sports”.
In addition to the two paddleboard titles, Vertra athletes accounted for half of the top 8 in the unlimited paddleboard class including a 2nd place overall by Singapore’s Jackson English and 4th place by Mikey Cote. It was the Australia-born Jackson’s 2nd runner up finish in 3 years and Mikey shocked the field as the first Hawaiian finisher in the unlimited division after winning stock the previous 2 years. “I had an interesting year getting equipment dialed in and making the adjustment to the stroke on the longer board” Mikey admitted. “I left it all out in the channel today and I’m ecstatic It all came together in the most important race of the year”.
There were also some incredible performances by Vertra athletes in the Stand Up Paddle (SUP) division as well. Hawaii’s Scott Gamble finished with a podium spot at 3rd and turned in the 4th fastest time overall Sunday.
But probably the most inspirational performance of the day was from 12 year old Riggs Napoleon who earned the distinction of being the youngest person to ever paddle any craft across the Kaiwi channel. “What Riggs did today was truly shocking, but when you think about his grandfather Nappy’s 53 consecutive crossings in the Molokai 6 man canoe race, and his dad Aaron’s staggering body of work he has compiled on all types of watercraft, you realize that this kid has a unique set of genes and that we are going to be hearing his name for a long time” said Vertra’s Marketing Director Keoni Watson
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
Contact:
Keoni Watson
Eric Abbott
Vertra’s Paddlesports Marketing
Verta Athletes Gear up for the 2010 Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race
Honolulu, Hi (July 23, 2010) As anticipation grows for the 2010 Molokai to Oahu paddleboard and standup race, Vertra Suncare paddlesports athletes are tapering down and gearing up for the thirty-two mile open-ocean course. Armed with a stock or unlimited paddleboard, athletes will navigate the Kaiwi Channel and round China Walls as they paddle their way to the finish line inside Hawaii Kai on Oahu.
This year Vertra Suncare will be supporting a talented group of elite athletes paddling in the both the prone and standup divisions.
Prone Paddlers
“We are excited to see our athletes perform well in the channel this year,” commented Vertra’s President Bobby Higa. In the past Channels, Vertra’s athletes have performed top notch. In the 2009 channel crossing Mikey Coté crushed the stock record while winning his second straight channel title. Kanesa Duncan championed the women’s division by capturing her 7th world title. Brian Rocheleau took 2nd overall in the men’s unlimited paddleboard division. In the unlimited standup division Guy Pere and Scott Gamble placed 2nd and 3rd respectively. Jackson English did not race in 2009, but in 2008 he placed 2nd overall, and is considered a contender for the title in this years channel.
The channel conditions are looking favorable with a rising tide and strong winds predicted. The finish line will be at the bathhouse in Moanalua Bay. The front leaders will be rounding China Walls in less than five hours.
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!
::FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE::
Contact:
Keoni Watson
Eric Abbott
wailupeabbott@gmail.com
Vertra’s Paddlesports Marketing
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.
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!
::FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE::
Contact:
Keoni Watson
Vertra’s Paddlesports Marketing
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 8th, 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.
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.
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.
