Surf Ski . Info - Culebra Challenge

Culebra Challenge – Results & First Pics

Written by Rob Mousley

Monday, 03 March 2008

Ian Gray sent us some photos of the 2nd Culebra Challenge in Puerto Rico yesterday, 2 March 2008. The course went from Culebra Island, 24 miles off the coast downwind to Puerto del Rey.

Via Instant Messenger, Ian Gray raved about the race: "What an awesome downwind race!!!" he said. "This place is just incredible for sursfki paddling!"

Culebra Challenge 2008 Start

Downwind

During the week before the race, conditions were wild: "After a full week of 7ft. to 9ft. swells and winds up to 21 miles per hour, race day was relative calm," said organizer Harry Negron. "The wind was gentle and seas about 3 to 5 ft. Race started at 9:15 am, the top paddlers started very fast and after 1.5 miles of flat water the open ocean part of the race offered nice runs all the way to the finish line."

Ian said the weather was "Super warm! I think that everyone was feeling the humidity toward the end. Wind was a little slower than Sat - but still puffin at around 10 - 15 knots"

One of the best

"With a little more prize money next year," Ian added, "I think that this event will quickly make its way up the race profiles as one of the best on the calendar."

Photos courtesy of Ian Gray

Race Reports

We'll be getting more photos and race reports over the next couple of days...

Results

1	Ian Gray - RSA	2:35.38	Mako 6
2	Greg Barton - USA	2:37.35	Epic V10L
3	Derick Bezuidenhout - RSA	2:46.02	Mako Millenium
4	Federico Muskus - PR	2:51.12	Epic V10
5	Erick Borgnes - USA	2:51.31	Mako XT
6	Patrick Hemmens - RSA	2:52.28	Mako 6
7	Hector Cartagena - PR	2:54.21	Epic V10
8	Harry Negron - PR	2:58.49	Mako 6
9	Jaime Ponce - PR	2:59.20	Mako 6
10	Joe Glickman - USA	2:59.24	Epic V10
11	Stuart Knaggs - St.Marteen	3:00.57	Mako Millenium
12	Dylan Bezuidenhout - RSA	3:09.42	Mako Millenium
13	Juan Piscione - St.Marteen	3:14.51	Burton Wedge
14	Casey Graham - USA	3:25.56	Mako Pro
15	Clinton Hempel - BVI	3:26.00	Mako XT
16	Corry Fitzgibbons - USA	3:27.28	Tarpon
17	Michael Jordan - USA	3:30.06	Mako Millenium
18	Anitza Villalobos - PR	3:38.39	Burton Molokai
19	Tim Burke - USA	3:41.24	Epic V10L
20	Freya Hoffmeister - GER	3:43.36	Epic V10 Sport
21	Javier Jimenez - PR	4:23.22	Mako Millenium
22	Sixto Linares - USA	5:15.14	Futura II
23	Pablo Torres/Jose Manuel-PR	DNF	Double Sea Kayak

For more info see: http://www.surfskipr.com/culebrarace.html

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written by Stuart Knaggs, March 04, 2008

Thanks Pablo, Harry and all the others who made the race happen. It was great to see the old paddling buddies again and to meet new ones. See you all in St Martin in September.

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written by MFB, March 04, 2008

Patrick Hemmens is from the USA.

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Pat, what are you?
written by Rob Mousley, March 04, 2008

The results are the official list from the organisers so I'd better not repatriate Pat without checking! Patrick are you a Saffa or a Yank?!

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Well done Gray-Son
written by Dawid Mocke, March 04, 2008

Gray-Son, I think we all knew it wouldn't take long for you to taste a bit of the victory juice. I hope yo're not hooked coz that's going to mean trouble for the rest of us.

Well done maboy.
Daw

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always a South African
written by DeAnne Hemmens, March 04, 2008

Pat is always a South African at heart. But..he is a USA citizan.
Good Job Ian. See you in Hawaii.

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Props to our FL "locals"
written by Kip Koelsch, March 04, 2008

Congratulations to the Bezuidenhouts (Derick and Dylan)for two great performances. Sure they are transplants to Florida, but they are showing us all how it is done. Well done.

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Culebra Thanx
written by Derick Bezuidenhout, March 04, 2008

Thanx to Harry and Team for a superb hospitality that made a great weekend, we will be back next year with some of those Florida paddlers in tow.

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written by Eddie Stafford, March 04, 2008

I am thinking of doing the St Martin but how do everyone get their ski's to the races?

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written by Stuart Knaggs, March 04, 2008

Eddie, we have a few skis here to lend foreign paddlers and will borrow more if needed. On the other hand, if there is a group of paddlers from the US (or another territory), you can get together and share a container to ship your skis. Let me know more about what you need and how many of you are thinking of coming. The earlier I can start planning on numbers, the better the race will be.

Stuart

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Thanks to all
written by Harry, March 05, 2008

Thanks for all the positive comments. It was an incredible experience for me. The Culebra race is getting bigger and better each year. Keep an eye on Culebra because next year race will take a step to the next level. Thanks to all the paddlers who supported our race and hope to see you all next year again.

Harry

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Viva Culebra
written by Ian Gray, March 06, 2008

A big thanks to Harry, Pablo, Hectar and everyone else from the Puerto Rico surfski federation for hosting a fantastic race. Harry, I have no doubt that this event is going to take a step to the next level in 2009. With your grand prix downwind circuit from beauitiful islands with crystal clear warm blue waters, I'll be sure to be punting this one to my buddies back home.
Thanks for the words of encouragement Daw. It was a great honour winning this event and I look forward to the competitions that lie ahead.

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