Turtle Bay Resort Hosts North Shore Paddle Challenge

The North Shore Paddle Challenge, hosted by the beautiful Turtle Bay Resort, will cap off an amazing 2011 season of stand up paddle racing. Join paddlers from around the world as either a participant or spectator.

KAHUKU, Hawaii – Turtle Bay Resort will host the North Shore Paddle Challenge from October 13th – 16th. Located on the historic North Shore of Oahu, the Turtle Bay Resort will bring together the world’s best stand up paddlers for the final event in Watermen League’s exciting 2011 race series.

The exciting weekend will kick off with exclusive Watermen League clinics hosted by current Stand Up World Tour leader Kai Lenny and legendary waterman Dave Kalama. Lenny will teach the secrets of stand up surf techniques and skills on October 13th while Kalama will focus on the racing aspect of stand up paddling on October 14th.

Mark Taylor, Event and Programming Manager at Turtle Bay Resort, is amped about this weekend and says, “The great thing about holding an event at Turtle Bay is we have over a thousand people on our property on a busy weekend - and when we put on an event right off Kuilima Point like last year's Expression Session during the Stand Up World Tour's Sunset Pro, they all will drop by to watch.”

Special Rates at Turtle Bay Resort for the North Shore Paddle Challenge

Turtle Bay Resort will host a welcome drink and registration at the Bay Club on Friday October 14th. Beginning at 5 PM, participants in the weekend’s events can mingle and rub elbows before going to battle on the water. Friday’s welcome event will also include live music and film highlights to get the competitive blood flowing.

       

The adrenaline will start pumping on Saturday morning, with races and clinics starting at 9 AM. Paddlers will navigate a new sprint surf slalom course developed by the Waterman League for the most dynamic and exciting racing the world has ever seen in a unique elimination format.

“With the course race on Saturday right in front of the Hang Ten bar and lawn area, it is an ideal vantage point for spectators,” says Taylor.

Saturday evening will host the Turtle Bay Luau and Waterman Concert, an evening for the entire family as world renowned Hawaiian Watermen and musicians get together to entertain paddlers, families, hotel guests and the local community in traditional style.

Sunday will pit paddlers against the open ocean in the legendary downwind run from Turtle Bay to Haleiwa. The downwind run will take in the famous sites on the North Shore of Oahu, from Kawela Bay, Sunset Beach and Pipeline, to Waimea, and ending at the historic surf town of Haleiwa.

The weekend’s events will then wrap up at the Turtle Bay Resort with an award ceremony and celebration. But even after the event is over, guests can continue to enjoy SUP through lessons and demos offered by the resort.

“We have fully embraced the Stand Up world!  For many of our guests it is the easiest and best way for them to experience the ocean for their first time. The Hans Hedemann Surf Adventure Center has a wide range of boards and coaches to support you at any level,” Taylor points out.

Turtle Bay Resort

As the only resort setting on the North Shore, in the heart of the most famous stretch of surf and sand in the world, Turtle Bay Resort is the ideal base camp for anyone looking to enjoy the ocean, first-time or professional waterman. Nestled within 880 acres of largely untouched land, Turtle Bay is the place to get away, but still be within reach of all the action and excitement of the North Shore’s “7-mile miracle.” Locals explain it best: The neighbor island experience without the plane flight.

Special Rates at Turtle Bay Resort for the North Shore Paddle Challenge

Make a weekend of it by taking advantage of Turtle Bay's special rates for competitors ($150+tax) and for spectators ($200 +tax). Call 1-800-203-3650 for any bookings, quoting 'North Shore Paddle Challenge Competitor' or 'North Shore Paddle Challenge Spectator' - but please be advised to book early, as the hotel will sell out quickly. Please note that competitors will be required to show their entry registration at check in to be eligible for the competitor rate.

      

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