Stand Up Paddle

Tension mounts as the Mormaii Ibiraquera Wave Contest approaches

Sports - Stand Up Paddle

Wednesday, 18 August 2010 19:22

With just over 2 weeks remaining until stop number 4 of the Stand Up World Tour, that will take place in Ibiraquera, South Brazil, tension is mounting: this is a crucial stop for the overall world rankings for 2010, as all athletes will be given a discard after this event, thereby dropping their worst result.

This means that a good result is all the more important here in Brazil and that their will without doubt be a shift in the World Rankings following this event and leading into the Finals in California.

Hawaii vs; France – the Kai Lenny / Peyo Lizarazu rivalry intensifies

There is a definite battle for pole position right now between Hawaii’s young superstar, Kai Lenny, and France’s Peyo Lizarazu. Kai’s first place in Sunset and 3^rd in France will put him in good stead. But his 17^th in Tahiti is definitely a throw out, providing he can put together a good result in Brazil. One thing Kai has shown throughout this year, is knowledge and experience way beyond his years, as well as a very complete skill set. He can never be counted out and is a strong prospect for the Championship crown

Peyo’s consistency is without doubt a threat for the young Hawaiian, with 2 podium results, and a quarterfinals finish in Tahiti, Peyo is a threat, with or without Kai in his way. His hard carving full rail turns and barrel riding have left a strong impression on all who have witnessed Peyo in action, and going into this event in the lead, he has to be feeling good.

Both Peyo and Kai have shown their mastery in small and big waves, rights and lefts, so it is going to be interesting to see how this next stop plays out and who will come out on top.

Hawaiian Warriors continue to threaten

Next in the rankings come Duane DeSoto, Ekolu Kalama and Arsene Harehoe. Duane showed moments of brilliance in France and Tahiti, after a slow start at home in the first event at Sunset Beach, and he will be looking to capitalize on the momentum. Despite being knocked out in the quarterfinals in Tahiti, he also put on a performance that will go down in history in the opening round, showing clearly that he is a force to be reckoned with. Likewise in France, he put on a display that is still being talked about with a 5^th place finish. If he can maintain consistency through Brazil and California, he has the potential to do great things this year.

Likewise, Ekolu Kalama has shown moments of brilliance this year, with a great start at Sunset Beach and dominance in the giant surf, followed by a disappointing European showing, but coming back with some spectacular rides in Tahiti. Although he fell to the same fate as Duane of searching for barrels that didn’t open up for him in the quarters, Ekolu once again showed his skill and himself as a real threat for the Title. All the other Hawaiians should also not be counted out – in particular Robin Johnston who has showed real consistency and put on great performances at all 3 of the events so far this year, showing mastery in all conditions, big and small. Kainoa McGee is also never to be counted out, with his gregarious approach both on an off the water…

Tahitian experience and excellence

Arsene Harehoe, Tahitian legend, has been consistent through the Polynesian legs of the Tour, but like Ekolu, having a disappointing showing in the colder smaller French stop. There is no doubt that his experience and phenomenal wave knowledge will stand him in good stead coming in to Brazil and he remains a real threat to all Contenders. The other Tahitian Contenders are also not to be counted out, from Guillaume Bourligueux and Patuariitea Laux, to the emerging Tama Audibert who recently finished runner up in Tahiti following a wildcard entry.

Australian powerhouse

Coming out of a win in Tahiti, Dave Muir is also on a roll and a danger to all in his way. Despite a slow start in Hawaii and France, Dave resurged with a vengeance in Tahiti, dominating the event from start to finish, despite strong competition wherever he looked. Dave will be looking to capitalize on his performance in Tahiti during the next 2 events for a shot at the Title.

French talent looking to come back into the running

Likewise, Antoine Delpero: the Frenchman displayed talent and flare in his spectacular win at home in France, as well as a mastery of all forms of Stand Up Paddlesurfing, mixing a longboard approach with critical banking turns. After a disappointing showing in Tahiti, he will be looking to make up for it in Brazil and California: both locations are beach breaks, so he will feel very at home in conditions in which he has shown he excels….definitely someone to watch out for. Another French talent that will come into play again in Brazil is Xabi Lafitte, wildcard and 5^th place finisher in France and cousin of Peyo, Xabi has a complete skill set, and the real potential to do damage in this world class fleet

Californian looking to stake his claim

Finally Colin McPhilipps, coming into the race in France and battling Antoine in the Final until the very last minutes of the heat, has shown he is a fierce competitor: the 3 World Championship Titles speak for themselves. What’s more, his more aggressive, less traditional longboard style is well suited to stand up paddlesurfing and we have witnessed some mind-blowing turns from this southern California athlete. He is to feat for all those who come up against him.

