Master SUP Results 1st Day

Master SUP Finalists

 Gannon, Goodwin, Jens Baur and John Holzhall advance to finals in hard fought heats...large surf expected for tomorrow's finals (Enquentro beach Park)

 "anyone could take it tomorrow" says Gordon Gannon

The Germans paddled strong, the Swiss paddled well and the North Americans had the conditioning.

Four remain, "any One Could win it!" says Gordon Gannon who advanced to the finals.
"It was rough conditions but plenty of waves" said Gannon who took first place in both his heats today.

Jens Braur, John Holzhall,  Glenn Goodwin also advanced to the final heat which will be at 7am tomorrow Saturday morning.


Pictured below from top to bottom:
"McLoven" Gordon Gannon cuts back Left
"Maui John" Holzhall looks right for a head dip
Glenn "Chico" Goodwin tucks to make the section

None of the finalists are from the DR, but they all live, work and paddle there...some for more then 20 years, others not so long.

The Germans paddled 'Strong' with Jens Baur as the only German to advance. Marcus Bohm paddled well and was competitive but failed to advance.

The Swiss had good strategy, Solo Slivinsky did well in his first heat but ran out of gas in the later heat and failed to advance.

American John Holzhall passed his first heat and won the second heat to advance to the finals.

Canadians Gordon Gannon and Glenn Goodwin advanced through to the finals putting Canada in good position to win it all tomorrow.
 

Opening Party for SUP Masters

Kick Off Party Tonite at Nikki Beach featuring DJ ONNO and Clarisse
Albrecht. 

"As the US celebrates Thanksgiving, people in the
Tropics Celebrate Ocean Culture and the return of Big Waves...traditionally the Sub-Tropics and Tropics got great surf on Thanksgiving, Christmas and especially New Years..." says Maui John "over the years the 'Ocean Culture' has grown and evolved dramatically, so has the tradition of Giving Thanks for all the finer things in Ocean Living.

"Tonites party will be as warm and welcoming as any Thanksgiving dinner. Instead of turkey, it's OC tradition to eat Sashimi along with as much of the fresh fish, lobster, beverages and herbs that Ocean Living has to offer."

 Thanksgiving has roots that predate the US and Canada, Ocean Culture is not so old.  Duke Kahanamoku traveled internationally between Olympic competitions, and after retiring from the Olympics,  to give Swimming and Surfing exhibitions. It was during this period that he popularized the sport of surfing, previously known only in Hawaii.  His surf exhibition at Sydney's Freshwater Beach on December 23, 1914 is widely regarded as the 'birth' surfing in Australia

 The numbers of watermen were small and a bit on the 'outcast' side, this is really how the 'Ocean Culture' developed into it's own. Now 'Watermen'  and the 'lifestyle' are creeping into the mainstream. People are realizing 'Ocean Culture' for what it is...tonites Party at Nikki Beach displays the best of Ocean Culture. 

 

 

Big Surf for SUP Master?

"Look for GOOD surf to Hit  SUP Masters ... 

"The next storm front has the 'North to South' movement required to displace our Trade winds and bring large surf Saturday." says Maui John.  "The swell should peak in 120 hours or Saturday Morning..."

How do you figure this?

"this current storm is giving us good swell, but a loto wind because this storm is heading way up north...like Greenland...allowing the trade winds to rage" says Maui John "the next storm will hit way down south like Central/North Africa. This southerly movement should displace the Bermuda High that gives the us our trades winds." 

So what kind of Surf do you expect for the SUP Masters?

"...could be head high on Friday morning...should be well over head Saturday dropping a just bit on Sunday..." 

What about the wind?

"...traditionally this type of storm will cut our trade winds, but does have the possibility of bringing a 'clearing wind' or 'Westerly'...but my guess is that we will have big surf in the am with off shore winds..." 

 

If big surf hits, how will the judging work?

"...if the swell hits and the wind holds off, our Big Wave Challenge will happen at the same time as SUP Masters. The scoring for the Big Wave Challenge is a "Three Point Must System" 

- 1 point for "Best Wave"

- 1 point for the first one to 5 waves (if surf is 9' +) or first to 10 waves (if surf is - 9' )

- 1 point for "Best Photo"

SUP Masters is using the Surf Metric System

- 1 point for a catching wave and then .whatever for expression on the wave

- best 2 waves count

Who has the advantage?

"...good question...Encuentro can only handle medium high surf, so if it gets really big...it will be a 'Burly Man' contest...who ever can punch out of a closed out channel the best will have a good shot win it all".... says Maui John

SUP Masters is Crown Jewel for Winter Storm Season

Masters Surf Reunion 2010

Thursday, November 25 at 6:00am - November 28 at 5:00pm

Playa Encuentro

http://www.masterssurfreunion.com/

"...this is a must win event.." says Gordon Gannon "...this event has all the photographers and it's held at an easy place to shoot (Encuentro)..." says Gannon who is favored to win the event. "...I hope to win 'Best Photo' and the event...this would put me in good position for the rest of the season..." says Gannon.

