The Loop Race / Coronado 2011 - 2nd place SUP Stk. 12 mile race

The Loop Race in Coronado, CA. Home town race. This was a long one, had to wear a Camelback....which resulted in a little rash! But the sugar was needed. Basically I need to supplement during any race longer than 6 miles or I will definately bonk and go hypoglycemic. This could lead to disasterous consequences. I was really surprised to pull out a 2nd place finish, 1st place on Stk. Sup was Mark Field "Kiwi", who of course finished quite a distance ahead of me. Jonh Ashley was 3rd, right behind me. This was race was awesome....racing this distance on a Stk. SUP is pretty cool!

• Moonlight Beach Paddle and Swim Encinitas Sports Festival 2011 - 7th place SUP Stk. overall, 4th in age group

I was hurting after this one. I must have fallin off my board 5 times. The waves were huge and the wind was intense, so much chop, not to mention that I managed to get cuaght up in the kelp a couple of times. I lost my World Paddle Association (WPA) visor on one of the diggers. No worries though, "that which doesn't kill you, makes stronger"!

• Waterman’s Applied Science Paddle for Humanity (Fun Race) 1st place SUP Stk.

I did the fun race at the Paddle for Humanity-Doheney Beach event, after taking almost one month off due to a displaced rib. Just cruised on this one, but still had a blast!

The weather was amazing!

• Mickey Munoz Mongoose Cup Relay 2011 - 7th place (Team# 4)

7th Place Team# 4 - Diane Wenzel, Raymond Call, Mathew Elias-Calles, Paul Zacharias.

This was so much fun! At one point I found myself paddling next to Jim Terrell of QB Paddles and thought, "what in the hell am I doing". But it was all good, of course he pulled away from me like I was standing still. But I gave it everything I could!

• Dana Pt. Ocean Challenge 2011 - 13th place SUP Stk. overall, 4th in age group

After this race in Dana Pt. I started to think that I might have a chance at actually becoming somewhat competitive. I started to bonk near the end but was only about one second away from placing in my age group. I actually was hanging with a few of the top racers until about one mile from the finish.

• Lanakila Carpet Beach Race 2011 - 8th place SUP Stk. overall, 3rd in age group

This event was held in Redondo Beach, CA. it was so stormy and windy the organizers decided to hold it inside the break wall. I met some really awesome people. One of which was Gene Smith who  owns Tarsan  SUP in Hermosa Beach, CA. He yelled for me to get my paddle in the water before I began to pull. This proved to be invaluable advice, and I managed to squeak out a 3rd place finish in my age group at my second event ever!

My first award from competing as a Stand Up Paddle racer! Hey, I was stoked to recieve my little Tiki bottle opener.

• Hanohano Huki Ocean Challenge 2011 - 20th place SUP Stk. (out of 65 men)

This was my first Stand Up Paddle (SUP) race, it was an incredible experiance. It gave me the confidence I needed to pursue my dream of competing in the world of SUP.