Vertra Paddlers Dominate 2011 Steinlager OC1 World Championships

Vertra Paddlers Dominate 2011 Steinlager OC1 World Championship

Kai Bartlett

Lauren Bartlett

The 2011 Steinlager OC1 World Championship was a success for the Vertra Paddlesports team. Lauren Bartlett one of Hawaii's most decorated paddlers captured her 7th World Title while her husband Kai earned his 5th. Danny Ching the 2010 defending Champion placed 2nd overall with Scott Gamble taking 6th. "It is great to see our team guys performing well, they train hard all year long and it is nice to see their hard work pay off" commented Eric Abbott, Vertra Sunscreen's paddlesports marketer. The conditions this year held light winds, with Kai finishing in 4 hours and 15 min.

Danny Ching

Scott Gamble

Kai Bartlett:  4:15:35

Danny Ching: 4:17:42

Scott Gamble: 4:27:27

Lauren Bartlett: 4:43:57

More results: click here

Photos: Makai Magazine:

Vertra: Elemental Resistance’s Paddlers back in the Kaiwi Channel

::FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE::

Eric Abbott

Vertra: Marketing

www.vertra.com 

Scott Gamble

Kai Bartlett

Vertra: Elemental Resistance’s Paddlers back in the Kaiwi Channel

Honolulu, Hawaii (April 10^th, 2011) Vertra Elemental Resistance Sunscreen is proud to announce their 2011 Steinlager Kaiwi Channel OC1 World Championship team. This year defending world champion Danny Ching and Lauren Bartlett will be back to defend their titles. Kai Bartlett, four- time world champion and Scott Gamble will be rounding out the Vertra squad.

On April 17^th Lauren Bartlett, Danny Ching, Kai Bartlett and Scott Gamble will be heading to Molokai to compete in the 32-mile open ocean course navigating one of the most dangerous waterways in the world. The race should take the paddlers between 3.5- 4 hours to complete. The event starts from Kaluakoi on Molokai and finishes inside Moanalua Bay on Oahu

Danny Ching, last years Champion will be back this year to defend his title. After a successful season on the Standup Paddling racing circuit, Ching has not missed a beat paddling the OC1 either.  Dominating the California Racing Series and winning the 2011 Koa Nui Championships last month, Ching is looking to be as tough and competitive as ever racing his Kamanu Composite OC1.

Lauren Bartlett, Hawaii’s most decorated canoe paddler will be heading back to the Kaiwi Channel once again to defend her World Championship Title. This year Bartlett will be racing on her new Kai Wa’a Scorpius XS OC1 boat. “I am excited to be back in the Channel again,” commented Bartlett “hope for strong winds and fast times.” This channel is no stranger to Bartlett as she has crossed and won this event numerous times on all types of paddling crafts. Whether she paddles an OC1, Surfski, Outrigger Canoe or Paddleboard, Bartlett seems finish on top of the field.

Kai Bartlett, 4-time World Champion will be back in full form for this years Channel crossing competing on his new line of Kai Wa’a Scorpius OC1 boats. Kai will be looking forward to strong winds and rough ocean conditions.

Scott Gamble (3^rd overall ’09 & ’10 Molokai to Oahu SUP Unlimited) will be racing this event on an OC1 for his first time. “I’ve paddled the channel on a SUP board and Outrigger Canoe, it should be a fun challenge to tackle this course on a OC1” explained Gamble. Gamble who is becoming a jack-of-all-trades in the paddling world is looking to make his mark in the Channel this year paddling on his Kai Wa’a Scorpius XM OC1.

For more information event website: www.paahawaii.com

Lauren Bartlett

Danny Ching

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/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 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 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

Hawaiki Nui Va'a 2010 Results- Team Hawaii

Team Hawaii

Hawaiki Nui Va'a 2010 Results- 
Team Hawaii

Angie Giancaterino Commocean www.commoceanhi.com Hawaii paddlers had a successful showing during the 19th annual Hawaiki Nui Va'a paddling race last week in Tahiti. Team Hawaii took sixth place overall, in the three-day grueling stage race starting in Huahine and finishing two days later in Bora Bora. The all-star team, was hand-selected based on the paddling accomplishments of the previous year and included Maui's Kai Bartlett, Kekoa Cramer, Tyson Kubo and Mael Carey, Oahu's Patrick Dolan,  Jimmy Austin and Mike Judd, the Big Island's Andrew Penny and Thibert Luissa and California's Danny Ching. The three stages totaled over 80 miles over three-days and four islands, ending with the tolling 37 mile iron race from Teha'a to Bora Bora, in which Team Hawaii placed 4th, just minutes behind Molokai Hoe winner Shell Va'a.   Also racing from Hawaii was Team Kamanu who finished 42nd overall and HVA junior boys who finished 21st. Team Hawaii Wahine finished fourth in the women's 17mile iron race around Raiatea, while  Team Bradley finished fifth.   Team Hawaii: Day 1: 5th place (3:25:59), 5th place overall Day 2: 14th pace (2:01:28), 6th Place overall Day 3: 4th place (4:18:39), 6th Place overall Total: 6th place overall (9:44:16) Full Results: Comoceanhi.com/Results 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 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!

Team Hawaii in Tahiti for annual Hawaiki Nui

Team Hawaii in Tahiti for Annual Hawaiki Nui

Team Hawaii from 2008

Team Hawaii landed in Tahiti a few days ago for another crack at the annual Hawaiki Nui race. A prestigious race held in the Leeward islands of Tahiti. The event is a three stage canoe race starting on the Island of Huahine. From Huahine athletes will race to the island of Raiatea. The final leg will begin on Raiatea and end on Bora Bora. Canoe paddlers will navigate roughly 80 miles (130km) over three days. Racing beings on Wednesday.

Hawaiki Nui Race Course

Team Hawaii Mens team is:

Kai Bartlett

Mike Judd
Andrew Penny
Mael Carey
Thibert Luissa
Patrick Dolan
Jimmy Austin
Kekoa Cramer

Team Bradley Wahine is:
Lauren Bartlett
Andrea Moller
Kristin Foster
Noe Auger
Charisse
Dane Ward

Note the women will only race Day 1 of the Hawaiki Nui Canoe races which is approximentally 18 miles (29km.)

For all up to date information regarding the Hawaiki Nui race check the Vertra Facebook, Twitter, or Blogspot at the links below.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/VertraElementaResistance
http://vertrapaddlesports.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/VertraSuncare

Official Race website is:  http://www.hawaikinuivaa.pf/

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



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!

Team Primo Takes 5th at the 2010 Molokai Hoe

Team Primo Takes 5th at the 2010 Molokai Hoe

Clean Sweep by Team Vertra Sunscreen

::FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE::

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!