Werner Blog

Werner Team Sup paddler Dave Boehne strong at the Hanohano Ocean Challenge.

We thought we new what we were getting when we asked Dave Boehne to join our team, one of the most progressive SUP surfers in the world.  However we are blown away with how strong he has come on in less than a year of training and racing.  Opening the 2012 California SUP season, with a strong field of racers on hand, Dave took a solid 4th place at yesterday's Hano Hano Ocean Challenge in San Diego.  We are really stoked to say that it was the West Coast debut of new Grand Prix race paddle.  (He used a bent shaft M1000.)  Congrats Dave and good luck as you prep for February's Hal Rossof Classic.

 

Photos- 4th Annual Cold Stroke Classic SUP race.

The 4th Annual Cold Stroke Classic SUP race, held at the Blocakade Runner in Wrightsville Beach NC, was an epic event with the highest racer sign up in the events history and the highest winds.  Over 130 competitors took to the water, which seemed to make sense with temps in upper 60's, however they were greeted to some serious wave action and for most the race sustained 38 mile an hour winds.

My hats off to the staff at Coastal Urge, the race organizer, for keeping things number 1 safe and 2 very under control.  (Considering how many racers were falling in the water and how many vendors and spectators were dodging boards and tents flying around on the beach.)  Coatal Urge owner, and Wrightsville Beach local, Jeoffrey Nathan called in some favors and tons of extra buddies were out in boats keeping people safe from the conditions and exhaustion. 

There was a great post race party at the Blockade Runner and the awards ceremony went off with people giving extra cheers, especially for the Recreational classes.  Everyone who finished this race was a winner for sure, it was really tough out there.  Werner Paddles gave away quite a few paddles for winners and we were proud to be there to see them up on the podium.

I wish we had some more race picks but the event was really more about keeping things safe and under control on the beach, nobody really wanted to be pulling cameras out.  You can check out Distressed Mullet for more blogs and some pics as well.  For all the race results check here.  Special thanks to Jason at Carolina Paddle Board Company for hosting the after hours party at their great new shop.  Be sure to check out the Werner Paddles Events Page for up and coming SUP races in your area, we hope to see you on the beach or at the start line!

Photo of the Day. Snow days in the Pacific Northwest.

The Pacific Northwest has been getting hammered with big, unusal, snow storms as of late.  Looks like some folks are enjoying it though and "making" new friends to boot!  Thanks to John Morton of the
Snohomish County Search & Rescue, local to Werner Paddles head quarters, for this fun shot. 

Want to see your pic on the Photo of the Day?  Send it over.

The Grand Prix debuts at the Cold Stroke Classic. Join Team Werner on the NC coast!

If you are anywhere near Wrightsville Beach, NC tomorrow (1/21) be sure to be there to line up to demo the most progressive SUP race paddle ever built, the Werner Paddles Grand Prix.  The 4th Annual Cold Stroke Classic, hosted by Coastal Urge, is going to be a great race for all levels of competitors and a great kick off for our newest paddle. 

Stop by the booth and meet Werner's own Mette Mosquera and Danny Mongno and sign up to race with any of our bent shaft or straight shaft paddles, including the Grand Prix, or plan to demo before or after the race and see the difference for yourself.  Look forward to seeing you there!

New Race Specific SUP From Werner

 
Werner Paddles has developed the first Stand Up Paddle designed from the ground up specifically for training and racing.

The Grand Prix utilizes Werner’s proprietary Performance Core technology to create the lightest weight SUP on the market.  Paddlers can choose between three blade sizes allowing them to match their power and board glide. (S1000: 91 sq. in 18.75 x 7.25 in.) (M1000: 98 sq. in. 19 x 7.75 in.) (F1000: 105 sq. in. 19.25 x 8.5 in.) 

The narrow blade profile allows the blade to travel close to the board for an efficient forward stroke.  The blade to shaft offset has been optimized at 12 degrees which allows for more power at the beginning of the stroke and less lifting of water at the exit.

The Grand Prix will be offed in both Straight Shaft (15.5 oz. $389) and Bent Shaft (18.5 oz. $465).  The Bent Shaft, which is unique to Werner, allows for even greater reach at the catch phase of the stroke and aligns the paddlers wrist to limit fatigue.

A carbon Palm-grip finishes the paddle off for additional weight savings.

“Dealers first got a peak of the Grand Prix Series of paddles at last summer’s Outdoor Retailer trade show and have been clamoring for it since that time.  After further development and testing, the paddles are finally ready.  We are stoked to be shipping the Grand Prix paddles to our dealers begining March 19, 2012,” says Jim Miller, Werner Paddles Marketing Manager. 

