http://battleofthebay.com/

With a variety of race classes and courses, the Regatta and Paddle-a-thon is perfect for paddlers looking to race competitively as well as those who are just looking for a spirited paddling event to support a great cause!

Once again, we will be holding the Paddle-a-thon concurrently with theRegatta! The Paddle-a-thon is much like a walk-a-thon only on water. Paddlers of all abilities are encouraged to recruit family, friends and colleagues to sponsor their paddling miles and in turn support accessible adventures for people with disabilities and inner-city youth.

GREAT prizes awarded at all levels, including kayak gear and ETC swag.

EVERYBODY who raises $3000 or more wins a kayak trip in Baja! (Airfare not included).

Raise the following amounts and you win:

• $300- everything with the Registration Fee plus a single boat rental for the race, lip balm, and entry to one pre-event paddling clinic (Aug 24 or Sept 14; limited space, register early!).
• $500- everything with the Registration Fee plus a double boat rental, lip balm, ETC water bottle & Chico Bag, and entry to one pre-event paddling clinic. For this fundraising level, doubles partners can each raise $250 (for a total of $500) to qualify for free registration and a double boat rental.
• $1000- everything with the Registration Fee plus a boat rental for the race, and a kayaking gear bag.
• $3000 everything with the Registration Fee plus a boat rental for the race and a Free kayak trip in Baja!

All event proceeds go to support Environmental Traveling Companions (ETC), a Bay Area nonprofit organization providing accessible outdoor adventures for people with disabilities and disadvantaged youth since 1972.

Help keep paddling adventures accessible to people of all abilities by registering for the Paddle-a-thon or sponsoring a paddler! Registration is now open. Please click (on the left) to register or call for more information.

• Any board length or style
• Beginners welcome
• More info demosport.com
• Registration on site

At Sup The Bay, we like to race and surf SUPs, in other words we often ride pretty radical boards made of carbon or fiber glass. So testing and paddling an Inflatable SUP is far from the usual for us. Advance Elements sent us the Hula 11 for review about 8 weeks ago. Since then we have tested the Hula in various conditions, lake, small rivers and the San Francisco Bay. The Hula 11 is offered in a very complete package,  it includes: Pump with Pressure Gauge, Hi-Quality Duffel Bag, Repair Kit, Valve Adaptor, 3 Removable Tracking Fins. The price of the Hula 11 is between $700 and $799 depending on the configuration(extra seat, sail,  paddle).

Hula 11 package, bag, pump, board, fins, duffel bag

One of the great thing about the Hula 11 Inflatable SUP is that it can fit in the trunk or on the backseat of vehicle, or even on the rack of a bicycle, or motorcycle. It is easy and fast to inflate, it takes only about 3-5′ and to insert the fins. This is barely more time than unstrapping a board from the roof of a car.

The Hula 11 is stable and surprisingly fast,  it is a fun board to paddle. The Hula 11 can be used as on flat water. When paddling at Castle Lake,  I did multiple laps around the lake and I didn’t notice much difference with a fiberglass SUP. Obviously no need to worry about hitting rocks, branches or docks thanks to heavy-duty PVC. The Hula 11 Inflatable SUP is made of High-Pressure Drop-Stitched material and a double layer of heavy duty PVC Tarpaulin for ultra stiff performance and superior durability. The deck of the board features a large foam traction pad and 7 d-rings for gear tie down, optional kayak seat attachment, and leash attachment.

We specifically liked the D-rings that make it easy to tie-down a bag, fire wood or a strap. The Utility of the board is excellent. The traction pad is very good and while we didn’t try the board surfing, we tried it on the river and it felt very good to have a sure footing. In addition the D-rings are great for attaching a cam-strap and that is very practical when paddling down a creek or for a little one to have something to hold on to.

6 D-rings on the bow

D-ring close-up

Traction foam

The Hula 11 is a must own if want to paddle in a variety of situations, river, lake, mer, some surfing. It is easy to haul around and also no need to worry about durability like a fiber glass board. The Hula 11 is great for families, since the board can be handled by children without worrying about them damaging it. Also on lake or pool the Hula 11 can be used as swimming platform… Also if you are planning to only paddle 10-15 times a year, then the Hula 11 is a board for you.

little feet under straps

bottom and fins

Features

High-Pressure Drop-Stiched material allows for ultra stiff performance.
- Double-Action hand pump with Gauge included.
- Raised board tip increases performance.
- Large traction foam area for improved grip and comfort.
- Double layer outer skin for superior durability.
- Light-weight, Compact, and Durable.
- Hi-Quality Duffel Bag.
- Stainless steel D-rings – 7 total.

