September was a big month for the Harvest crew
The month started with the Surf Expo trade show in Orlando, where Harvest showed its first season of product delivering to retailers March 2012. The complete line includes our new line of technical board shorts with features including welded seams and 4 way recycled stretch fabrics. We also will have a complete line of technical surf shirts with UV protection, moisture wicking and breathable properties to keep you protected and comfortable while on the water. The response to the brand and our new products was great and we are excited to get out and meet more retailers.
The week after Surf Expo was the Central surf Pro in Puerto Escondido Mexico. This is Stand Up Paddling's premier tube riding contest and neither the waves nor the competitors disappointed. The Mexican Pipeline was on fire with 8-10 foot surf for the majority of the contest. All the competitors showed what was possible on an SUP board in Puerto's warm water as they charged in and out of big tubes all up and down the beach. Harvest is proud of team riders Brian Gilbert and Jess Leedy who's barrel riding skills were on display and finished 4th and 2nd respectively. Bravo boys!
From there it was straight to Battle of the Paddle at Doheny state beach in Dana Point California, where again Harvest had a booth and team rider Matt Becker was competing. The event was amazing. Competitors were treated to near perfect conditions for the Elite race. The weather was warm and sunny with a small south swell running to make for some interesting challenges in the surf. If you have never been or seen an Elite Stand Up Paddle race, do yourself a favor and try to check one out. These short course races are action packed and very spectator friendly. The Elite race was won by young phenom Conner Baxter, who put a final stamp on an amazing season. Candace Appleby proved her dominance on the women's side by winning the women's elite race. Harvest team rider, Matt Becker was in 8 place coming to the beach on the last lap, but his competitors behind him managed to catch a wave from the outside that let them catch and eventually pass Matt, who ended up finishing a strong 11th against the best paddlers in the world. Well done Matt!
Then it was of to the Stand Up World tour event in Huntington beach were the best stand up surfers from around the globe came to compete in the only mainland US stop of the world stand up surf tour. Surf city provided some head high surf for the first couple days of the event and some very high performance surfing was on display. Matt Becker proved once again that not only is he a fast paddler but he is also a really good surfer. He was a standout in the trials and his new school attack earned him a second place finish in the trials and eventually carried him all the way to the quarter finals of the main event. Unfortunately the surf dropped and the final rounds were held in very small waves.
Now its Oct and as already been another crazy month for the Harvest crew. stay tuned to hear about the team's cross country road trip to Newfoundland... Cheers!
