Monday 8 August

Two Premier Race events announced for 2011

The Waterman League is proud to announce two major racing events for 2011 that will lay the foundations for the launch of the 2012 Stand Up World Series (to be launched in September 2011).

• The North Shore Paddle Challenge at Turtle Bay Resort: 14th - 16th October 2011

• The Namotu World Paddle Challenge Fiji, presented by AIr Pacific: 13th - 18th November 2011

The North Shore Paddle Challenge at Turtle Bay Resort

The North Shore Paddle Challenge at Turtle Bay Resort will end the Hawaii and California racing season in style from the 14th - 16th October, 2011. After another incredible year of growth for Stand Up Paddling globally, all eyes will turn back to Oahu's infamous North Shore not only for the start of the winter surf season, but also for the spectacular season closer for the stand up and prone paddle seasons.

The North Shore Paddle Challenge at Turtle Bay Resort will see the world's best paddlers, both Stand Up and prone taking part in both long distance and sprint slalom courses for the Title of North Shore Racing Champion for 2011. The North Shore Paddle Challenge will also showcase and launch the racing format to be used for the Stand Up World Series (to be launched for 2012) and set the standard for all events to follow. This event will allow the North Shore to further strengthen its positioning as a proving ground for the world of ocean sports, as paddlers will ride open ocean swells as the winter season just starts to kick in providing one of the most spectacular weekend's of racing in the sport's history.

The Event

• The event will begin with a welcome drink and registration at Turtle Bay Resort on Friday 14th October from 5pm onwards and a presentation of the event for athletes and media

• The Racing will begin on Saturday at 9am, with the unravelling of the sprint surf slalom course developed by the Waterman League for the most dynamic and exciting racing the world has ever seen in a unique elimination format. This part of the event will be live broadcast online all over world and live on TV in Hawaii on OC16

• Saturday evening will be the Waterman's Concert and celebration dinner, featuring Titus Kinimaka, Ekolu Kalama and Braddah Mel Pu'u

• Sunday will start early with the Na Kama Kai Youth Clinic at 8am, running thru to 12pm, providing underprivileged north and east shore kids with unparalleled opportunities

• There will be a 12pm check in for a 1pm start for the famous downwind run from Turtle Bay Resort down to Haleiwa, taking in the infamous sites of the 8 mile miracle on the North Shore of Oahu, from Kawela Bay, Sunset Beach and Pipeline, to Waimea, and ending at the historic surf town of Haleiwa

• Sunday night will be prize-giving and celebrations, once again at Turtle Bay Resort

Entry and more information

• Entry to both short sprint race and long distance race will be $100

• Entry to just one of the races will be $60

• All entries to include evening meal and VIP passes to all social events

• Sprint Races will be run on stock 12'6 class for SUP

• Downwind Race will be open to all classes and prone

• Overall SUP Result (North Shore Racing Champion) will be for the sprint and 14' class in the downwind race

• Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Special Rates at Turtle Bay Resort:
Make a weekend of it by taking advantage of Turtle Bay's special rates for competitors ($150+tax) and for spectators ($200 +tax). Call 1-800-203-3650 for any bookings, quoting 'North Shore Paddle Challenge Competitor' or 'North Shore Paddle Challenge Spectator' - but please be advised to book early, as the hotel will sell out quickly. Please note that competitors will be required to show their entry registration at check in to be elegible for the competitor rate.

Keep an eye on www.watermanleague.com for the latest from this incredible event and for news regarding the launch of www.standupworldseries.com

Namotu World Paddle Challenge Fiji, presented by Air Pacific

The Namotu World Paddle Challenge will not only be one of the most progressive and dynamic racing events in the history of the sport, featuring both long distance and surf sprint formats, but will also be an exciting celebration of the growth and diversity of Stand Up Paddling, one of the world's fastest growing sports. What's more, the backdrop of the paradise that is Fiji will provide athletes and visitors alike with an unforgettable experience.

The Event

• A youth clinic for the underprivileged youth in Fiji to experience Ocean Sports leading to the culturally driven Opening Ceremony at the InterContinental Resort

• 19 mile downwinder from the InterContinental Hotel at Natadola Beach to Namotu Island Resort: following one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, the steady tradewinds and ideal orientation of the reef will make this one of the most beautiful downwind courses to date, not to mention the beautiful landmarks along the way, such as the infamous Cloudbreak reef

• The Namotu Surf Slalom will be a dynamic and exciting short course that will go in and out of the surf in front of the beautiful Namotu Island Resort providing both thrills and spills for the crowd, the media and the athletes themselves

• The Cloudbreak Surf Exhibition will showcase the magic that Fiji has to offer in the surf, as top athletes such as World Champion Kai Lenny, legends Dave Kalama and Robby Naish and Jamie Mitchell to mention just a few will take on one of the most beautiful waves in the world

• The Musket Cove Fun Day: after all the intense action and competition, the final day of the event will be for all the family, with fun races and relays and a party atmosphere for the closing of this spectacular event

Logistics and Support

Thanks to the support of our presenting sponsor Air Pacific, we are able to offer free board carriage for 12'6 boards to Fiji on all Air Pacific flights as well as a discount on the already low flights, provided that the flights are booked using the following link:  http://www.airpacific.com/worldpaddlechallenge

Special accommodation packages are available through our resort partners ranging from luxury all inclusive accommodation, to lower cost sharing options:

• For the all inclusive stays at the luxury resorts of Namotu Island and Tavarua, contact Waterways travel and quote the Paddle event to benefit from the special rates at both resorts (www.waterwaystravel.com)

• For a lower cost alternative and in particular for groups, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and quote your participation in the Namotu World Paddle Challenge Fiji

• For discounted stays at the InterContinental Hotel at Natadola Beach, especially for the opening weekend and start of the race, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and quote the Namotu World Paddle Challenge

The Event is also supported by Fiji's favorite beer, Vonu, a beer that will be available throughout the event and in particular through all the social events and prize-givings

Entry & Information

The entry fee for this unique event will be US$100, and this will provide athletes with VIP passes to all the social events, entry to all the races, access to the Vonu Beer benefits and much more. All entries should email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it stating the race, your name, where you are from and contact details. Please note, that this race will feature a stock 12'6 class given the limitations for the airlines.

The Namotu World Paddle Challenge Fiji, presented by Air Pacific will be an event to remember and set the stage for an annual SUP pilgrimage to one of the most beautiful spots on earth. We look forward to seeing you there. Keep an eye on www.watermanleague.com for the latest and greatest from the world of Ocean Sports and watch out for the launch of the all new, www.standupworldseries.com