New Boards and New Waves on Maui

Yesterday we got the NEW 2011 Quads in. They not only look amazing but they are also sophisticated. That's why they are called Quad IQ. They have a clever new box system so you can switch out the front and back fins (onshore bigger fins in the front, side shore smaller fins in the front) and even use the board as a twin fin (skatey feel). All the quads come with 6 fins, 4 for a quad set up or 2 for a twin set up.

2011 QUADs fresh, fast and so turny

Yesterday we had another great swell again. Stand up in the morning and windsurf in the afternoon. Pictures below are made by Simone Reddingius find here on facebook if you need a Maui Photographer.

Bart, Hookipa/Lanes, on a Starboard 9'1 Pro

Kai Lenny, Hookipa

Andy not so Happy, Hookipa

Robby Naish Hookipa/Lanes

I am off to South Africa for the german SURF windsurfing test for the next 4 weeks. I will keep you posted.

Last day in the battle of the paddle

The Starboard team descended on Dana Point for the Third Annual Battle of The Paddle in San Clemente California. October 2nd and 3rd saw 863 paddlers and over 10,000 spectators which made for BOP the largest Stand Up Paddleboard event in the world. This year brought out top athletes from every corner of the world to compete. Starboard's team definitely had the US presence; bringing in our top riders from around the world. The riders brought their best physically and mentally and Declan Sacre brought the best boards for them.

Some of the highlights to catch up on; Starboard SUP Team honors go to Bart De Zwart (52:52) in the open race, riding a 14-foot board out paddled and out maneuvered every size of paddleboard out there to get fastest time. "Because there were so many racers (350) they had staggered starts for the unlimited, 14 foot and 12'6. Connor and Zane went on the 12'6 and me on the 14ft." Said Bart. "The start went well with just about 10 racers ahead of me I slowly started to work my way to the front. With so many racers getting around the buoys was a challenge again. Near the finish I only had 2 unlimited racers seconds in front of me but since they started one minute ahead of me I only had to stay close to get the overall. After the last wave ride I finished right behind the 2 unlimited."

15 year old Connor Baxter did Starboard proud coming in 6th overall in the men's elite is definitely amazing. The testing grounds for athletes to push themselves and their equipment to the limit is the Elite Class. This year it was broadcast live to 60 countries and showed the best paddlers worldwide giving their all to go down in history as the Battle of The Paddle Champion. 160 people in this class, 5 miles, 4 laps, and 100 yard beach sprints, make this battle what it is.

5 laps with a little run every lap. Bart with Jacco just behind

A perfect downwinder Starboard video Connor & Bart

Here is our latest Down wind video. Connor and I going from Maliko to Kanaha on our new 12'6 and 14' Surf race. This video shows what downwinders are all about, lot's of surfing down the windswell.
Aloha, Bart

Video by Bill Boyem