This page is a summary of our most recent posts about Matt Becker

“Train Hard. Go Fast. Have Fun.” Quickblade’s Motivational Trip Down Memory Lane (2008-2016)

posted by Christopher Parker, former Boss Man

Quickblade Train Hard Go Fast Have FunIn case you need some mid-week motivation, or if you just want an entertaining trip down memory lane, watch this four and a half minute montage from Quickblade, which features some of the biggest names and events in stand up paddling accompanied by a couple of iconic speeches from the wider sporting world.

Simply titled “Train Hard. Go Fast. Have Fun.” – the official mantra of QB Paddles – the clip is an interesting look back at the past eight years of not only one of the sport’s most iconic brands, but of the sport itself   → READ MORE

RESULTS: Morgan Hoesterey And Matt Becker Win The Jay Race In Santa Cruz

posted by Christopher Parker, former Boss Man

Carter Graves Matt BeckerWhile much of the world was watching Idaho and Germany on the weekend, another favourite race was happening over in California. The Surftech Jay Race an annual race that honours the memory of Jay Moriarity and promote the culture of paddleboarding. The event has become a bit of an institution and this year drew 150 odd paddlers, including almost 100 SUPs.

Matt Becker and Morgan Hoesterey were the fastest around the long course. Quite fitting that Matt took the win, seeing the guy is one of the new young chargers out at Mavericks (mirroring the late, great Jay Moriarity). Click through for the results…   → READ MORE

Jamie Mitchell, Morgan Hoesterey Win Ghostryders’ Davenport Downwinder As The Wind Fires In NorCal

posted by Christopher Parker, former Boss Man

Jamie Mitchell downwind stand up paddlingJamie Mitchell has continued to work his way back into the racing scene, putting on a vintage display to comfortably win the Davenport Downwinder on the weekend, an event hosted by the Ghostryders paddling club out of Santa Cruz.

Not only did JM win the race, he did it on a 12’6 while most of the field were on 14 footers. Equally impressive was Morgan Hoesterey, who won the women’s race on a 12’6 and beat 90% of the men’s 14′ field while she was at it.

The 5th edition of this iconic regional race scored some very nice downwind conditions, with the wind firing along the 16 mile course in Northern California. The race starts at Davenport Landing and heads south, finishing beside the Santa Cruz pier. Over 120 paddlers took part across the SUP, prone, outrigger and surfski divisions.   → READ MORE

What Do The World’s Best SUP Racers Do In The Off Season? (Hint: Involves Giant Waves)

posted by Christopher Parker, former Boss Man

Jamie Mitchell So what do the world’s best SUP racers get up to in the off season? Train on their new 12’6″ prototypes? Practice their buoy turns? Do lots of dips & lunges? Well if your name is Jamie Mitchell, Matt Becker, Kai Lenny, Connor Baxter, Chuck Patterson, Dave Kalama or any of the other SUP racers who clearly have a screw loose, the answer is: Hell no, let’s go surf stupidly large waves instead.

I guess after six months spent grinding across flat lakes, surfing 12’6 race boards on 2 foot waves and riding bumps in the ocean that don’t even break, you might as well take it to the extreme opposite end of the scale, right?   → READ MORE

Battle Of The Paddle: Five Big Names That *Won’t* Be Racing This Weekend…

posted by Christopher Parker, former Boss Man

Battle of the PaddleThere are less than 48 hours until Battle… 48 hours until the world’s best line up at Doheny for the sixth annual Rainbow Sandals Battle of the Paddle California.

However… not ALL of the world’s best paddlers will be on the start line this year. As happens every year, a few of the top names are out for one reason or another. This year that little group just so happens to include three past Elite Race champions…

This isn’t necessarily major news on its own, as we said, this happens every year. However with the recent Battle of the Paddle drug testing announcement, we thought it prudent to put this out ahead of time and make it clear why each of these athletes are pulling out, lest there be any sneaky whispers on the beach come race time. So take a deep breath: Here are the paddlers you won’t be watching compete in the Elite Race on Saturday afternoon.   → READ MORE

[RESULTS] Becker, Oliphant Win The Surftech Jay Race In Santa Cruz

posted by Christopher Parker, former Boss Man

Legends: Joe Bark and Gerry LopezMatt Becker and Brit Oliphant have taken out the 2013 Surftech Jay Race, as over 150 stand up paddlers hit the water in Santa Cruz yesterday to honour the late Jay Moriarty.

America’s Cup skipper Jimmy Spithill was second over the line in the 12 mile distance race, while Anthony Vela and Allison Riddle took out the Waterman Challenge “triathlon”.

Click through for the full results…   → READ MORE

[RESULTS] Fernando Stalla Cleans Up At San O (U.S. SUP Tour)

posted by Christopher Parker, former Boss Man

US SUP Tour San Onofre 2013Rogue SUP front man (and part-time calendar model) Fernando Stalla has won the 2013 U.S. SUP Tour at San Onofre this weekend, beating a small but classy field of paddlers to take the second leg of the inaugural Tour and cap off a string of wins in recent weeks for the Punta Sayulita ambassador.

