Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. (September 22, 2009) – YOLO Board LLC announces that $11,250 was raised at the YOLO Board Seaside Celebration on Saturday, September 19^th in Seaside, FL to benefit 18-year old Destin resident Holly Burke and 28-year old South Walton resident Jason Thompson.  Holly is battling a rare aggressive melanoma and Jason is fighting a rare form of leukemia.  The all day celebration included morning paddleboard races on the Gulf, a silent auction, a YOLO Yak giveaway, and a concert from the popular Gulf coast group HERITAGE.  Proceeds will be divided equally among Holly and Jason’s respective charities.

“The outpouring of support from our community for this two young people was absolutely amazing,” Jeff Archer, co-founder of YOLO Board LLC.  “Everything about the celebration was perfect, from the weather to the race participants to the many volunteers and area businesses whose donations made the event possible.  The generosity shown by everyone that day is proof that we live in a very special place.”

September 5th ,Holland – Hobie paddlers Byron Kurt and Xavier Masdevall Garçon have finished atop the podium taking 1st and 2nd place honors in what could be compared to the Tour de France of Stand Up Paddleboarding. The 2009 SUP Fryslan 11 City SUP Tour consisted of 5 continuous days of racing following the same route as the historic 220 km (132 miles) Fryslan 11 city ice skating race.
A country famous for its windmills, the course provided one of the most grueling yet most scenic SUP race courses. With daily winds anywhere between 20-60 mph, rain, lake crossings, low bridges and not to mention 4-7 hours a day standing on a board. Byron posted a winning time of 26 hours 44 minutes 19 seconds and Xavier secured a hotly contested second place with a time 27 hours 12 minutes 30 seconds.

(L-R) Byron Kurt - Xavier Masdevall Garçon)

(photos by Chris Paredes)

The end of the Social Calendar for SUP racing in Hawaii was brought to a conclusion Labor Day Weekend,  August 30th.   Driving into Haleiwa the ocean appeared calm and flat, while racers kept their fingers crossed for winds to pick up.  Even though the sun was out we had burst of rain in the morning, though no one seemed to be too concerned. Racers were already filling the parking lot at Waimea Bay unloading boards as early as nine o’clock even though the race didn’t start till eleven.  Local police did the honors of ticketing the unfortunate few who didn’t have proper parking. Anticipation threaded the air as competitors and viewers mulled through the sea of SUP’s littering the grounds and the beach, others occupied themselves with registration.