Today the wind was light in La Ventana, providing perfect conditions for the Paddle Royale, a 10-mile SUP island crossing from Cerallvo Island to La Ventana. After a smooth boat ride across the channel, competitors lines up their boards and set off for the mainland.
Pro stand up paddlers Anthony Vela and Candice Appleby made the finish a tight one with a narrow 10 second margin between them. In the end, it was Anthony Vela who claimed first place, followed by Candice with an impressive first place finish for women and overall second.
Paddle Royale Results
Men
Anthony Vela, 2:03:10
Mark “Kiwi” Fields, 2:07:49
Jason Martenese, 2:12:21
Women
Candice Appleby, 2:03:20
Terri Plunkett, 2:22:50
Diane Wenzel, 2:31:09
After the Paddle Royale, the crowd eagerly waited for the skydiving show. Blake and Vanessa from Skydive San Diego led the way by charging into the beach at top speed. They were followed by Neil Hutchinson and Baja Joe. All the skydivers were aiming for a hula-hoop on the ground and both Blake and Baja Joe landed within five feet of the target. After triple-checking the measurement, it was Baja Joe who landed closer to the target by half an inch.
Photo courtesy Baja Joe
The light wind allowed KiteXpo participants to have plenty of time to talk to the different vendors on hand here about their latest gear. Many people were able to demo SUP boards in the calm conditions. There’s never a dull moment here at the La Ventana Classic and beach games were held to keep the crowd entertained. Beach games included a burrito eating contest, find the hose, and a pinanta.
The wind looked like it was going to fill in, so the buoys were moved and course racing competitors hit the water to attempt a race. Unfortunately, the wind almost completely shut off shortly after the first start leaving only six kiters limping across the finish line. Most notable was Joey Pasquali who, quite literally, swam himself and his gear across the finish line.
Tonight was capped off by a beach-front dinner hosted by the Coyas Restaurant and a live reggae band on the beach in front of Baja Joe’s. Tommor the wind is forecated to return, so be ready to ride tomorrow!
SATURDAY’S LINE-UP.
Kid’s SUP Clinic — Starts at 8:30 am at Expo Beach.
Course Racers — Skipper’s mtg. at Expo Beach, NOON, races to follow.
Old Skool Big Air — Skipper mtg. at Expo Beach, NOON, event to follow
SUP Downwinder — Skipper’s mtg. at Expo Beach, 1:30 pm, race to follow.
SATURDAY’S SOCIAL SCENE.
Kite-SUP Expo continues 12 – 5 pm at Expo Beach. Find your next perfect ride — by demo-ing boards, bars, lines and kites. Test the latest innovations and talk with the experts. Next, eat tacos and drink beer (remember, it’s all for a good cause), while watching the competition heat up in course racing and old skool-big air on the water. Finally, brace yourself for an evening event that will remind you you’re really in Mexico: LUCHA LIBRE! The festivities start at 7:30 pm at the Baseball Stadium in El Sargento. Need dinner too? No problemo. Hot Dogs Celene and Pancho Amigos will be on-hand.
RAFFLE MADNESS.
If you haven’t yet purchased your raffle tickets this year, be sure to visit the beer tents at Expo Beach today! 15 pesos or 1 USD per ticket. 8 tickets for 100 pesos. Every donation helps! Think you might have already won — but missed the actual drawing of tickets? Stop by the Pacifico tent to claim your loot! All prizes not collected by Sunday will be raffled off at the end of the day.
