Connor Baxter wins the 12’6” Elite Race, Bart de Zwart wins the 14” Elite Race at Hilo Bay, Hawaii.

Race at Hilo Bay – Big Island Hawaii

At the last moment, Bart and I decided to fly over to Hilo for the 3-mile race that was part of the Standup World Tour going on over there.

Bart and I shipped our boards over and Michael, owner of Tokunaga Store and the Starboard dealer in Hilo, picked our boards up and stored them until we arrived on Saturday morning.

After we picked up our boards, we went to the beach and checked out the event site and said hi to everyone. Later on we went out for a paddle to get warmed up for the race the following morning. After our warm up paddle in Hilo Bay, we went back to the hotel and showered up for the 2010 World Tour awards. There was a huge dinner with all kinds of good food, great music, and entertainment. When everything was over we went back to the room to dream.

The next day we checked out of our hotel and packed the car up and drove down to the event site for the race. Once I was checked in and warmed up – I was ready to go!

There were about 30 competitors lined up on the beach for the start. There were 2 divisions – 12’6” and 14’. I was on my 12’6” Starboard Race and Bart was on his 14’ Starboard Race.

When the horn blew I hit the water like a bat out of hell. Got a great start. It was a 3-mile race around a triangle course. I was second to the buoy behind Bart on his 14 footer. By the end of the first lap Aaron Napoleon caught up to me on his 14 footer. Aaron and I stayed together and Bart was a little in front. By the last lap I gave it all I had and got third overall on a 12’6 behind the two 14 footers, and first in the 12’6” class.

It was a great time being over there and I can’t wait till next year.

Mahalo to the Hilo guys for all their help – Michael Tokunaga, Serrell Kanuha, Darrick Ida, Laron Kageyama – to name a few!!!

And, thanks to my sponsors for all their support – Starboard, Nike 6.0, Dakine, EFX Technology, GoPro Cameras, On It Pro, Waterman’s Sunscreen, Sunrite Maui, Kaenon Sunglasses, SIC and Hi-Tech Sports.

Aloha – Connor Baxter

===================

Mahalo to Serrell Kanuha from Hilo, for contributing these photos of the event.

Aaron & Riggs Napoleon, Connor Baxter, Matt Becker, Bart de Zwart & Jenny Kalmbach – before the race



Connor & Serrell (the photographer!!)



Start of the Race (Connor in the red jersey quickly hitting the water):



Start of the Race (Connor in the red jersey up and going):



Hilo Bay – heading to the second buoy:



Bart, Connor & Aaron in the top 3 positions:



Connor & Aaron – dueling it out once again!!:



Connor – Happy with his 1st place 12’6”Division result – 3rd place overall:

After the race:

Hilo – site seeing after the event!!!

Related Posts :

Bellingham's SUP Demos

Shweitzer & Poynter progress to round 3 of th...

Congratulations Nikki Gregg and Dan Gavere fo...

Sean Poynter’s Rider Profile Interview