There are so many more threats to be considered, but all will be revealed from the 4^th September onwards, as the best in the world descend on Ibiraquera in South Brazil for the 4^th stop of the Stand Up World Tour. There are also bound to be some surprises coming from Brazil itself, a country that is already well known for its surfing talent…..

We will be launching the all new www.standupworldtour.com prior to the event, providing a far more visual and up to date access point for everything to do with the Stand Up World Tour and its athletes. So keep an eye on www.standupworldtour.com for the daily highlights, updates and news from the Stand Up World Tour as we head towards a very climactic close to an incredible 2010.

Aloha  

Entries are open for the Mormaii Ibiraquera Wave Contest, Stop 4 of the Stand Up World Tour

Sports - Stand Up Paddle

Sunday, 11 July 2010 18:49

Entries are now open for Stand Up World Tour event number 4, to be held in Brazil, at Ibiraquera from the 4th - 12th September 2010. Just 80kms south of Florianopolis, Ibiraquera will deliver the next chapter of exciting action from the Stand Up World Tour, as the Title Race for 2010 steps up a gear.

To enter, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The Top 24 athletes in the current ranking will gain an automatic entry into the Main event, with the remainder of entries going into the Trials component of the Ibiraquera. We look forward to seeing you there.

Keep an eye on www.watermanleague.com and the forthcoming, all new www.standupworldtour.com that will be coming soon

Mormaii Ibiraquera Pro, Event 4 Stand Up World Tour 2010

Sports - Stand Up Paddle

Friday, 25 June 2010 03:44

The Waterman League, the Brazilian Association of Stand Up Paddling and apparel brand Mormaii are proud to announce the confirmation of the Mormaii Ibiraquera Pro, stop 4 on the Stand Up World Tour for 2010. The event will run from the 4th - 12th September at Ibiraquera itself, just 80kms south of Florianopolis, and consist of an international Trials and Main event, as with the previous Stand Up World Tour events. Entries are now open at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and an official entry form will be sent posted shortly, together with all relevant accommodation and transport options and logistics.

Despite a disappointing event for him in Tahiti, Kai will be back in force this September in Brazil - always a force to be reckoned with

This will also be a significant step for the Tour as a discard will be given after this event, meaning each athlete's worst result will be thrown out for the overall ranking. With France's Peyo Lizarazu and Hawaii's Kai Lenny currently holding onto a healthy lead over the rest of the field, one discard and a great result here could change everything at this next all important leg of the Stand Up World Tour.

Peyo Lizarazu at home in France, banking off the top and currently in pole position on the 2010 Stand Up World Tour

Aside from Peyo and Kai, riders to look out for will be Kekoa Uemura, who's 2nd and 5th place will hold him in good stead overall. Aaron Napoleon is another contender, with his 5th and 3rd place that put him in a good position if he can produce the goods in Brazil. You can also never count out Duane DeSoto, Ekolu Kalama and Tahiti's Arsene Harehoe who could all shoot into contention with a good result here. It is also important not to forget the local dark horses that might cause damage in the main event, as we saw so clearly in Tahiti - Brazil has never been short of surfing talent, and Stand Up Paddling, as elsewhere in the world, is starting to skyrocket.So it is still anyone's game, and all eyes will be on South Brazil from the 4th - 12th September as the next chapter of the story unfolds....keep an eye here at www.watermanleague.com for the latest news from the Stand Up World Tour

Kekoa Uemura in the barrel with Ekolu Kalama watching his rise up the rankings

Duane Desoto win's the Air Tahiti Nui Biggest Move Award

Sports - Stand Up Paddle

Tuesday, 08 June 2010 23:35

Duane DeSoto's spectacular barrel riding in the first round of the main event at the He'e Nalu TNTV Sapinus Pro, presented by Air Tahiti Nui has earned him a free round trip ticket to Tahiti to get some more of the same thanks to the Air Tahiti Nui biggest move award! Also earning round trip tickets on Air Tahiti Nui are event champion, Australia's Dave Muir, and top placed Tahitian, Tama Audibert, who finished in 2nd place.