The first Florida SUP race of the year, Orange Bowl, is coming up again right after Surf Expo. It's one of my favorite races! Last year I surprised myself with a really strong race, 3rd behind Candice Appleby and Krisztina Zur, and a win in the sprints. I'm hoping to come back just as strong this year. I've been back training again since Paddle Royal, and I can't wait to get back out there and test myself.
February was my first experience with traditional paddleboarding when I did a downwinder from Fort Desoto to Sarasota with the Bark team! It was really challenging, but excellent cross training and a great way to expand my knowledge as an ocean athlete. Soon after that I was off to Mexico for the Punta Sayulita Classic!! It was a fun event, even though through a series of improbable and unfortunate events I ended up with some pretty awful results. However, I assert that my experience in Sayulita made it possible for me to have a significantly more successful BOP. If the value of a trip is measured in experience gained, then it was arguably my most valuable trip of the year (well... except for Hawaii ;) ).
Speaking of Hawaii, that particular trip was made possible by what I like to refer to as my "Spring Racing Blitz". In April and May, I competed in the Sharkbite Challenge, Carolina Cup, Performance Paddling Jr Pro, Key West Classic, Paddle Against Cancer, Florida Cup, and Siesta Key Classic (where I came in 1st to score my free ticket to Hawaii!) It was absolutely exhausting. I had some great results, but I went a little overboard and ended up with shoulder problems, then elbow problems, as well as a fair amount of exhaustion. But I must say, it was a blast! I learned a lot in those 2 months about my own capabilities and how I'm going to handle my racing season this year.
Finally Summer began! I started with the Naples Beach Paddlefest and then left with my family for a couple weeks in California for the Jay Race and Race the Lake of the Sky. At the Jay I discovered that I have exercise-induced asthma, leading to a last-place finish. But I was able to handle it and bounced back to have some great results at Race the Lake! Tahoe was incredible and it was so fun to hang out there for a week. I came back to Florida and prone paddled my way to first in the East Coast Championships. Straight after that, it was off to HAWAII!!! Those were probably the best two weeks of my life. I was lucky enough to arrive in time for a solid south swell and be able to say with some incredibly generous and hospitable friends. I became a far better surfer and the overall experience was absolutely invaluable. I loved Hawaii and can't wait to go back. Molokai 2014?? Who knows!
Shortly after Hawaii, it was time to go back to school. It's a little insane trying to balance being a full-time International Baccalaureate student (IB makes AP classes look easy) with being an elite stand up paddler. It's definitely not pretty, but I've managed to keep it together enough to make good grades and still be able to train and race and travel. The obstacles have made me stronger and I know that I'm keeping myself well-rounded and preparing for my future, whatever that may be.
The tension was building---it was nearly time for Battle of the Paddle, the biggest, most competitive race of the year. I hadn't been training due to my tendinitis pain and needless to say, I was incredibly nervous about just making it through the elimination heat. I surprised myself by placing 7th in my heat and, even though I didn't do so fantastic in the final, I'm happy with my result. The distance race went well too, I got to draft with 2 friends my age and placed first in my division!
BOP may be the climax of the SUP year, but I was far from done! By October, I was restless from not being able to train, and drowning in college apps. It was at the Fall Paddle Festival that I finally realized that the time to cultivate young stand up paddlers was now. So I launched the Florida Junior Stand Up Paddle team, a competition team of stand up paddling juniors in Florida. We had our first practice in November and we've had a couple more since then, and I could not be happier with how the kids are doing! The level of commitment and enthusiasm is through the roof and kids in the sport have nowhere to go but up.
My last race of the year was Paddle Royal in December. It's an excellent race and I had a fantastic time. I wrote about it below :) vvv After that the holiday season really picked up-and so did my training! I'm happy to be back on board (with a brand new beautiful board to boot), training with the kids team and concentrating on making 2014 the best year ever. 2014 will be the year I graduate, get accepted to college, leave home, take my racing to the next level, and, if all goes well, rule the world ;) But for now I'm just going to try and make it through the last of 2013.
Huge thanks to everyone who supports me, my sponsors; Quickblade, Maui Jim, Suncoast Surf Shop, Bark, Sweet Waterwear, and SUP Race Fins. Also to my biggest sponsor, my mom! But I can't forget everyone who supports me in small ways every day. My family, my friends, and everyone who encourages and roots for me. You all make all the time and effort worthwhile, thank you for being so awesome!
Have a happy New Year everyone!
xx Bailey
