It has been an amazing 3 days here in Tahiti with pumping surf, beautiful weather, and surrounded by the magical scenery that makes you feel like you are in a dream world, with today's action proving to be the perfect way to end the 2015 #SapinusPro. In the end, Zane Schweitzer secured a well deserved victory at the 2015 #SapinusPro Tahiti and moves into 2nd overall in the World Ratings.
Another beautiful morning in Tahiti saw the 2015 #SapinusPro Main Event called on with the swell on the rise. Athletes were able to let loose in some unpredictable, but rippable surf. It was certainly a day for the Australians as all six of the crew from Down Under advanced through to Round 3.
After a 2 year hiatus from the beautiful Island Chain of Tahiti, the Stand Up World Tour marked its return to the islands today with the completion of the Air Tahiti Nui Trials of the 2015 #SapinusPro in great conditions. In the end, it was the Hawaiian, Keali'i Mamala who took the honors in a tightly contested final, picking off the best set waves and driving smooth, but powerful turns on his way to victory.
Stop 2 of the 2015 Stand Up World Tour will kick off next week in the magnificent Tahitian island chain as the #SapinusPro is back. The Stand Up World Tour has a rich history in the islands since the launch of its Contenders exhibition back in 2009, and then the first full year of the Tour in 2010, as the #Sapinus Pro was born.
The Stand Up World Tour Legacy was set in stone back in 2009 with the groundbreaking Contenders project, an event that changed preconceived notions of the sport of Stand Up Paddling for good. The Sapinus Pro Tahiti is back for 2015 and set to deliver one of the most exciting spectacles of the year: Entries are now open.
Last weekend's Air France Paddle Festival in Tahiti saw record participation among locals and residents of Tahiti. In only it's second year, the Air France Paddle Festival is quickly becoming a major stand up paddle boarding event, not only in the South Pacific, but around the world. See here for full event highlights and full gallery.
After a grueling race combining downwind and flatwater paddling, it was the Tahitian Beast, Georges Cronsteadt, and Annabel Anderson to take home the victory for the Elite Race at the second annual Air France Paddle Festival.
Air France has renewed with the Air France Paddle Festival for its 2nd edition taking place on April 18, 2015. Open to anyone and everyone, from novice paddlers to champions, this festival invites the public to discover a booming sport: Stand Up Paddling.
Check out this cool video of an absurdly scenic standup paddle downwinder video in Taihiti. The Mahina Boys present the Tahiti-Moorea 30 km Channel Crossing on their SIC Maui standup paddleboards. Enjoy!
In this segment from the TV series 'Facing Waves', we meet world renowned SUP photographer Ben Thouard in the tropical paradise of Tahiti.
This next section of the Facing Waves series takes us through some of the more relaxed paddling spots in Tahiti, which happen to be inhabited by a few of the island's more exotic and creepy locals - the rays and reef sharks. Watch and enjoy.
BIC Sport is proud and very stoked to share the Paddle Board segment from Facing Waves, a series featuring the lovely Nikki Gregg and Jimmy Blakeney in Tahiti.