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CHUCK PATTERSON WINS: First Annual Gerry Lopez Battle of the Paddle

by Chris Mauro
Global Editor
Check out the event video.

Inaugural champ, Chuck Patterson, stoked to be finished.

What started out as a picture perfect California day turned brutally cruel for many of the world’s best stand up paddlers, who converged on Doheny Beach on Saturday for the first annual Gerry Lopez Battle of the Paddle, presented by Rainbow Sandals. The event was undoubtedly the largest group of stand up paddlers ever assembled, with more than 500 paddlers on scene to compete in one of the several races and partake in the various exhibitions. Notable participants included some of the most elite athletes of surf and sport, like Olympic medal winning canoe paddler like Jimmy Terrell, big wave chargers Chuck Patterson and Aaron Napolean, icons “Buttons” Kaluhiokalani and Mickey Munoz, not to mention soul masters like Rob Machado and of course, Gerry Lopez himself.

“The whole thing became far more of a challenge than most people figured it would,” said Barret Tester, who spearheaded the event on behalf of Rainbow Sandals. “It was this beautiful fall day early on—sheet glass, incredible visibility and not a hint of wind at all as things got underway. Watching more than 250 people out there at the start was an unbelievable sight. They looked like a giant bait ball. But after about two laps around the track things started getting pretty challenging, as the wind started blowing.”

By midday, just in time for the elite division, the wind was maxing out at 25 knots, and the one mile circuit track was equal parts uphill and downhill. “It’s so hard to paddle straight into the wind like that,” said Machado, watching from shore. “I’m was thinking about jumping in there today but I’d probably be blown down to Trestles in this stuff.” Indeed, most of the top finishers looked like Olympic body builders, with Chuck Patterson taking the top honors in the elite division. For grinding it out against his paddle, Chuck walked away with a $10,000 first prize, and a huge feather in his cap.

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“We couldn’t have asked for a better inaugural run,” said Tester. “It was really cool to see such a convergence of different athletes in one place. The fact that the turnout was so big among contestants and spectators means we’re probably going much bigger next year.”

Elite Division
1. Chuck Patterson, Dana Point, CA
2. Thibert Lussiaa, Kailua-Kona, HI
3. Aaron Napolean, Pearl City, HI
4. Kyle Mochizuki, San Juan Capistrano, CA
5. Jimmy Terrell, Costa Mesa, CA

Open Division
1. Thomas A Gallagher, Long Beach, CA 2. Eric Starnes San Juan Capistrano, CA
3. Eric Diamond Dana Point, CA
4. John Perell Del Mar, CA
5. Richard Schroeder Santa Barbara, CA

Reader Comments

Posted Mon Oct13, 2008, 10:46 AM — By jeff

just what the surf world needs.....how many more kooks will be on sup boards now???? i think that anyone riding one....including bassy...be relegated to stay at doheny...keep all n one place

Posted Mon Oct13, 2008, 1:10 PM — By Ron MacQuarrie

You forgot to mention one hell of a party at the Surfing Heritage Foundation after the event with absolutely fantastic music from Titus and the boys. As one of the bartenders I gotta tell ya: these guys know how to party!!

Posted Mon Oct13, 2008, 1:19 PM — By Mateo

It was great to see all the energy with this next step progression of our sport of surfing; That's taking our enjoyment of the waves and ocean beyond the clogged up lineups and into the great wide-openness. A shout out to my local brothers: E.D, Eric Starnes, Kyle, and of course Chuck for the strong finishes. Mateo

Posted Mon Oct13, 2008, 3:30 PM — By Duc

The next step progression of "our" sport of surfing? Don't include me in any attempts to garner attention for youselves by following the latest and greatest fads. And how does catching waves with a paddle unclog lineups? Paddle out the horizon for all I care just stay away from the surfers who have to use skill to get priority on a wave.

Posted Tue Oct14, 2008, 10:42 AM — By Paddle Surf Warehouse

What a great event. Paddle Surf Warehouse thought the turn out was huge. Lots of great people and a very interesting race for the elite racers. That grueling wind was a defeat in it self. Congratulations to Chuck and his sponsors: Kialoa and Hobie. Stand Up Paddling, Stand Up Paddle Surfing is a really great sport for all ages and for people with back problems. If you think it is unfair in the lineup think of short boarders feel about long boarders in the lineup. Finally Payback. Just kidding. www.paddlesurfwarehouse.com has Kialoa Paddles and Hobie SUP Paddle Boards in stock along with many others. Come by and check us out in Costa Mesa. Thanks also to Rainbow Sandals for the great event.

Posted Tue Oct14, 2008, 12:05 PM — By Alejandro

Most all SUP guys will outsurf the kooks who call SUPs kooks. Look at the list of hot regular surfers that are in this contest. Expanding your horizons only increases your enjoyment of the sea.

Posted Tue Oct14, 2008, 5:19 PM — By Tito

I think what Mateo was referring to was the way that stand up is moving the enjoyment of the ocean out of the clogged line up. This even was a race, not a surf comp. i wish i coulda checked it out, sounds like it was fun

Posted Tue Oct14, 2008, 5:55 PM — By Melissa

What about that ironman who was the only guy to complete both races in those wind blown conditions? I think they called him Tarzan

Posted Tue Oct14, 2008, 10:06 PM — By Jamie

Are you guys really into paddling around in a circle and calling it surfing? Holy crap what a bunch of jocks! If I see photos of Rob pumping iron to get ready for the next stand up kayak race I will start the ban on SUP, kayak, goat boat, kite, wind, and all other lame non surfing wave riding at surf breaks where traditional surfers are surfing my self.

