(photo by Brandon Nelson)

"The First Annual 'Round the Rock SUP Race around Mercer Island, Washington (between Seattle and Bellevue) happened on September 27, 2009 under warm sunny skies. Seventy-two contestants battled 20 mph headwinds for two-thirds of the 13 mile course.

Beau Whitehead, 40, of Bellingham, Washington, finished in 2 hours, 36 minutes.  Beau rode an 18 ft. Bark. Dan Eberhardt, 42, Manhattan Beach, was second in 2 hours, 56 minuteson a 14 ft. Ron House.  Rod Parmenter, 44, Hood River, Oregon, was third in 3 hours, 4 minutes.  Rod was on 14' 8" Starboard.  Heather Nelson of Bellingham, Washington was the top female finisher with a time of 3 hours, 12 minutes. She rode a 14 foot C4 Vortice. Of the 64 competitors in the 2.5 mile sprint, which occurred later in the day, Beau Whitehead was also the winner with a time of 29 minutes, 10 seconds.  He borrowed Dan Eberhardt's 14 ft. Ron House.  Russell D'Card, 40, Gig Harbor, Washington, was second with a time of 30 minutes, 44 seconds on a 12'6" S.I.C..  Rock Andrews, 51, Seattle, finished in 34 minutes, 34 seconds to claim third place overall.  Gail Stringer, 43, was the top female finisher in the short course with a time of 39 minutes, 49 seconds.

This was the largest SUP event in the Pacific Northwest, where the sport is still taking root. Contestants ranged in ages from 9 to 67.  In addition to the two races with over 130 competitors, the beach was buzzing with equipment displays from industry reps and retailers.  Free demos were offered to the public and the the water was covered with beginners enjoying their first time on a board.  One nine year old boy leaving the water was overheard exclaiming "This is the best day of my life!"  That stoke was felt by many at the First Annual 'Round the Rock.

photos by Erin Underwood