Gulf Coast SUP Championship Won By 15-Year-Old Hawaiian
MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. (May 26, 2010) – Slater Trout, a 15-year-old from Lahaina, Hawaii took less than 106 minutes to circumnavigate Treasure Island (a 9-mile course) to win the Elite 12’6” Division of the The Gulf Coast Stand Up Paddleboard Championship presented by St. Pete/ Clearwater Sports Commission on Saturday. Trout is rapidly establishing himself among the elite in surfing and standup paddling.
Chase Kosterlitz of Gulfport finished second with a time of 1:48:01.7. In the Women’s race, Brandi Baksic of San Clemente, Calif., took first place (1:52:56.0) and Helga Goebel of Fort Lauderdale finished second (2:06:38.0). Ian McFarland of Meritt Island won the 14’ and Longer race on the same course with a time of 1:44:27.8.
There was also an Open Division race contested on a 3.5-mile open-water course with David Slemp of St. Augustine and Betsy Risner of Francis, Utah winning their respective divisions.
“We were thrilled to have more than 100 racers in this inaugural event, and we drew competitors from all over the country,” said Brody Welte, proprietor of Stand Up Fitness, the race operator. “It was a beautiful day to be out on the water, a great crowd turned out to see the race, and I really think everyone had a great time!”