SUP News

Hobie's Chuck Patterson dominates Hennessey's River Race

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 9 May, 2008 : - - The 1st stop of the 2008 Hennessey’s Paddleboard Festivals presented by Hennesseys, Hobie, and Hebson Insurance. The race followed the Colorado River from Laughlin, Nevada to Needles, Arizona, and was originally slated for 18 miles. 

However a race day calculation, quickly turned the 18 mile river cruise into a 28 mile downstream grind that challenged every racer’s mental tenacity and physical endurance.  Racing downstream was a fun change compared to the  usual ocean racing, but threw  a few unique twists  in the form of board eating whirlpools, funky boils, on top of the usual mix of rowdy river goers, high speed ski boats and jet skis.

Hobie’s presence in the race  was unmistakable with Hobie’s Chuck Patterson dominating the entire field on his custom shaped Hobie 18’ carbon race SUP  finishing with a time of exactly 3 hours, beating out an extremely competitive field. Chuck  lead the strong Hobie contingent to true river domination with  all 6 Hobie racers placing in their respective divisions. 

"Before the race, we all joked about bringing  along  a few beers for the  float down the river" commented Patterson "Weren't we all wrong, Kyle and I hammered each other the entire way non stop, this was one of the hardest races I've ever done"

 In true Hennessey's race fashion , Race Director Tim Ritter made sure to make it all worth while though, throwing a great post race party, quickly taking everyone's mind off their aching muscles.

Race Results

Unlimited Stand Up Paddleboard 39 & Under
1.Chuck Patterson
2. Kyle Mochizuki
3. Jared Vargas

Unlimited Stand Up Paddleboard 40 +
1. Tony Mueller
2. Jimmy Turrell
3. Rob Pelke

Stock Stand Up 39 & Under
1. Gary Larson
2. Boston Tetensor
3. David Poling

Stock Stand Up 40 +
1. Tim Stamp
2.Chris Koerner
3.Norm Watsek

Unlimited Paddleboard 18-39
1. Doug Weems
2. Mike Bledsoe
3. Craig Schnieder

Unlimited Paddleboard 40+
1. Scott Lincoln
2. Scott Rusher
3. Ron Roebuck

Stock Paddleboard 18-39
1. Nick Sullivan
2.Grant Currie
3.Sean Douglas

Stock Paddleboard 40+
1. Scott Diederich
2. Kelly French
3. Cliff Reynolds

Wahine
1. Christina Powers

17 & Under
1. Hunter French

The River Run was the first stop on the Hennessey's Paddleboard Series presented by Hobie, Bud Light,and Bacardi. 

Event #2 - Return to the Pier - May 23rd
Event #3 - Hobie/Hennessey Waterman's Challenge - May 31st
Event #4 - US Paddleboard Championships - July 12th
Event #5 - Hennesseys International - July 19th 

www.hobie.com

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Eric Akiskalian

SUP - Surfersvillage