Paddle Fleet Sends It For Whole Foods Market Paddle Race Number 4

SEND IT!!! Well we can confirm it was sent priority delivery at race number 4 in the Whole Foods Market Paddle Race Series with all proceeds benefiting the Send It Foundation.(pictured Team Send It - all photos credited Ron Steinau)

The day dawned with windless conditions, slightly grey skies, and balmy 60 degree weather making for near perfect racing conditions for the 101 registered paddlers. Yes that's right 101 paddlers at the 101 Surf Sports Race – numeric karma. And a diverse group it was with Outrigger Canoes, Sea Kayaks, Stand up and Prone Paddleboards, and Surfskis all vying for top honors and a place at the Whole Foods Market Buffet spread. Three courses were featured on the day with the Boats going 7.5 miles round the piling 17 course, the long course went 6 miles around the Marin Islands, while the short course tackled the 2.5 mile piling 7 course.

After a little rounding up, 101 Surf Sports Style, the event raised $5000 for the Send It Foundation aiding their core mission in getting young adult cancer fighters the gift of outdoor adventure. The foundation was started by local boy Jamie Schou while fighting a courageous battle against cancer himself. It simply could not have been done however without the generous support of our partners. And stepping up big was Jimmy Lewis Paddleboarding who donated a board of the winner's choice to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. SIC Maui, Epic Gear, and Surf Stow chipped in with top of the line Paddles while Onboard SUP Yoga set us up with multiple yoga classes. Global Surf Industries (GSI) wowed the crowd with a 50% off coupon for the board of the winner's choice. When you have a catalog as big as GSI's that makes for one stoked winner. The Grove Restaurants of San Francisco styled the crew out with three $50 dollar gift cards rounding off a super successful auction.

The morning opened with never ending boxes of Kind Bars for the paddlers to get energized. The Whole Foods lunch spread was its normal sumptuous spread and with Hint Water & Marin Brewing Company providing the libations it was a well hydrated affair. Three Twins Ice Crean and Mamie's Pies topped off the protein powered lunch with some tasty pie and ice cream for all. The prize table was one for the ages with racks of top notch gear for the winners to choose from. O'neill Wetsuits stepped up big time with some of the best gear money could buy only we were giving it away – NICE! Carve Designs & Headhunter Sunscreen got in on the action as well. Thanks to all the companies that support the sports we love.

The race simply would not have happened without all the volunteer help. Special thanks to boat supported Paddleboard Tour Operator the Barbary Ghost and Captain Drew Testwuide who provided on the water safety with his Grand Banks! Drew also caught some killer photos of the long course paddlers out at the islands. See them here. If you like the photos you'll have to pass on the thanks to Captain Ron Steinau who did all the photography on the day.

Thanks again to all the paddlers who raced. We were stoked to see so many smiles all around. All the better when it helps such a great cause. We hope to see you at the next race in the Whole Foods Market Paddle race series where love will be in the air. Valentines is the day for paddle racing this year. The action starts Saturday February 14th right here at 101 Surf Sports. Paddle On.

Thanks to Shane Rathle for the video taken below - killer slow mo! Results have timing offsets due to the single timer format. To get a correct time for yourself you'll need to apply the following corrections. For all boats on the piling 17 course your time is true below. For the long course subtract 5 minutes. For the short course subtract 8 minutes.

Complete Photo Gallery (Ron Steinau)

Complete Results Below the sponsors banner.