Hibbard takes 2nd place at British SUP Championships
John Hibbard slots into second place in two disciplines at the first round of the British Stand Up Paddle
Surfing National Championships this past weekend at West Wittering.
3 Distance races were held over the weekend, testing the riders fitness and technique to the max. Each race lasted up to 40 minutes with a mix of weather conditions.
John says:
"It was a great weekend. The distance races were punishing, but mainly because I didn't know what to expect. Some of the other competitors have had experience at endurance events - the last endurance race I did was years ago. Now I know what it takes to be first I'm going to be preparing for the second round and hope to be able to move up into first position."
In between the distance races the organisers held a round of Surf expression sessions on Sunday. The waves were too small for official competition, but big enough for some short rides. John won his heat and semi final heat (beating the eventual winner) to take a place in the final, where he just missed out the top spot, which was taken by Frenchman Patrice Guenole (European Longboard Competitor).
John Says:
"I was pretty happy with 2nd. A lack of waves in the final meant I was unable to catch the good waves that I had had in the semis, but it also filled me with confidence and I'm looking forward to the next event, which will hopefully have more surf orientated conditions. I'm aiming to be British Stand Up Paddle Surfing Champion this year, so I'm excited about the other events. I was using a 9'8" Starboard in the surfing and a 12'6" Starboard in the distance races."
The next round of competition is being held down at Gwithian Beach in Cornwall over the weekend of the 14th-15th June. This beach is a real swell magnet and hopes are high for some good surf competition as well as some distance races along the beautiful Cornish coast.
John is the holder of the 2007 UK Windsurfing Wavesailing title and is currently ranked 3rd, half way through the 2008 windsurfing season and is aiming to retain his 2007 title by the end of the year. Mixing SUP and Windsurfing allows for even greater media coverage for his sponsors as well as an awesome mix of fitness training, which should benefit John in both competition circles.
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3 Distance races were held over the weekend, testing the riders fitness and technique to the max. Each race lasted up to 40 minutes with a mix of weather conditions.
John says:
"It was a great weekend. The distance races were punishing, but mainly because I didn't know what to expect. Some of the other competitors have had experience at endurance events - the last endurance race I did was years ago. Now I know what it takes to be first I'm going to be preparing for the second round and hope to be able to move up into first position."
In between the distance races the organisers held a round of Surf expression sessions on Sunday. The waves were too small for official competition, but big enough for some short rides. John won his heat and semi final heat (beating the eventual winner) to take a place in the final, where he just missed out the top spot, which was taken by Frenchman Patrice Guenole (European Longboard Competitor).
John Says:
"I was pretty happy with 2nd. A lack of waves in the final meant I was unable to catch the good waves that I had had in the semis, but it also filled me with confidence and I'm looking forward to the next event, which will hopefully have more surf orientated conditions. I'm aiming to be British Stand Up Paddle Surfing Champion this year, so I'm excited about the other events. I was using a 9'8" Starboard in the surfing and a 12'6" Starboard in the distance races."
The next round of competition is being held down at Gwithian Beach in Cornwall over the weekend of the 14th-15th June. This beach is a real swell magnet and hopes are high for some good surf competition as well as some distance races along the beautiful Cornish coast.
John is the holder of the 2007 UK Windsurfing Wavesailing title and is currently ranked 3rd, half way through the 2008 windsurfing season and is aiming to retain his 2007 title by the end of the year. Mixing SUP and Windsurfing allows for even greater media coverage for his sponsors as well as an awesome mix of fitness training, which should benefit John in both competition circles.
