Werner Team paddlers Jessica Cichra took 7th in the Elite women's class and Jason Meehan took 6th in a hard fought paddle in the Elite men's, while their team mate Ethan Luppert took the WIN at last weekend's Florida Cup.

Luppert. "the Florida Cup had a stacked field, super hard race.  It went so well for me, maybe a little luck, and beat a few guys I never have before.  Jason had a killer start and led the draft train for a long time and came in 6^th. Jess also did the long race and killed it with a 7^th overall for the women’s class."

Here are some photos below.

Jessica Cichra, Team Werner.

Jason Meehan.

Unidentified sprints to the finish.  Thanks for the Werner LOVE!

Words by Werner Paddles, Renick Woods and Matt Parker.  Photos c/o Gorge Performance. 

Thanks to Werner Team paddlers, Renick Woods and Matt Parker for their piece on the 2013 Willamette SUP CUP, sponsored by our friends and dealer, Gorge Performance. 

First, big congratulations to local paddler Cyril Burgierre, Apparently it was like he was shot from a gun at the start line and as you’ll read below, it was a race for 2^nd place from the onset.  Great work and congrats on your training and results. 

The Willamette race turned out to be an all-out drag race, between 50-or-so entrants through our favorite neighborhood in Oregon; Lake Oswego.  Parker, “I knew it would be a battle, but I didn't know the pack trying to catch Cyril would be as skilled and determined as they were!”

 With the number one spot well off and out of reach, spots 2 through 6 turned into the most heated in the race. Matt Parker took the early lead of the draft train followed by fellow Werner Team mates,  Dustin Sousley and , Scott Van Vande Vusse and Renick.

Woods.  “After a fast start and trip around the island marking one end section of the course, we made our way to the S turn buoys. Going into the first buoy Parker and Dustin began to jockey for the 1st place position. With some bumping going on Scott and I sat back and made our moves after the second buoy. “

Friends and Team mates can still compete hard!  Check out below, Parker (shirtless) Sousley (black jersey) banging hard around the buoy turn. 

Woods.  “With the draft train split Scott pulled in behind Dustin, and I behind Matt. Instead of a single line we were now in a draft square. Now it was a straight shot to the other end point of the race, a bridge. About another 4 or 5 minutes in the draft line formed back up, this time Matt in front, then me, Dustin and Scott. Another minute or two I made a move and pulled out of the train and into 2nd putting a board length or two between me and Matt. I knew if I were going to make a strong move now would be the time. So I dug deep, tried to calm my breathing and pulled hard to get to the bridge first. I made it to the bridge and out with the lead in front of the train, but knew they were on my heels. Matt pulled up on my right, and he and I traded off 2nd and 3rd by nose lengths for the next half mile or so. Next out of the corner of my left I saw Scott creeping up.

I maintained a striking distance till we round the island and were heading to the finish.   Matt, Scott, and Dustin all added a little extra, just enough I couldn't catch them.   Dustin took 2nd, Scott 3rd, Matt 4th and I 6th. “

Parker. “Effectively; Team Werner NW duked out 2-6th places for 6.7 miles of buoy turns and bridge-piling turns in front of the huge gallery.”

You can check all the racer results for the event HERE.

Congrats to the entire Team, even more so though than these great results we really appreciate the fun and excitement you are pumping into the community.  Thanks again to the folks at Gorge Performance for hosting such a great event.

Above-Matt Parker.  Team Werner Paddles and Paddle Board Specialist.

Memphis Tn Werner Paddles dealer, Outdoors Inc, will be hosting their 32nd annual canoe and kayak race this June the 15th on Patriot Lake in Memphis. 

You can check on the event details, look to sign up to race or be a spectator, here.  LIKE them on Facebook and become a part of their community here and check out a great short video on the race here.

Good luck to the staff at Outdoors Inc with all the details and wishes for goo weather.  Of course, GO HARD racers and have fun.

John Meyer, of North West Outdoor Center one of Werner Paddle's oldest dealers, captured this shot of a native caiman on the a recent trip to the Rio Negro.  They were about 500 miles from Manaus, Brazil.

Thanks for the shot John!

(Not shown but having a great weekend is Charlie Howden, Jeremy Whitted and Ian McFarland.) 

