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Tons of Aloha at the Hennessey's Stand Up Paddleboading Race @ Redondo Beach, CA |
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By: Nate Burgoyne, Editor
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Saturday, 12 July 2008 |
It was just a few hours ago that I got back from an outstanding stand up paddle / prone paddleboarding event and I couldn't let the day end without thanking everyone for a true display of genuine Aloha. It was an 11 mile race as part of the Hennessey's U.S. Paddleboading Championships series. While I have so much to say about the day and tons of photos to come, in this short post I just want to give a great big mahalo to Chris Koerner, Jericho Popplar, and Buzz Hegerle for making it possible for me to jump in the event. I flew out to California from Hawaii the other day with this idea in the back of my mind that maybe somehow I might be able to get in the Hennessey's Race in Redondo Beach. Low an behold, Chris contacts me to let me know he'd be able to get me some equipment. Because I scheduling, I didn't think I would be able to make it to the race so I told him I probably wouldn't race.
My schedule opened and I knew I would be able to get there. With a 7:30 start time, I called Chris at about 6:15 am to see if he could still help me out. He said he could. I arrived and registered for the race at about 7:05. Legendary women's surfer Jericho Popplar lent me her personal 14' stand up paddleboard. Thanks Jericho, so much. Then we needed a paddle, so Jericho went over to the announcer. Seconds later, he announced over the megaphone, "Attention stand up paddlers. Does anyone have an extra paddle?" Instantly several paddlers responded and started coming over without even thinking twice about it. Buzz Hegerly ran across the beach and up the hill to his car and ran back with a paddle. Thanks brother.
Thanks to everyone for making the event possible for a stoked stand up paddlerfrom Hawaii. It was truly and awesome display of true Aloha. Mahalo my friends.
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