The first ever Surfing Hainan Stand Up Paddle/Run Biathlon just kicked off, with our six competitors charging into the South China Sea with their SUPs for the first leg of the race. The competition began at 3:15 PM in sunny and breezy conditions here in beautiful Sanya Bay. The air temperature is 31 degrees celsius with a steady six knot wind coming out of the southeast. The wind will definitely be a factor on the return leg of the stand up paddle segment. We have plenty of volunteers with drinks and snacks on standby to help the competitors through the grueling tropical heat.
There's plenty of excitement at the Wonder Beach Bar here in beautiful Sanya Bay. The Sanya Cricket Club is holding their weekend match adjacent to the finish line. The Dolphin Bar has set up its portable barbeque here on the beach and we've thrown in free beer and a dj to keep the atmosphere mellow. Stay tuned for more updates from the race to coming soon! Photos of the first leg below.
Pre-competition warm up.
At the Wonder Beach Bar in Sanya Bay.
On your mark, get set, go!
Some small breakers to get past first...
Matt Hammond takes an early lead in the first leg.
It's race day! Follow live updates here!
Surfing Hainan will hold our first SUP/Run Biathlon on Saturday May 14th 2011. Competitors will first use a Stand Up Paddleboard to paddle five kilometers, and then return to the beach to the run five kilometers. The first event of it's kind (and possibly the world), the event will take advantage of Sanya Bay's beautiful ocean and long stretch of beach. International competitors from China, USA, Australia, and others are expected to participate. Download the entry form here。 The event press release is viewable here.
冲浪海南SUP站立浆板跑步两项竞赛
在2011年5月25号冲浪海南将举行我们第一个站立浆板跑步两项竞赛，竞赛者首先用站立式浆板划水5公里出去再回到沙滩，进行跑步5公里。第一场竞赛是宽容的（可能也是世界上来说）活动举行地点将会是在三亚湾美丽的海水跟长距离的沙滩，国际竞赛着来自，中国，美国，澳大利亚，还有其它都非常的期待参与。
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