Punta Sayulita, a Stand Up Paddle Fest

A weekend of good vibes at the 2nd annual Punta Sayulita Londboard and Standup Paddle Board Classic

Candice Appleby moments before the start of the elite sup racing, in the zone and ready to release some stroke power.

See Photos from the Event.

PUNTA SAYULITA, Mexico – Another huge turnout of spectators enjoyed a fun filled weekend of festivities in Sayulita, Mexico as some of the top longboard and stand-up paddle (“SUP”) athletes competed in surfing contests and SUP paddle races at the 2nd Annual Punta Sayulita Longboard & Stand-Up Paddle Classic which took place on March 12 -13.   (Join the Sup Racing Group for Updates and Results.)

After two days of competition lasting late into Sunday afternoon, Darren Eudaly of Laguna Beach, California, edged out Sayulita resident and 3-time Mexican National Longboard champion, Patricio “Ticho” Gonzalez, to take 1st Place in the Men’s Longboard division by showcasing some incredible nose riding skills. Last year, it was Gonzalez who edged out Eudaly in the finals.  On the women’s side, Mary Osborne of Ventura, California successfully defended her women’s longboard title in a tightly contested final which featured top “waterwoman” Candice Appleby of Hawaii and young guns Karina Rozunko and Hallie Rohr from California.  

In the men’s SUP surf contest featuring local favorite Guillermo “Tigre” Cardena and big wave star, Garrett McNamara, it was San Diego, California’s Sean Poynter taking the title in some challenging conditions as wave selection in diminishing swells tested the competitors patience.  In fact, McNamara, who arguably rode the highest point value wave in the finals, was unable to register a second scoring wave which resulted in McNamara taking 3rd place.  However, it was Poynter’s ability to make some incredible turns in small waves throughout the course of the contest and in the finals that proved to capture the judges’ attention.  (Join the Destinations Group.)

In the SUP Elite and 10K paddles races, it was a repeat for Slater Trout as the 16 year old professional from Maui held off a tough field of elite paddlers that included Anthony Vella, Zane Schweitzer, Chuck Patterson, Aaron Napoleon and local Sayulita waterman Ryan Helm.  Slater seemed to have an extra gear in both races and showcased impressive paddling technique with Vella and Schweitzer finishing close behind in 2nd and 3rd positions in both races. For the women, it was reigning “Battle of the Paddle” champion Candice Appleby of Hawaii winning the women’s Elite Race title and Schulyer Robbins placing first in the 10K distance race. Complete results for the surf contests and paddle races are available at www.puntasayulitasurfclassic.com.  

“It would have been nice to have more consistent and bigger waves so that the spectators could really see how talented these competitors are,” remarked Kevin Roberts, a principle with event organizer Punta Sayulita.  “However, the small waves did not diminish the great community vibe and aloha spirit that surrounded the weekend event.  Moreover, with surfing legends Gerry Lopez and Jericho Poppler competing and holding their own against the younger surfers, it was really a special experience for the competitors and spectators alike,” added Roberts.  Despite their years of experience, Lopez held his own quite impressively in the SUP Elite and Distance races and both Poppler and Lopez showcased their classic wave riding skills in the surfing contests.  (Watch the video from the Battle of the Paddle, California 2010.)

One of the highlights from the weekend festivities was the Saturday evening benefit concert performed by international reggae recording artist, Mishka (www.mishka.com) who played a 2-hour non-stop set in front of a packed Sayulita beach who witnessed Mishka’s first live performance in Mexico.  The j.k. livin recording artist commented that the “vibe of Sayulita” was one of the best venues he has played in his career.

As a result of the fantastic support of the sponsors, volunteers and competitors, proceeds raised from the Punta Sayulita Classic will go towards supporting the activities of The Reef Check Foundation and the Punta Sayulita Foundation’s 2011 programs. In fact, during the week prior to the Punta Sayulita Classic, one of the Punta Sayulita Foundation’s programs, established to support the growth and education of the sport of surfing, was completed by 25 surf instructors who participated in an intensive 3-day International Surfing Association (ISA) Level 1 Coaching Clinic and all received ISA Instruction Certifications. Additionally, on the Friday afternoon prior to the start of the Classic competition, a group of about 20 special-needs and underprivileged children had an incredible time at the beach and learned to surf under the personalized instruction of Jimmy Gamboa and members of his TheraSURF Foundation alongside many of the professional surfers and local Sayulita surf instructors.  (Watch Chuck Patterson talking about his surfing.)


About Punta Sayulita Classic & Punta Sayulita

The 2nd Annual Punta Sayulita Longboard & SUP Classic is an invitational longboard & Stand-Up Paddle event featuring top professional and amateurs competing in surfing and paddling competitions.  All proceeds raised support Reef Check’s (www.reefcheck.org) and Punta Sayulita Foundations’ environmental and youth educational programs. The Punta Sayulita Classic is organized by Punta Sayulita; a 33- acre residential community located adjacent to the surfside village of Sayulita, approximately 35 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta. Punta Sayulita has been carefully designed as a low density community limited to 62 detached homes where residents will have access to a full-service Beach & Surf Club. The tropical design for the beach club and the custom homes at Punta Sayulita are by the boutique architecture firm of de Reus Architects of Hawaii. The developer of Punta Sayulita is Contact Development Company, LLC (CDC) of Sausalito, CA.  See www.puntasayulita.com.

What's your take on a trip to Punta Sayulita, good for racing or surfing, or both?