by Michael Markunas, Member from the SouthEast and SouthWest Regions

This November saw the launch of the Candice Appleby's first annual Green Buoy Battle sponsored by Hennessy’s. This event is already destined to be classic and a must-race for paddlers of all skill levels. 

Nearly 200 racers took part in two, 3.5 mile battles around the green navigational buoy just outside Dana Point harbor. Racers had a water start from within the harbor for a smooth one mile flat water sprint before turning into the calm waters of the pacific to complete the 1.5 mile loop around the green buoy. California’s friendly sea lions did not disappoint and were enthusiastically playing around the green buoy while racers made their turns. A few racers commented that they even heard the sea lions barking (cheering) them on. After battling around the buoy, racers rode the small bumps back to the breakwater pivoting into the harbor and sprinting the final mile back through flat water and finishing at Baby Beach. After a break for lunch, racers hit the water to do it all over again! 

In the SUP division, Thiago Giacomelli led the men with the fastest combined time, while Soryn Preston took the top spot in the women's division. Jake Keville and Rachael Tilly brought it home for the prone division.  Other notable finishers were Nater Errez & Ava Crellin who had the fastest combined times in the Male & Female surfski division, Danny Ching and Brandi Baksic were the fastest in OC1 and Saul Dobson and Ann Matteson were the fastest V1's.

For an inaugural race, the whole event ran like clockwork. Of course, world champion SUP Racer/SUP Surfer and now outrigger athlete, Candice Appleby, is no stranger to race events but for a first time event, it was impressive how it all came together.  Candice was even able to get long time sponsor of the legendary Pacific Paddle Games, Hennessey's Pub, to sponsor the Green Buoy Battle giving it that legendary feel. The libations and live music at the awards ceremony at Hennessey's later that afternoon made the day's events even more memorable. If you participated, congratulations on being able to say that you were there when it all started, and if you weren't, mark your calendars for next year, this instant classic is one you will not want to miss!