Stand Up Paddle Board, Yolo Race #2 Report
…Just got in from the stand up paddle board race on Oyster Lake. There was a super crowd gathered again tonight. The lineup was also crowded with more teams entering the mix. Most impressive to me was the strong turnout of 5 all ladies teams, Waterbabes, Yolo Women, Walton Wahines, Kitty Hawk Kites, and my new favorite word to say with a cheesey spanish accent…Yololitas!!! The Yolo Women prevailed, followed closely by the South Walton Jr. Lifeguard team. Third place honors go to those speedy senoritas the Yololitas!
The adult men’s field was also impressive with 8 teams up for the challenge. And a challenge they received as the second heat of racing saw strong headwinds on the outbound leg. The racing was very close with the top three teams finishing within just a few seconds of each other. This week Team Yolo came out on top with Gary Wise hammering in the anchor leg while standing on his recently injured bionic leg. Gary is just in from racing in the Molokai paddle board race in Hawaii this past Saturday. And I’m not kidding about the bionic leg. Unfortunately he was a DNF in Molokai because his re-constructed knee gave way in the strong seas and currents encountered on race day. Second place tonight was earned by Team Aqua (last races winner) and Team RYNO pulled across the line for a close third…only one second behind Aqua.
The racing is getting more interesting as the teams are looking better organized and I have witnessed several teams out practicing together. I predict we will see more tight finishes in the races to come. The next race is scheduled for August 14th at Watercolors. This should prove to be another picturesque spot for a race. The beautifully manicured grounds will also make for a nice post race gathering place. I’m planning on bringing a picnic and some friends and family, hope you do the same!
Don’t miss the Surfrider Beach clean-up this Saturday morning at Ed Waline Park, 9am. Surfrider will supply the trash bags…bring a board, we may have a little bit of this swell still rolling in. And, the next Surfrider Surf movie night will be Saturday August 16th at Club Spinnaker in Panama City beach!
