Distance Race Photo Album

The entire photo album from our amazing event photographer, Emilie Reid, can be found here. Additional photos by Peter Cram found here.

USA SUP National Championships Distance Race Recap

There was no amount of rain that could put a damper on the 5 and 10k races at the Olukai Low Country Boil and USA SUP National Championships in Hilton Head SC. on September 7^th.  While damp, the winds remained calm, and Day 2 went off without complication, but with plenty of competition.

The 10k and 5k races started in waves with Grand Masters, followed by Masters and then Open classes, with 3 minute intervals between waves. The course featured a counterclockwise 4 buoy course with 2 laps for 10k and a single lap for 5k. Both courses featured a “hot lap” at the end before heading back to the finish line. With the multi-wave start, and the arrangement of the course, competitors got a great view of the leaders of the classes and waves in front of them and a real sense of paddling with others of a wide range of abilities. The course felt full without feeling crowded.

In the 10k, rivalries were renewed for Day 2, not the least of which where the women’s open class which feature Stephanie Shideler, Maddie Miller, Seychelle, Maddi Leblanc, and Kim Barnes shoulder-to-shoulder for the better part of mile before forming a draft train that lasted into the 2^nd lap. Approaching the 2^nd buoy, random boat wake gave Seychelle and Kim an advantage. Stephanie Shideler was able to close, but left Maddi and Maddie on the outside looking in. At the finish, Seychelle hung on for the win over Kim Barnes. Stephanie Shidler finished just over 10 seconds later.

The men’s open class lead was established early with Eri Tenario and Jake Portwood gapping the field from the start. At the finish line, Eri opened a 42 second gap over Portwood. Bodie Von Allmen finished a lonely 3^rd.

The men’s masters was dominated by Steve Miller, who finished 5^th overall for SUP. Steven Berstien and Eric Carter Finished neck-and-and for 2^nd and 3^rd. Men’s grand masters was won by Karl Eugster, with Joe Bechtold, and Joel Hjelseth finishing off the podium.

The women’s masters was won by Ruth Ann Steen, followed by Michelle Currier, and Susanne Butler. The Women’s grand masters was won by Kristin Thomas, followed by Debra Szatko, and Kathy McRae in a photocopy finish of the sprints.

5k results and complete results can be found here.

A recording of the day 2 livestream can be found here.

USA SUP National Championship Distance Race Results