Kimberley Expedition Is Underway

Werner is proud to be a part of a great expedition... 9 brave females will embark on a world first expedition, facing Western Australia’s cyclone season to help SAVE the Kimberley.
Here is a quick note from team leader,Tanya Faux, as the team prepares to depart...
It is the morning we are to depart into the wilderness, 5:14am and all I am wear in a singlet and undies! For the first time I have the butterflies and the excitement. I can feel it. I have been waiting for these butterflies to arrive for some time now. These butterflies are like the ones you get when you are a little girl! Strangely enough I haven’t had them till now. I think it is because before and expedition as the leader there is so much to be done, so much to check and recheck that you don't really have any time for your own needs. So they are hear and YES I am excited!!! We are ready!
Last night we sat down as a team to talk about why we really wanted to be hear and our personal goals. We have all committed to pushing our physical barriers to be able to explore as much as possible, for some this is a new experience. We have all agreed that we must have one moment where we will be on the ground laughing, we have all agreed to come back alive! As the leader this has help me form how I will lead the ladies durning the next 30 days. When I push them, when I bering there focus back to why we are out hear. These ladies are all capable and strong, independently minded.
The next 30 days will be simple living with 7 other women, working together to explore the kimberley and it magical rivers. The bonds that will form between us will last for ever. This experience will last for ever. Check back here for more updates as they become available.

 

7th Annual La Ventana Classic, KiteXpo, and Paddle Royale

Our good friend Andrés Santacruz from mexkites.com let us know about a great Kite and SUP Event happening in La Ventana, Baja. The 7th Annual La Ventana Classic, KiteXpo, and Paddle Royale takes place January 15-22, 2012.  If you are lucky enough to get down there be sure to enjoy all of the races and parties in support of the community.  All profits from this event go directly to projects to improve schools and community projects.

Brian Page Is The Big Winner!

Brian Page has won a Werner Whitewater Paddle by registering through QR codes in Kayak Session Magazine ads. His new Powerhouse is on the way!  Here is what Brian has to say about himself... "I started kayaking when I was 12 years old and in the past 6 years I have traveled all over the northeast for kayaking. Most of my time has been spent in the Adirondacks on the Moose, Beaver, and creeks in the High Peaks. I also spend a lot of my time playboating on the Black River, in Watertown, NY, both in the summertime and during the spring melt. I enjoy the adventure that goes with kayaking. Not only on the water but also what happens when I'm not kayaking. Taking trips with friends for a week or even just a couple days and spending that time outdoors and on the water is what has kept me on the rivers." 

Touring Paddle Winner: Dan Montgomery

We have a little contest where you can register to win a Werner Paddle. This quarters touring paddle winner is Dan Montgomery.  Dan has been paddling in the Pacific Northwest region since 2001 as a member of the Mountaineers, the Washington Kayak Club, and the Peninsula Wilderness Club.  Dan is a certified Level 3 Coastal Kayaking Instructor with the American Canoe Association. He has organized and taught a variety of beginner and intermediate level sea kayaking classes since 2002, and served on the Sea Kayak Basic Course committees for the Tacoma and Kitsap branch of the Mountaineers.  His paddling experiences include the Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, the San Juan Islands, and Barclay Sound, BC.  Dan says..."I’ve been active on, in, or around the water for most of my life. I grew up on a river; I swam competitively through high school and college; I was a SCUBA diver for 8 years; I spent a Navy career piloting ships across 5 of the 7 oceans; I drove a charter tour boat in the Seattle area for 7 seasons. Kayaking allows me to venture into many different marine environments and observe the marine habitat with the least amount of intrusion and impact. A kayak affords me the opportunity to watch the birds and mammals in their ‘undisturbed’ state; and I can experience the true nature and energy of the weather, the waves and current, and the surf. Kayaking affords me the best way to connect as directly as I can to almost every aspect of the marine environment."

Werner Team paddler, Dave Boehne, reports from the Gathering of the Tribes.

To all our California fans and family out there we hope you guys scored this weekend because it was classic California with a nice 6ft swell and sunny glassy conditions all day.  Incredible waves for the 2012 Gathering of the Tribes SUP surf contest.  Below Werner Paddle's own Dave Boehne gives us the low down.

Team paddler CD Kinley, ripping his back hand!

"InfinitySUP and Werner Paddle's Dave Boehne and CD Kinley along with Infinity shop warrior Brent Pascoe competed in the Annual "Gathering of the Tribes" Coalition SUP Surf event held at Churches State Beach. Waves were flawless we took advantage!

I (Dave Boehne) took 2nd Place in the SUP final and CD Kinley 3rd... I rode my 7'11" Blurr SUP in the early rounds and switched over to a 8'2" TL for the final and the slightly smaller swell... CD ripped his 7'9" TL all the way to the final. Both stroking hard with our Nitro paddles."

Dave and CD

 

Thanks for the report!  For a few more pics check out Dave's blog here.