Fernando has been on a tear lately; his victory in yesterday’s surf race comes on the back of a win in San Diego last week as well as the Hennessey’s U.S. Champs before that. Coming in second was Matt Becker, while Captain America Slater Trout rounded out the podium. Meanwhile in the women’s race it was Halie Harrison who handled the waves the best to come out on top. Click through for full results plus photos of the action from San O…   → READ MORE

Carolina Cup: On The Road With Team Quickblade

posted by Christopher Parker, former Boss Man

Carolina Cup video - QuickbladeGo behind the scenes at the 2013 Carolina Cup with Team Quickblade’s Jamie Mitchell, Matt Becker and the Mad Scientist himself, Jim Terrell. Check out how the guys spent their first day (including almost missing their flight) as they arrived in North Carolina early to prepare for one of the biggest races of the year.

I’ve had the pleasure of travelling with these three in the past and it’s always good times when they’re around, so click through to watch the full clip…   → READ MORE

Danny Ching, Annabel Anderson Win The 2013 Carolina Cup In Style (UPDATED RESULTS)

posted by Christopher Parker, former Boss Man

Danny Ching Carolina Cup SUPDanny Ching has won the 2013 Carolina Cup at Wrightsville Beach, claiming his second straight title in emphatic style to cement his position as the world’s fastest stand up paddler. Danny opened up a big gap on the field and was well clear by the end of the 12.5 mile “Graveyard” Elite Race course, crossing the line exactly four minutes ahead of his nearest rival.

France’s Eric Terrien also paddled extremely well to claim 2nd ahead of an all-star cast that included Jamie Mitchell (3rd), Chase Kosterlitz (4th), Ryan Helm (5th) and Matt Becker (6th).

Meanwhile Annabel Anderson put on a dominant display to claim victory ahead of Jenny Kalmbach and Brandi Baksic. Click through for FULL RESULTS…   → READ MORE

[RESULTS] U.S. SUP Tour @ Huntington Beach

posted by Christopher Parker, former Boss Man

US SUP TourThe first stop of the 2013 U.S. SUP Tour – the new three-event series that will decide Team USA for the 2014 World Champs – has just finished at Huntington Beach. Matt Becker was victorious in the Elite Men’s SUP Race, coming home ahead of young gun Mo Freitas and picking up $1,000 for his effort.

Click through for more results…   → READ MORE

Road Trippin’

posted by Christopher Parker, former Boss Man

What have the world’s best Stand Up Paddlers been getting up to the past week? For the elite Team Quickblade, including Jamie Mitchell, Chase Kosterlitz, Matt Becker, Candice Appleby, Fernando Stalla, Tucker Ingalls and Jim Terrell, it’s been a 24 hour road trip from L.A. to Oregon. All in the name of SUP racing.

Click through to check out the Instagram pics of their adventure…   → READ MORE

[RESULTS] Surftech Jay Race

posted by Christopher Parker, former Boss Man

Results are in from the big Surftech Jay Race held @ Santa Cruz today. With over 200 paddlers turning out to honour Jay Moriarity.

Jamie Mitchell was the big winner, taking out the elite 12 mile race in the 14′ class, while Candice Appleby won the women’s race. Click through for FULL RESULTS…   → READ MORE

[RESULTS] Santa Cruz Downwind Ryders Cup

posted by Christopher Parker, former Boss Man

Results from the Santa Cruz Downwind Ryders Cup. The event was presented by Quiksilver Waterman Collection and organised by the awesome Ghostryders Watermen Club.

Click through for full results plus a great race recap VIDEO…   → READ MORE

[RESULTS] Danny Ching and Heather Baus Victorious @ Carolina Cup

posted by Christopher Parker, former Boss Man

Danny Ching has won the Carolina Cup Elite Race, taking out the Elite 12.5 mile (20 kms) “Graveyard Course” race ahead of Florida’s Chase Kosterlitz.

Heather Baus was victorious on the women’s side of the race, beating home Brandi Baksic and Candice Appleby. Click through for photos and full results…   → READ MORE

[RESULTS] 3rd Annual NAC Hovie SUP Festival

posted by Christopher Parker, former Boss Man

The 3rd Annual NAC Hovie SUP Festival took place today @ Newport Aquatic Center.

Over 100 paddlers took part in either the Elite Race or Open Race to make it one of the biggest stand up paddle races of the season.

Rob Rojas, Jim Terrell, Michael Murphy, Krisztina Zur and Suzy Strazzulla took out division wins. FULL RESULTS…   → READ MORE

[RESULTS] Surftech Shootout Duel-athlon SUP Race

posted by Christopher Parker, former Boss Man

Results from the 2012 Duel-athlon SUP Race at the Surftech Shootout, Santa Cruz.

Big wins for Candice Appleby and Anthony Vela.

Click through for the full results, pics and video of the race action…   → READ MORE

[RESULTS] World Champs Technical Course Race: Travis Grant Wins GOLD

posted by Christopher Parker, former Boss Man

RESULTS of the ISA World Standup Paddle and Paddleboard Championship Technical Course and Team Relay races.

Team Australia was dominant taking 2x Gold and 2x Silver, with Team U.S.A. grabbing 1x of each.

Some of the minnows of world paddling got in on the action as well, with countries like Austria winning their first ever ISA medals.

Click through for FULL RESULTS + PHOTOS…   → READ MORE