2011 Hennessey’s-WPA World Paddle Championships

This race is the one I look forward to each year, with Hennessey’s and WPA now making it an even better event.
SUP paddlers had to qualify for this this by finishing top in major regional events, so the field of talent was incredible.
All the top east coasters were here along with a lot of the top international guys and gals.
The total number of elite sup paddlers that attended was a staggering 101.

The course was a triangle consisting of three laps and two+ miles each with a beach start and finish.
The surf was 2 to 3′ +, which made for exciting entries and exits. The starts of different classes were staggered by 2 minutes.
I raced my 14′ ACE, which worked killer for me, because it works so well in choppy mixed up conditions, which we had.
My start was bad, getting stuck behind a group of guys with a four wave set coming. By the time I got to the 1st turn at the boat, I was 2nd to last.

So I had to play catch up, which I passed at least 10 guys in the 1st lap, but now I had to try and catch even faster people.
I managed to stay even, and keep everybody I passed behind me. I ended up 11th out of 31, in the 14′class.

Congrats to Starboard team mates: Connor Baxter 5th place 12 ’6″

Bart De Zwart 7th place 14′
Dan Gavere 12th place 14′
Annabel Anderson 2nd 12′ 6″

Stoked on another great event, with a killer after party!

Next stop BOP, and then two Catalina events, all back to back!

EJ Johnson

Related Posts :

14 year old Arthur Arutkin claims 1st place

Zane Schweitzer is nominated for SUP grommet ...

Dan Gavere and Nikki Gregg Featured in Skiing...

9’0”x 30” CONVERSE