"...this is a big event...one person could win  'Best Photo' and the event, this will put them in a good position to win the Winter Season which ends New Years Eve 2010..says 'Maui John'.

Why is Gannon favored to win even though he has never won 'Best Photo' and did not do well in the 2010 Hurricane Season?

" Gordon is the favorite mainly because he's training the hardest. He is paddling the most and cross training daily" says Maui John.

...but Marcus Bohm has won consecutive "Best Photo" awards and you just dominated the 2010 Hurricane Season.

"ya, but Marcus just broke his main board...hard to win anything  without your main board...as for our SUP National Championship, that is a different deal...it is a Big Wave Challenge, it only happens when the surf is 10' or bigger.  Marcus and I are fortunate to be able to ride every large swell...we got  our priorities straight." says Maui John 

So who do you think will win?

"I think Marcus is out because of gear, Glenn Goodwin is a long shot because he just returned to the island on the other hand, he knows the spot, he is fresh and took the last SUP event at Encuentro. Gordon is in good shape and he has been training at Encuentro...he will be hard to beat. The only chance I have is if its big...really big...10' and over is my advantage..." say Maui John

here is more about the event :
 

The party starts with a "sign up" at  Nikki Beach, Playa Cabarete on Thursday, 25th of November...the wave riding starts Friday morning at 7am on Playa Encuentro.

Last year the surf started out good and became massive. This year we wish for the same.

 This event is a reunion of all the various people who have surfed the DR as well as local Dominicans of past and present generations. The goal is to promote and celebrate Ocean Culture and to keep the tribe together. This is an event for all those interested in wave riding and beach living.  

Competition:

The categories are many and varied, including SUP Master, Grand Master, Retro, Expression, and even Grand Kahuna.

 Judging

Waves standard system

Prize money:

There is no prize money, the thinking is that 'Purses' bring out whinners and moaners, this event is a celebration of Ocean Culture and the art of wave riding.

Entry fee:

Contestants only  pay $18usd or RD$ 600.00. Every competitor that inscribes and
participates will receive a bounty of gifts and prizes. 

Parties

Thursday November 25th 6pm Nikki Beach Playa Cabarete

 Saturday November 27th 6pm at Maraja Playa Cabarete

 DJ's and Rock n Roll bands will be on Playa Cabarete, Thursday 25 to Sunday November 28, 2010.


SUP Master

The Winner of this event will earn points towards the Dominican National Paddle Board Championships - Winter Season 2010 - This event will count as 1 storm towards point total. The "Best Photo" award will also most likely be got at this event.

Huge Surf for National SUP title Winter 2010

Maui John takes 1-0 lead in Winter Storm Season 2010

"The storm came straight down the East Coast of North America. It brought Huge North Swells with it. The entire East Coast and Carribean got massive surf." said "Maui" John Holzhall.

"Our Hurricane season brought great surf and we just rolled right into the Winter Storm pattern..." said Gordon Gannon

Maui John was able to find a channel to get out easily, he caught the mandatory 5 waves to take the Big Wave Title on both Saturday and Sunday. His lead is now 1-0 going into the SUP Master contest starting November 25th.

"...i'm tired of getting punched in the head on North Swells...I finally found a 'Jaws' like channel and a nice big left..." said Maui John.

Rumor has it that you paddled out dry?

" yeap...the channel was working like a dream...still can't believe it...I was dry for the first 5 waves on Big Sunday"... said Maui John.

The North Swell did take it's toll...veteran Water Man Marcus Bohm, went into the water with one 10'6" Naish, he came out with two 5'3" Naish boards.

Hurricane Season 2010 over?

The 2010 Hurricane Season is not officially over, but it looks like Marcus Bohm will win 'Best Photo" and   "Maui John" Holzhall will wrap up First Place for Big Wave Riding impressively winning:

1. Hurricane Igor

2. Tropical Storm Bonnie

3. Tropical Storm Colin

4. Hurricane Danielle 

5.  Hurricane Earl 

 

These and many more storms pounded the North Shore of the Dominican Republic 2010. Many consider Hurricane Season 2010 to have been the "Best SUP Season" ever.  More paddlers enjoyed the action this year, but few Paddle Boarders could handle the Massive North Swells when they arrived. Maui John, Gordon Gannon and Marcus Bohm were the few who were able to ride these massive waves. 

Marcus Bohm scored 1st place for the coveted "Best Photo" of the Hurricane 2010 Season.

Congratulations to both Marcus Bohm and Maui John Holzhall for their wins in the 2010 Hurricane Season.

Let the 2010 Winter season begin!

Above Marcus Bohm goes right at Encuentro during Hurricane Igor, Photo by Gino Lopez.
Below,  Hurricanes Igor - Earl and Danielle