This past weekend was the 16th annual Key West Paddle Board Classic, in Key West Florida.  We want to thank our Team for all their support and congratulate them, and all racers using Werner Paddles, on their success in the SUPER TOUGH 12 mile race around the Island. 

In the shorter 4 mile race, but make no mistake it is always blowing hard on shore so for both down beach legs you are stroking only on one side...BRUTAL, Jessica Cichra had a great shwoing taking first in the 12'6" class. 

Also in the ladies class, all the way from California, Kristin Thomas took 4th place in the 12 mile race on her "SUP LOVE" 12'6".  (Great to have you out there Kristin, your energy and smile is SO good for the sport and our Team.) 

On the men's side of things, in the 12'6" class, Ethan Lupper took a solid 4th place with Jason Meehan squeaking into the top 20.  LONG race on a 12'6", way to go guys.

Ethan with the mad dash to solidify 4th place.  Look out to sea behind him, this race NEVER has calm conditions.

In the Elite 14' class we had 2 amazing results.  For the 2nd time in 3 years, Ian McFarland put his finish time aside to aid a struggling, heat stroked, paddler on the course.  A professional lifeguard and all around great person, he really showed the meaning of waterman and being part of a community.  Well done Ian, really proud of you.  (Oh, not to mention the guy still posts a top 15 place!)  Making the drive down from South Carolina was Jeremy Whitted, taking a SOLID 6th place finish.  Well done Jeremy.

This course is famous for strong winds but also really strong current.  It makes it a touch 12 mile go.  Jeremy having a tough go at the finish line, but proud of his 6th place finish.

Lastly, saying that several times towards the end of the race he was battling physical and mental pressure to stop racing from crushing fatigue, first year Werner Team paddler Charlie Howden won the Key West Paddle Board Classic for the Elite 14' class.  WOW!  Killer job Charlie, a huge congrats.

Charie Howden.

Thanks again to you all and a well deserved congratulations from everyone at Werner Paddles.

Beth and Sandy Deeley, just prior to the Olukai with the SIC downwind boards and Grand Prix paddles. 

On Maui, top finisher for Team Werner in the Elite mens division was Slater Trout, in a super tight race for the top spot with the world's best Dave Kalama, Kai Lenny and Connor Baxter.  Just 19 seconds behind Kai, Slater took an impressive fourth place finish on the tough 8 mile course.  Seattle's Art Aquino had an impressive 35th place, showing that his passion for going hard downwind and all his hard training is paying off.  Tough to tansition from the bays of the Pac NW to the open ocean Pacific, well done Art!  Beth and Sandy Deeley of Ocean City Maryland's "Walk on Water" took 224th and 164th.  These guys will be teaming up to take on the Molakai Challenge as well. 

Art Aquino, training run.

Meanwhile on the mainland at the 10th annual Malibu Downwinder, Chance Fielder and Dave Boehne were dominating for Team Werner and Infinity SUP.  Chance took top spot in the 14' class and Dave first as well but in the 12'6" class.  Nice job boys!

Chance left and Dave right.

Congrats to you all and thank you SO much for all your support!

Fellow Werner Paddle white water Team paddler, Devon Barker-Hicks, sent me an awesome email yesterday about Sage's success at the Reno River Fest.   I think is is great to see this kind of support, check it out.

"I just finished up a great weekend training and competing with fellow Werner team paddler, Sage Donnelly. It is amazing to see how hard this 13 year old is working!  It seems like yesterday when she paddled down through the park for her first time. This weekend, she looped and cartwheeled herself to the top sport in the Pro Women's division. Well done!"

Final results, and check out her score!

1. Sage Donelly 400
2. Jessica Yurtinus 280
3. Courtney Kerin 260
4. Jessie Stone 240
5. Elaine Cambell

Congrats to Sage and her family who were there to support her.  Thanks to Devon for the words and photo and Sage's Mom Stephanie, who sent in the results and the photo above. 

Thanks to Alexandre Levorin, owner of Werner Paddle's Brazilian distributor Rock Sports, for his win in last weekend's VAA SUP Cup. 

He won the 14 foot Open class with his Grand Prix M1000.  Thanks for all the support and congratulations to you!

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