Specifications

Model AE1010
Color White/Orange
Length 11’
Width 30”
Weight 23 Lbs. (10 Kg)
Person/S 1
Max.
Weight 250 Lbs. (113 Kg)
Folded Size 19” X 9” X 34”

Naish Stand Up Paddle Boards

When talking about water sports and board sports, there’s a name that resonnate like no others:  Robie Naish. The Windsurfing legend, Kiteboarding pioneer,  Mr Naish has been exploring and pushing the limits of water sports in Hawaii for more than 30 years now. Naish has taken his experience building windsurfer and kiteboards to the fast growing sport of Stand Up Paddle. Thanks to great designs, great shapes and solid constructions, the Naish’s boards are some of the best SUP boards you can get today. And it is no surprise that SUP Champions Chuck Paterson and SUP surfing prodigy Kenni Lanai ride and paddle Naish boards.

The really cool thing about the Naish line is that they offer four different styles of Stand Up Paddleboards, in various length and tops:
• The Glide Series, for flatwater touring and racing.
• The Nalu Series,  all-around long board versatility.
• The Hokua Series, performance short board style SUPS.
• The Mana Series, short wide and stable for easy surfing.

Hokua 9.6"

Mana 10.0" AST

Race board Naish

Nalu 11.4" AST

Supthebay.com now offers the entire Naish line of Stand Up Paddleboards. Boards can be tested and seen at our demo center in Sausalito at Sea Trek. You can then purchase the model of your choice directly from us. In addition in the upcoming weeks we will be reviewing various boards from the Naish line and go more in depth in their riding charachterisics.

Our favorites are the:

• Naish Catalina 12.6″ Carbon race board, $1829. Ideal for racing in flat water or the open ocean. A great board for the money.
• Naish 17’0, $2699. Perfect for taking advantage of the summer winds in the Bay Area or along side the Pacific coast. Hawaii tested!
• The Nalu 11.4″ or 11.6″, $1249. These SUP boards are just amazing flat water paddling, beginners and small wave surfing. We have been riding this board at Sea Trek for almost two years and they rock!
• The Mana 10.0″, $999 (soft top version). If you are going to Bolinas or Santa Cruz and want to start practicing Stand Up surfing, that is the board you need. I would take it too Mexico too!
• The Hokua 9.6″, $1599 (bag included). For the more serious and experienced surfer, carve down the wave without having to get a ride every 15′. Go Stand Up!

All these boards are available for demo and purchase directly from us, you can email, or visit our online shop for more info.

The Almost 4th of July Decker Loop SUP Race, that You Don’t Want To Miss. Join us on Sherman Island near Rio Vista for a fun Decker Island loop race.  6 miles for the pros or a 2 mile short course for the families and novice. Nice crowd, friendly atmosphere and BBQ.

Classes: 6mi Decker Loop Race: Unlimited/ 14’0”/ 12’6”

2mi Fun Race: Surfboard Class *3 boards make a division

When: July 3, 2011

Where: Delta Windsurf and Water Sports Co.

3279 Sherman Island Rd.

Rio Vista, CA 4571

Time: 9:00 am Skipper’s Meeting

10:00 am Start

http://covewatersup.com/preracehappyhour

Race starts 9am
Pre-register at livewatersurfshop.com
Registration begins on site at7:30am
Shuttle service begins 7:00am

Download entry form

June 4th In Oakland, join us for a clinic with Suzie Cooney & Boga Paddleboards.

What you’ll learn in this clinic:

Basic board/paddle knowledge
How to SUP: paddling, turning
Fine tune your stroke
Water safety
How to get stronger for SUP
Build confidence
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About Suzie:

From her home base on Maui Suzie has taught and hosted hundreds of people from around the world and will share with you all her secrets in this special clinic supporting our local chapter of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, to bring awareness to mental health. We’re lucky to be hosting Suzie here in the Bay Area!

Clinic limited to 18 participants | Age 18 and over for the clinic

For more info on Suzie visit Suzie Trains Maui or Stand Up Paddling Fitness.

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Board demos from BOGA PADDLEBOARDS from 10am—1pm:

Now is your chance to try Stand Up Paddle Boarding, the worlds fastest growing aquatic sport. The BOGA team will be available for free demos on our newest line of Stand Up Paddle Boards. Enjoy the water from a new perspective, bring the family, all ages welcome!

Contact info:

Lucija Kordic (lucyland at gmail dot com)
Ben Carroll (ben at calkayak dot com)
Sorry, no refunds since this is a fundraiser for NAMI.

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What to bring:

Sunscreen
Towel
Booties if you need them
Hat
Comfortable clothing – moisture wicking recommended
Hand sanitizer (porta potties!)
Water and powerbars will be provided
Board and equipment rental are included in the price