HINT Water is Clear and Simple.

I am happy to make known officially that HINT Water would love to sponsor me for the 2012 Stand Up Paddle Racing season.

The idea behind Hint is simple: pure water, nature's original refreshment, accented with a hint of natural flavor. No sugar, no artificial sweeteners: Hint is a refreshing alternative to sodas, juice and other sweetened drinks and it tastes great.

As a type 1 diabetic and an Elite Stand Up Paddle Racer it is so important that I stay hydrated while I train and during my races. Hint is perfect for this purpose! I can drink HINT and not have to worry about my blood sugars going through the roof. During my longer races I can ingest a specific measued amount of carbohydrate mixed with HINT and it's all good. Thanks HINT for something that works!

I look forward to a long and successful relationship with HINT.

http://www.drinkhint.com/

2011 Ta-hoe Nalu Paddle Festival - 6MI STAND UP PADDLE ELITE 14'

The main event of the year happened this August 13 & 14 on the shores of North Lake Tahoe.

The Main Event of the Year

2 days of events for all ages & skill levels

SUP / Prone / OC 1 Divisions......$ 20,000 i cash & prizes

Learn to Paddle from a Pro - the Ta-Hoe Nalu SUP Experiance

FUN / FAMILY / FRIENDS

Erik Nordskog of On It Pro was hooking the Hobie 14' up with Xtreme Cream, a high performance bottom coating.

Throwing the Shaka prior to race, so stoked to be a part of this event!

Moments before for the start, last couple of words of encouragement with Elite womens paddler Suzy Strazzulla.

Love this Photo...many of which were taken by my good friend and fellow paddler John R. Goodman.

And were off!

This is awesome, we are all bunched together going into the first bouy turn. That is South Lake Tahoe in the distance. Middle of August and there is still snow on the mountains. You gotta love it!

Back on the tail and pullin' hard trying to get the Hobie 14' around the bouy.

Getting ready to set my paddle, feeling the effects of the altitude.

Look at the clarity of the water! I am pulling some water here, trying to catch the guys in front of me. This picture was taken by Kristin Thomas, an increadible WaterWomen. Kristin raced earlier in the 5 mile open race where she took 1st place!

Coming off the last bouy turn and heading into the finish.

As I hit the beach at the finish, no matter what place I am in I always try and finish hard!

That sand is feeling really heavy. And you want to look like it's no big deal...there are hundreds of people watching!

Immediately after the race talking with Suzy. You can see by the look on my face water and air.....good thing.

Me and Talia Gangini. She was right behind me on the 3rd lap and the final lap. I was determined to hold her off and not get passed. Your probably thinking, "come on Paul she only a young girl". Talia just raced in the Molokai 2 Oahu 32 mile paddleboard race last month where she placed 2nd in the female unlimited class! This girl can paddle.

Group photo after the race. This group consists of pretty much the fastest SUP racers in the world, both men and women. I was increadibly lucky to have had the oppurtunity to paddle and race against them in Tahoe.

6 MI. STAND UP PADDLE ELITE 14' RESULTS

22nd place Paul Zacharias M 47 Coronado, CA. 14' Hobie

43:02

On the Road - Destination Lake Tahoe....

I started off on my journey up to Lake Tahoe to compete in the 2011 Tahoe Nalu Paddle Festival with the sun coming up over the Mojave desert.

US 395 follows the valleys along the eastern edge of the Sierra.

Three Plus breaks up the monotony of the long drive.

Heading out of the desert and up into the mountains. US 395 traverses the entire length of the Owens Valley.

The highway finally passes Mono Lake.

Mono Lake and Me!

The East Walker River.

Nevada - Topaz Lake is where US 395 leaves California.

The east shore of Lake Tahoe.

After driving all day, I was finally heading down the west shore when I got this crazy idea to run to the top of Eagle Rock. Take a look at the video....Ouch! But hey, anyone who as ever taken the short hike to the top of Eagle Rock....so worth it. The views are spectacular!

I continued down the west shore with the moon rising over the lake.....final destination my friends house in Homewood.

Things are looking Up! Up in Lake Tahoe...2011 Ta-Hoe Nalu

I am getting ready to go up to Lake Tahoe and compete in the Quicksilver Watermans Collection Ta-Hoe Nalu Paddle Festival August 13-14, 2011. This will be fun, I spent many years living in North Lake Tahoe and absolutely love it up there!

I just got off the phone with a very good friend Brian Parker who I will be staying with. He is an amazing person, originally from Illinois and moved to Tahoe from Colorado. This guy is so filled with Aloha...it's crazy! We used to work construction together and hang out. He is the one that turned me onto climbing. He helped me pack my stuff when I left Tahoe for Hawaii. I have missed hanging out with him and his awesome outlook on life. It will be good to get together and catch up on old times and new. Brian and his daughter Olivia....she's adorable, can't wait to meet her!

