Paddle Imua

Sonni Honscheid and Aussie dark horse Ty Judson have won the Bluesmiths ‘Paddle Imua’ charity downwinder on Maui

posted May 5th, 2018 by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

In brief: Sonni Honscheid has continued her unbeaten run in Season 2018 by claiming the 2-star Bluesmiths Paddle Imua charity downwinder on Maui this weekend, claiming her second win on the Maliko run in the space of six days and further cementing her status as the woman to beat on The Paddle League.

With Maui’s signature winds going virtually silent for the second week in a row, the famed Maliko downwind run once again turned into an 8-mile grind, with finishing times well outside the race records. → READ MORE

It’s yet another “Triple Header” weekend for The Paddle League

posted May 4th, 2018 by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

The Paddle League season rolls on with another “Triple Header” weekend just seven days after the last one.

Last week it was Maui (OluKai), Key West and Florence, while this weekend Maui returns (Paddle Imua) alongside Taiwan and the Netherlands. That third one also marks the first week of the 2018 EuroTour, which means, yes, it’s officially summer…

Make sure you’re following the @paddleleague on Instagram (and Facebook) for rolling coverage.

This Weekend: Bluesmiths Paddle Imua (Let’s Try That Maliko Run Again, Shall We?)

posted May 4th, 2017 by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

In brief: After last week’s washed-out but still bravely held together OluKai race on Maui, the traditional ‘Bluesmiths Paddle Imua’ charity race will give paddlers a second chance at scoring a classic Maliko run.

Registration starts at 10am @ Maliko Gulch with the starter’s horn blowing at 1pm, and for the first time ever in an official SUP race, there’s going to be an official hydrofoil category. → READ MORE

James Casey, Sonni Hönscheid Win the Wet & Wild Bluesmiths Paddle Imua Benefit Race on Maui

posted May 7th, 2016 by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

Fresh of her victory at the big OluKai race last weekend, Sonni Hönscheid has taken out the 5th Annual BLUESMITHS Paddle Imua charity race on Maui, as heavy rains turned the usual sunny downwinder into a bit of a grind. Australian James Casey, who also finished on the OluKai podium, took out the men’s race ahead of local expert Jeremy Riggs. → READ MORE

From Europe to California to Maui, Another Big Weekend of Racing

posted May 5th, 2016 by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

We’re set for another big weekend of racing, with the EuroTour kicking off in Portugal, more downwind action on Maui, and the future stars on show in southern California.

Here’s a quick preview of what’s in store the next few days — check back on Sunday to catch all the results… → READ MORE

RESULTS: Connor Baxter, Andrea Moller Win Paddle Imua As The Downwind Season Gets Moving

posted May 5th, 2014 by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

Maui’s Paddle Imua race kicked off the 2014 downwind season on Saturday, with locals Connor Baxter and Andrea Moller showing their class in less-than-ideal conditions. With light winds turning the race along the famous Maliko run from a downwinder into a bit of a grind, the 150+ paddlers (including 97 on stand ups) had to dig deep to find the bumps.

And finding them better than anyone was Connor Baxter. In a further sign that he’s not human, Connor beat the entire field on a 12’6. That’s five feet shorter than most of his rivals. Granted the light winds blunted much of the advantage of the unlimited boards, but even Kody Kerbox on a 14 footer could only get within a minute of Connor.

The win puts Connor in great form ahead of next week’s massive OluKai race and shows that his shocker of a result in Carolina was an anomaly. → READ MORE

Introducing SIC Downwind Month (Because Nothing Beats Riding Those Bumps…)

posted May 2nd, 2014 by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

I’m stoked to announce we’ve partnered with the crew at SIC to highlight one of the biggest, best and funnest parts of the SUP racing season: Downwind Month.

When it comes to paddling, I’m convinced there’s nothing better than riding bumps and catching endless glides out in the ocean. It’s surely the pinnacle of not only SUP racing but stand up paddling in general. Watching those masters of the ocean navigate their giant boards along epic stretches of the Hawaiian coastline is almost hypnotic. Paddling, surfing, gliding and just generally having a whole lotta fun. Downwinding is epic. → READ MORE

PHOTOS: The “Paddle Imua” Race On Maui’s Famous Maliko Run

posted May 6th, 2013 by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

Some great shots have come out of the Saturday’s Paddle Imua race on Maui’s famous Maliko downwind run, where Livio Menelau and Andrea Moller claimed victory.

There were over 100 paddlers in total and that made for some great shots, so click through to see some of the best. If you like these, just wait til next weekend when the big Olukai show rolls into town… → READ MORE

[RESULTS] Paddle Imua SUP Race (Maui)

posted May 5th, 2013 by Christopher Parker, Boss Man

The 2013 Paddle Imua SUP Race went down on Maui yesterday, with very close to 100 Stand Up Paddlers hitting the world famous Maliko downwind course. In the end it was Livio Menelau who took line honours just over a minute ahead of Jeremy Riggs, while Andrea Moller dominated the women’s race to the surprise of nobody.

Super grom Travis Baptiste put in a lightning quick time to claim the 14′ class and take third overall, with Aussie Ironwoman Queen Karla Gilbert another strong performer, taking out the women’s 14′ class and crossing the line 2nd overall behind Andrea. → READ MORE