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 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

Vertra Sunscreens Paddlesports Team in Standup Paddle Magazine

Vertra Sunscreen's Paddlesports Team in Standup Paddle Magazine


Standup Paddle Magazine ran this advertisement in their latest issue of the Vertra Sunscreen Paddlesports Team! Spread across two pages, this picture has been the buzz around town. Enjoy!

Vertra Sunscreen's Paddlesports Team

 

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!

2010 Battle of the Paddle California in less than one week!

2010 Battle of the Paddle California in Less Than One Week!

The 2010 Battle of the Paddle California is predicting record setting numbers this comming Saturday and Sunday at Dohney State Park. The worlds best Standup Paddling athletes will be arrving and preparing for an exciting weekend of elite surf, distance and relay races.

Vertra Suncare athletes Danny Ching and Scott Gamble at the BOP Hawaii Event

Verta Athletes Gear up for the 2010 Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race

• ::FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE::

Contact:

Keoni Watson

Eric Abbott

Vertra’s Paddlesports Marketing

www.vertra.com

Kanesa Duncan

Scott Gamble

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

• Brian Rocheleau
• Jackson English
• Marc Rocheleau
• Mikey Coté
• Kanesa Duncan
• Mitch DeGeus
• Eric Abbott

SUP Paddlers

• Scott Gamble
• Riggs Napolean

“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 7^th world title. Brian Rocheleau took 2^nd overall in the men’s unlimited paddleboard division. In the unlimited standup division Guy Pere and Scott Gamble placed 2^nd and 3^rd respectively. Jackson English did not race in 2009, but in 2008 he placed 2^nd 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!

www.wailupeboys.com

Vertra Team Paddler Scott Gamble gears up for Battle of the Paddle Hawaii

::FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE::

Contact:

Keoni Watson

Eric Abbott

Vertra’s Paddlesports Marketing

www.vertra.com

Vertra Team Paddler Scott Gamble gears up for Battle of the Paddle Hawaii

Honolulu, Hi (June 10, 2010) Vertra Suncare’s team paddler Scott Gamble is geared up to do battle this weekend in the inaugural Gerry Lopez Battle of the Paddle Hawaii Standup Paddling event. Over the weekend Gamble will compete in both elite races as well as the SUP surf team relays on Sunday afternoon. After a strong showing at the 2009 BOP in California, Gamble is excited to race on his home turf in the warm pacific waters of Waikiki.

Equipped with his new Joe Bark 12’6 SUP battle board for the elite surf race and the Bark 17’0 Molokai Unlimited SUP board design, Gamble will prove to be a competitive force in both races. “It is a special event, and I am excited Rainbow Sandals brought the race to Hawaii as well,” Gamble commented. The sports largest cash purse of $25,000 will be up for grabs over the weekend. However, for many athletes including Gamble, it’s not about the money, but rather the opportunity that Rainbow Sandals provides to race the best standup paddlers in the world at one time. The distance race will be held on the nine mile technical Hawaii Kai run. “I am looking forward to the distance race,” Gamble commented. “The elite race is exciting and hectic, but the distance race for me is a better race because that is the type of paddling that got me into standup. Picking a fast course and reading the ocean swells is what paddling is all about!” With strong winds forecasted, having home court advantage for many of the Hawaii local paddlers like Scott will be a big advantage.

Be on the look out for Scott and other Vertra athletes this weekend. Swing by to Vertra and Wet Feet tent to check out the latest in Vertra Suncare products and well as talk with Vertra’s athletes.

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!