Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.-based paddleboard company hosts a five-race series event to celebrate growing water sport activity

Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. (July 21, 2008) – With the generous support of area sponsors, paddlers and volunteers, YOLO Board successfully hosted their first race in the YOLO Board Stand-Up Paddle Series at 6 pm on Oyster Lake in Santa Rosa Beach on Thursday, July 17, 2008 with Team AQUA SURF SHOP paddling their way into first place. Team members included: Kevin Faoutas (team captain), Kyle Lage, JD Lee, Bud Lawrence and

Jeff Derienz. The Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.-based paddleboard company received a big turnout with a total of 10 participating teams and over 150 attendees.

With the help of emcee Mike Sturdivant of BlueMountainSurf.com entertaining the crowd, the two-hour long event closed with a spectacular sunset over Oyster Lake and many smiling faces with people already buzzing with conversation about the next race.

“There was a great energy at the race that radiated not only from the paddlers but the spectators as well,” said Jeff Archer, co-founder of YOLO Board LLC. “The crowd was made up of every generation – from children to grandparents – enjoying the festivities together from the bridge. There was also a nice balance at the race with the introduction of female paddlers represented by TEAM YOLO WOMEN, TEAM WALTON WAHINIS and TEAM KITTY HAWK KITES.”

The winning teams included: 1^st place, Team AQUA SURF SHOP; 2^nd place, Team YOLO MEN; 3^rd place, Team RYNO. Participating teams included: Team DESTIN HEALTH & FITNESS CLUB, Team AQUA SURF SHOP, Team YOLO WOMEN, Team YOLO MEN, Team RYNO, Team SURFRIDER, Team SUNSET BEACH SERVICES, Team ROV, Team KITTY HAWK KITES and Team WALTON WAHINIS.

The teams will continue on and compete in the second race slated for Thursday, July 31^st in the gulf located in front of Majestic Sun in Miramar Beach as they vie for the champion title “YOLO Board Cup Series” to be awarded after the final race on September 18^th. Race dates (weather permitting) are: July 31^st, August 14^th, August 28^th & September 18^th.

For those interested in forming a team of their own or joining a team as a single paddler, please contact Jeff Archer at 850.496.7286 or jeff@yoloboard.com to sign up.  A one-time race entry fee is $150 per team.  Free signature race series t-shirts will be provided for each participating team member and YOLO boards will be available for use at each race event.

 

The YOLO Board Stand-Up Paddle Series is made possible by the generous support of the following sponsors: Co-sponsors – KIALOA, DESTIN REAL ESTATE COMPANY, DESTIN HEALTH & FITNESS CLUB, SUN LANDSCAPE, VIE MAGAZINE, BILLABONG GRAND BOULEVARD, WACHOVIA SECURITIES, SMOOTHIE KING and COPY SYSTEMS. Buoy sponsors – AMAVIDA COFFEE, AQUA SURF SHOP, LOVELACE INTERIORS and SOWAL.COM.

YOLO Board is still seeking sponsors to help cover the expense of hosting the race series.  Contact Madra McDonald at 850.376.7386 or madra@M-PublicRelations.com for more information.

 

The YOLO Board Stand-Up Paddle Series is free and open to the public. For the latest up-to-date info on the race series including race locations, visit www.yoloboard.com.

About YOLO Board

Founded by business partners Tom Losee and Jeff Archer in 2006, YOLO Board LLC is a locally owned hybrid-style stand-up paddle board (SUP) company based in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. Aptly named for the mantra, “You Only Live Once,” the company has quickly gained the reputation along the Emerald Coast and beyond as the custom paddleboard of choice. The company manufactures two types of boards: the individually hand shaped “Original” YOLO is 12 feet long and 31 inches wide and was designed for all conditions; and the YOLO Yak, a hybrid board which features a front bungee tie-down system, molded-in tri-fins, foam traction pad and front and rear handles. Designed as a full adventure board, the YOLO Yak has a recessed deck to facilitate better stability for fishing, crabbing or beginner surfing. Rentals, lessons, corporate and team building packages and a complete array of YOLO accessories are available. For more information, please call 850.622.5760 or visit www.yoloboard.com.

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