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

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Contact:

Keoni Watson

Vertra’s Paddlesports Marketing

www.vertra.com

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!

Local Boys prepare for US National Team Trials

Dolan Brothers prepare for USA Canoe/Kayak Team Trials

The 2010 USA Team Trials for Canoe and Kayaking take place this Saturday and Sunday at the Olympic Training Center, in Chula Vista, California. The top athletes from around the country will be represented this year, all competing for the top eight spots. Pat and Ryan Dolan from Kailua, Hawaii will be racing individually and as a team in these trials.

The Dolan Brothers have been training all winter in Hawaii in preparation for the USA Team Trials. They arrived back at the Olympic Training Center the first week of April, to reconnect and start training with their teammates from last year. Pat mentioned, “We want to prove that training in Hawaii is good and that we can get on the podium doing it Hawaiian Style.” Hawaii has been the breeding ground for many of the top paddlers in the world. “It’s comforting to train at home with friends and family and support of the Hawaii paddling community,” Ryan added. Through the Hawaii Canoe and Kayak Team (HCKT) Ryan and Patrick have been able to continue their mission to achieve their Olympic Dreams.

Theese trials mark the first round of qualifications for the Dolan Brothers. This weekend Pat and Ryan will be racing individually (K1), in a double (K2) and in a 4-person boat (k4.) Pat commented, “It’s fun to race with other guys…it makes me go harder.” After these trials, Pat and Ryan will be headed off to Europe for the 3 World Cups and the World Championships at the end of August.

Last year the International Canoe Federation (IFC) changed the Olympic racing program by eliminating all 500-meter events and in its place adding 200-meter events. Previously athletes raced 1000 and 500 meter distances. With the new rule change, athletes will have to specialize more as a sprinter in the 200-meter or an endurance based athlete in the 1000-meter races.

The Dolan Brothers are on a mission. To focus the next two years leading up to the London Games in 2012, by making the fastest K4 possible. “We want to win a medal, and I believe we have the guys to do it,” Pat added. Ryan and Pat are excited to get the season underway after a long but successful winter training season in Hawaii. “Were strong and fit,” Ryan added, and were ready to race!

Progression of events:

Saturday April 24th

• 500 meter Heats/Finals (Non-olympic event)
• 1000 meter Heats/Finals
• K4 (4-person boat) Trials

Sunday April 24th

• 200 meter Heats/Finals
• K4 (4-person boat) Trials

www.usack.org/events/2748

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!

Dolan Brothers gear up for 2010 US National Team Trials

After months of dedicated training at home in the Hawaii Islands, Patrick and Ryan Dolan arrived back in Chula Vista, CA in preparation for the 2010 US National Team Trials. These trials are set to begin on April 24th with athletes competing for the top spot in the 200 and 1000 meter Olympic distances. Ryan and Patrick have elected to race together in the two-person (K2) kayak are focused on finishing atop the podium in the K2 1000 meter event. They will also be racing individually in the K1 1000 meter distance as well. April 25th will be the second day of racing in the 200 meter events. As apposed to the 1000 meter events which span just over 3 punishing minutes of racing, the 200 meter event is quick, intense, and holds no room for error. Athletes competing in this discipline have to be flawless from start to finish.

April 24th
500 meter Heats/Finals
1000 meter Heats/Finals

April 25th
200 meter Heats/ Finals

We will be following the Dolan Brothers over the next few weeks, and posting updates and pretrial interviews. Good luck boys!

pics from dolanbros.com