Posted Wed Oct15, 2008, 3:02 AM — By jack

Just want to mention those tough women who finished the elite course!!!! A lot of men and women didnt finish and these ladies battled through it!!!!!

Posted Wed Oct15, 2008, 12:29 PM — By stu

well, I guess it's easy to jump on the SUP bandwaggon since the SUP give surfers the ability to do something never done before...I mean, nobody has been paddling real paddleboards up and down the coast or from Catalina to the South Bay, have they? Sure, it may be way harder and a lot more tiring, but WTF? Paddle races are not new - what's new is that it's now easy. Not all SUP guys are clowns, but most are. Again, no respect for the SUP class as a whole until I see Bassy pull a stock Bark or Eaton out and paddle it. I'll even settle for the bay to bay, which is an easy one.

Posted Wed Oct15, 2008, 1:38 PM — By Kalaoa Paddle Company

Congradulations to Kalaoa Paddle Company team rider Jenny Kalmbach for winning the 2008 Battle of the Paddle elite division!

Posted Wed Oct15, 2008, 3:53 PM — By Mateo

Yes I was referring to SUP's moving the ocean and surfing enjoyment beyond the clogged (and narrow-minded) line ups out into the wide open ocean (and non-traditional waves). And by the way, I am NOT a SUP rider. I am a die-hard shortboard that just knows a good thing when I see it. SUP is a great addition to our rich heritage of waveriding and ocean enjoyment. Aloha, Mateo

Posted Wed Oct15, 2008, 5:55 PM — By vin

So does Gerry Lopez not have any skill when it comes to surfing because he rides a SUP? That event was awesome. Nothing but good vibes and good times.

Posted Fri Oct17, 2008, 3:27 PM — By craig

Nothing like seeing the newest wave of kook yuppies pretending to be a waterman brudda showing up with their donkey sled SUP on the top of their gas guzzling SUV. This is a fad along with all of the barns on their bro bra rad guy retro fish boards who clown up all the lineups nowadays. Stop trying to be something you are not. Unless you are a native hawaiin the world suggests you quit wanking about with your lame wanabe SUP and BEAT IT!!! It won't even be cool anymore in a year from now..

Posted Fri Oct17, 2008, 6:42 PM — By Gene

Jeff, Duc, Jamie & Stu should all chill out on their negative vibes. Sparky, Gerry, Barrett and the entire Rainbow Sandals crew created on hell of an ocean event. We've all been blessed to be able to enjoy the water regardless of which discipline chosen. Once again "bitter surfers" find another thing to be angry about (SUP) instead of enjoying the gifted ocean that they've been blessed with. Peace, Tarzan

Posted Sat Oct18, 2008, 10:24 AM — By Marco

Jamie open up your horizons! your one of those guys who complains when the waves are too small or the wind blows it out. Be an athelite and surf when it's good, paddle when it's small, kite when it's blowin less than 12, & windsurf when it gusts 15+. don't hate, it just limits what u can do

Posted Sat Oct18, 2008, 1:22 PM — By jeff

I never met a whiner that wasn't himself a shameless wavehog. Sup is something new and a break from the old. If you've been surfing for more than a few years,ridden the big and seen the door countless times, it's a new and welcome change. If the waves are spitting.....I'll be sitting. On my barrel riding board that is. The fact is, most waves are weak mush 90% of the time, and if you want to wank on a short board that was meant for carving and barrel riding, go ahead. Been there and done that. Before Sup, my quiver went from 6ft tow boards to 13ft tandem boards. Now I've added sups and I'm having a blast. If a sup, or any hog for that matter is hogging the surf, or doing something you don't like......kick his ass. If you have the sack. It's more satisfying than whining. Of course there's always quitting, the last refuge of the whiner.

Posted Sat Oct18, 2008, 4:56 PM — By HaleiwaBill

Well said Jeff. SUP is just another way to enjoy the ocean. Sorry to bum out the prone surfers, but its past the fad status and is not going away anytime soon. SUP is still the fastest growing water sport in the world and hugely successful events like Battle of paddle are the BEGINNING, not the end. As for surfing crowded waves, the SUP industry has been extremely proactive in educating and encouraging newbies on etiquette & sharing the aloha spirit. If you are not an accomplished accepted surfer at a crowded quality surf spot, you have NO business SUP surfing there. I am a hoale who surfs some of the most localized waves in the world on the North Shore and I RARELY have problems. Its all about respect for the locals, sharing waves and proving your ability once you do get a wave. But wave hogs are wave hogs, regardless of equipment & whining online wont solve anything. Surfers should regulate their own line ups and worry more about that surfers behavior less about what equipment they ride. .

Posted Tue Oct28, 2008, 11:07 AM — By Maria

This event was the most exciting, energizing contest I've ever attended! It was amazing how the entire community came out and just had a great time. I think the thing I enjoyed the most was watching the entire crowd cheering the contestants as they entered the finish line! I've never seen such comradarie... To answer someone's question earlier - the ironman who completed both races was Gene Smith (some call him Tarzan). He's a madman. I'm looking forward to next year's event. To all those who have a problem with SUPS - it's not going away. It's growing. SUPS are the only thing making money in the surf industry right now. Sorry. Take it up with Gerry Lopez!

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