2016 NZ SUP Nationals
2016 NZ SUP Nationals

2016 NZ SUP Nationals

Written by Jess Davies /

The SUP race scene in New Zealand is well established and highly competitive. These guys know how to race! If you ever get the chance, you should try and get to their annual Race Championships, it's a massive festival of SUP with some incredible action. The emphasis is very much on participation, it's not just about a few hotshots. This year's event (27-28 Feb) saw nearly 250 racers from all over New Zealand (and quite a few from elsewhere around the South Pacific) scrapping it out over two glorious days of racing at Omaha Beach, just north of Auckland.

Paddlers using their Red Paddle Co Race shapes had some incredible results that absolutely showed just how competitive Red raceboards are, even up against the latest carbon 'solid' machines costing twice as much. In fact, it's true to say that the 4km distance race was dominated by Red Paddle Co riders: 8 out of the top 16 in the 70+ fleet were on Red Race boards! 1st overall (Laurence Anderson), riding a 12'6 Elite. 1st Female, (Shirley Dryden), riding a 12'6 Elite. 1stMasters (50+), John Kearney, riding a 12'6 Elite. (In fact, 2nd and 3rd Masters were on Reds too – that was a clean 1-2-3 on the podium!).

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