Getting ready for my paddle...full on stoked!

Started out grey and overcast.....

Finished in the bright and sunny California skies!

Hennessey's SUP & Paddle Board U.S. Championships - 11th place SUP Stk. overall, 4th in age group

This was the hotel my friend Mike Rauber and I stayed at the night before the Hennessey's SUP & Paddle Board U.S. Championships. Accommodations on a budget.

I eventually would finish the 9 mile race, but nowhere's near where I wanted. I had not felt that great all week long leading up to race day. My blood sugars were all out of wack pre-race, definately felt like I was dragging bones the entire race. And I had to drink every last bit of the supplement that was in my Camelback just to make it to the end. Still no excuse, just part of racing and being a diabetic

The after party was fun but bitter sweet.

The results. I was frustrated, finishing behind Mike Richards and Billy Kho. I had beat these guys in previous races. But thats's the way it goes sometimes. Mike and Billy are both excellent paddlers and deserve the win.

I did get a laugh at the huge pair of shorts that came in the goody bag, the jersey was cool though.

But as lady luck would have it, the results were posted and I was absolutely stoked to see that I had some how squeaked out a good enough finish to qualifly for the WPA World Championships of Paddling to be held in Hermosa Beach, Sept. 17, 2011.

2011 HENNESSEY'S-WPA U.S. PADDLE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Qualified for World Championship				Pre-Qualified for World Championship
OFFICIAL RESULTS- SUP SIZE/GENDER
SUP Stk Men		Qualified				Pre-Qualified
Position	Boat #		Paddler(s)		Boat Make/Model		Final
1	135		VELA, Anthony		SUP Stk 39U Men		1:37:41
2	65		WILD, Jay		SUP Stk 39U Men		1:38:41
3	152		MORRISSEY, Dane		SUP Stk 39U Men		1:39:58
4	85		ROWAN, Joe		SUP Stk 50+ Men		1:41:57
5	102		HICKMAN, Trent		SUP Stk 39U Men		1:42:44
6	66		COLIN, McPhillips		SUP Stk 39U Men		1:42:50
7	91		RING, Karl		SUP Stk 40-49 Men		1:43:50
8	109		RICHARDS, Michael		SUP Stk 40-49 Men		1:46:46
9	146		PASCOE, Brent		SUP Stk 39U Men		1:47:30
10	34		KHO, Billy		SUP Stk 40-49 Men		1:48:22
11	139		ZACHARIAS, Paul		SUP Stk 40-49 Men		1:48:48
12	154		CURRIE, Grant		SUP Stk 39U Men		1:49:08
13	111		LOMBARDO, Jeff		SUP Stk 39U Men		1:50:43
14	172		SWANECAMP, Tom		SUP Stk 40-49 Men		1:54:07
15	32		FLORES, Ernest		SUP Stk 39U Men		1:54:45
16	14		PIGHINI, Mark		SUP Stk 50+ Men		1:55:45
17	137		RAUBER, Mike		SUP Stk 40-49 Men		1:55:58
18	121		CARANTO, Todd		SUP Stk 40-49 Men		1:56:39
19	138		FELIX, Larry		SUP Stk 40-49 Men		1:57:32
20	117		WALLFESH, Gerry		SUP Stk 40-49 Men		1:58:36
21	58		DOWDEE, Kevin		SUP Stk 40-49 Men		1:58:43
22	134		RANKELL, Nik		SUP Stk 40-49 Men		1:59:32
23	68		TYSKA, Brian		SUP Stk 39U Men		2:03:09
24	30		BROSTOWICZ, Allen		SUP Stk 40-49 Men		2:04:53
25	95		MONTGOMERY, Dana		SUP Stk 40-49 Men		2:11:18

• Santa Monica Pier Paddle and Ocean Festival - 4th place SUP Stk. overall, 2nd in age group

On the beach getting ready for the start.

And were off and paddling.

Felt really good during the race. The hard work paid off.

Post race talk with Dave Boehne and Chance Fielder of team Infinity.

Recieving my 2nd place award with Joe Rowan, who took 1st. Even though I finished 4th in the 12'6 SUP Stk. division I wasn't sure if this would allow me to qualify for the WPA World Championships. But I was really happy with the results.

My 2nd place award the "Bowl".

John R. Goodman and I on the Santa Monica pier with our "Bowls".

Post race celebration, again with the "Bowl". And for all of you wondering about the cold frosty adult beverages, it's light beer. Far less carbohydrates than regular.

Later that night at Posidon SUP in Santa Monica. These bowls really were an intregal part to the entire after race celebrations. And I'm sure that was a low carb. drink I was consuming.