Smooth water, fast times in Hennessey Return to the Pier Paddleboard Race

Mike Igloi and nephew Ethan Igloi, 11.

 

Mike Igloi and nephew Ethan Igloi, 11, celebrate the  completion of Ethan's first paddleboard race.
Mike Igloi and nephew Ethan Igloi, 11, celebrate the completion of Ethan’s first paddleboard race. Photos

Stand-up paddleboard veteran Dialy Ndiaye took advantage of being the only entrant in the SUP unlimited division to finish first overall in the Hennessey Return to the Pier Paddleboard race. The 3.5 mile in-and-out course went from the end of the Hermosa Beach pier to the end of the Manhattan Beach pier, and back.

Smooth water, still air made for a fast race.
Smooth water, still air made for a fast race.

Race director Tim Ritter moved the annual Memorial Day Weekend race from its traditional Friday evening to Monday morning in the hopes of more favorable water conditions.

Last year’s Return to the Pier had to be cancelled because of big surf and strong winds. During the preceding three years conditions were so rough that some paddlers couldn’t get to the starting line, at the end of the Hermosa Beach pier.

A paddler waits for a lull to paddle out.
A paddler waits for a lull to paddle out.

This year there was, once again, a sizeable swell, but still air and smooth water made for a fast and fun race. Ndiaye finished in 37:40, for an average speed of nearly 6 miles per hour. The race’s youngest paddler, Ethan Igloi, 11 of Manhattan Beach, paced his uncle and veteran paddler Mike Igloi to a time of under one hour time.

Stand-up paddler Tamara Lentz finished first in the Wahine's division.
Stand-up paddler Tamara Lentz finished first in the Wahine’s division.

The downside to the date change, Ritter said, was it hurt turnout. Only 50 paddlers participated in Monday’s race, about half the number of previous years.

Following are the top three finishers in each division. Unlimited prone: Max First, Canon Smitz, Scott Rusher. Unlimited SUP: Dialy Ndiaye. Prone stock: Tim Burdick. SUP stock: Grant Curry, Justin Wiles, Chris Collins. SUP 14-foot: Brennan Rosa, Brian Murphy, Grant Bantz. 50+ (all boards): Paul Rodolf, Jay Butke, Kevin Cody. SUP wahines: Tamara Lentz, Michelle Gierst, Jenny Ramos.

Olympus Boards' Jeremy Godokiss celebrates at the finish with one of his paddlers.
Olympus Boards’ Jeremy Godokiss celebrates at the finish with one of his paddlers.

Following is a list of upcoming paddleboard races.

Mace Camhe, of Venice, finished 6th in the crowded SUP 14-foot division.
Mace Camhe, of Venice, finished 6th in the crowded SUP 14-foot division.

Hobie/Hennessey’s U.S. Championships, Saturday June 1

The Hobie/Hennessey’s U.S. Championships is a World Paddle Association event, with a fun course (3 miles) and a pro course (between 7 and 9 miles, depending on board size) in DanaPoint. (www.hennesseyspaddleboarding.com).

Race director Tim Ritter pulls out the winning SUP raffle ticket.
Race director Tim Ritter pulls out the winning SUP raffle ticket.

Riviera Mexican Grill R-10 Race, Saturday June 1

The Riviera Mexican Grill R-10 race is an in and out race from TorranceBeach to the R-10 buoy off Rocky Point. 8 a.m. Registration is $45 and begins at 6:30 a.m. The event is open to paddleboards, SUPs, and surfboards (boards under 10-foot-6). There are shorter courses for kids and recreational paddlers, too.

Palos Verdes paddlers Dan Moteverde and Riley Eastman grab the SUP they won with a ticket the bought together.
Palos Verdes paddlers Dan Moteverde and Riley Eastman grab the SUP they won with a ticket they bought together.

Rock2Rock, Sunday, June 16

The Father’s Day Rock2Rock, begins at the Catalina Isthmus and ends at CabrilloBeach. The 22.17 mile down-winder is open to both individual competitors and relay teams. Rock2Rock is a qualifier for the Catalina Classic in August. (Rock2RockRace.com).

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