Stand Up Paddle Profile - Anthony Vela
- Written by Morgan Becker
- Published in Profiles
- Comments::DISQUS_COMMENTS
Boardworks team rider Anthony Vela has been making a name for himself recently in the world of stand up paddling. Get to know this unique waterman in the following video interview.
As a strong competitor, Anthony Vela has dedicated himself to mastering all things water related. Listen below as he explains his lifeguarding background, current stand up paddle accomplishments and future plans in the sport of SUP.
Check out the previous stand up paddle profile on SUPconnect.com
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REDONDO BEACH, California - After being introduced to the sport, Anthony Vela came down hard with the SUP bug saying “I enjoy stand up paddling because you can do it anywhere. You can do it in the ocean, rivers, lakes; anywhere there is a body of water you can stand up paddle.” But then again, he is passionate about pretty much all he does.
Vela become a lifeguard for LA County in 1994 and quickly adapted to the ocean, learning to paddleboard, surf ski and bodysurf. By 1998 he competed in the World Lifesaving Championships as part of the US National Lifesaving team and since then has represented the US in many surf racing events around the world including: Japan, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
Today, he is an accomplished waterman and rising stand up paddle athlete, winning events such as the Carolina Cup, Malibu Downwinder Race, Santa Barbara Downwinder Race and the San Clemente OceanFest SUP surfing competition.
After being approached by Boardworks to join their team and ride the Morelli & Melvin stand up paddle race boards, Vela has brought his high energy and contagious smile to competitions around the world, “Stand up paddling has allowed me to travel all throughout the world basically and there are so many more places to travel.”
“One of my favorite trips that I just went on was to Colorado to participate in the TEVA Mountain Games and had an opportunity to race down a river,” says Vela who recently got his first taste of downriver, whitewater SUP.
Looking forward to upcoming events, Anthony will compete in the Battle of the Paddle in Dana Point, California, one of the year’s most anticipated events with a highly competitive elite field of racers.
Read more on Anthony Vela and the rest of the Boardworks team at www.boardworkssup.com.
Morgan Becker
After spending the first part of her life in Minnesota, Morgan traded in her snow boots for sandals and moved to sunny California. After graduating with a degree in Communication from The University of Southern California, she eventually made her way down south to San Diego and is taking advantage of the living by the best beaches and burritos California has to offer. If it’s sunny, you can find her at the beach relaxing, or exploring the calm water in the bay via paddleboards and kayaks.
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