by Michael Booth | Nov 27, 2018 | Coaching, Competition, Michael Booth, Ocean Paddling Event, Ocean Racing, paddle, SUP, Surf Life Saving, Surf Ski, Training
Michael Booth finished 5th last weekend in the Shaw and Partners Doctor race held in Perth, Western Australia, finishing just 90 seconds off the win.
With a 27km flat-water grind presenting itself early on in the race, Booth expressed it was tough early on to hold a consistent, strong pace, as there was little help from the conditions.
“It was certainly tough for the first 15km with little to no assistance, but as the race went on a 10-12 knot South-Wester blew through which made it a little easier at the tail end of the race”, he said.
Booth hit the lead early on, however towards the end felt he was really hanging on, finishing in 5th place, closely behind the leading pack and 90 seconds behind winner; Cory Hill.
“I really surprised myself after having not competed much on the ski in the last few years, to have been able to keep up with the leading guys in the sport and come away with a fairly good result, I’m really stoked!”
by Michael Booth | Nov 16, 2018 | Coaching, Competition, Michael Booth, Ocean Paddling Event, Ocean Racing, paddle, SUP, Surf Life Saving, Surf Ski, Training
Michael Booth was crowned Aussie Marathon Champion for the third consecutive year on Tuesday afternoon with epic 18-20 knot southerly conditions treating the competitors to a prodigious downwind battle.
The Tech Race was run on the Monday afternoon where the course presented not only a highly competitive field, but 20 knots of cross wind and 2-3ft swell, making it a challenging race from start to finish.
Whilst Boothy spent majority of the race in the top three, swapping leads with Lincoln Dews and James Casey – the finish just couldn’t come quick enough after missing a few waves and quickly going from first to fourth and not able to return to the lead.
“It was one of those days where your race can change very quickly if you don’t pick the right line coming in and out of the break.
by Michael Booth | Nov 11, 2018 | Coaching, Competition, Michael Booth, Ocean Paddling Event, Ocean Racing, paddle, SUP, Surf Life Saving, Surf Ski, Training
Whilst Michael Booth is these days profoundly recognised for his outstanding SUP racing skills, he enjoys returning to the roots of where his career first begun – on a surf ski.
That being said, last weekend Boothy did just that, taking out the win in a local ski race of 20km in his hometown of Perth, Western Australia.
Booth expressed that it felt “awesome to get back on the ski” after an extended period of time had passed since his last ski podium finish.
Booth was expecting to race in San Francisco in the Red Bull Heavy Water Event last week, however the limited swell restricted the competition from taking place.
“It was a shame to have not seen the Heavy Water take place again this year, although the competition is prestigiously known for its monstrous swell and without that component it really wouldn’t have lived up to its name”.
by Michael Booth | Oct 24, 2018 | Coaching, Competition, Michael Booth, Ocean Paddling Event, Ocean Racing, paddle, SUP, Surf Life Saving, Surf Ski, Training
Michael Booth took out the win last weekend in the SUP WA 20km marathon event held at Ascot kayak Club on the Swan River, Perth.
The SUP central flat-water event is known as one of the best foundation races for paddlers to compete in prior to King of the Cut held in early December.
Whilst Booth is at present in the stage of patiently awaiting the call up to compete in the Red Bull Heavy Water Event in San Francisco, Michael said, there has been no time to put other training on hold approaching a busy end to the season.
“While Heavy Water is my focus and will be my next challenge, it has been important to keep my endurance and distance training up to speed for other events I have coming up towards the back-end of the year”.
by Michael Booth | Oct 9, 2018 | Coaching, Competition, Michael Booth, Ocean Paddling Event, Ocean Racing, paddle, SUP, Surf Life Saving, Surf Ski, Training
Michael Booth finished 4th overall in the Pacific Paddle Games last week which tests athletes endurance and technical skills over the two day event.
Known as the Super bowl of SUP Racing, the PPG competition brings together the world’s best paddlers to compete for victory in the prestigious race, this year seeing over 400 competitors across the elite and amateur divisions battle it out.
“The competition was really tough, and although I didn’t have my best races, I know I couldn’t have done any more on the day,” said Booth.
by Michael Booth | Oct 3, 2018 | Coaching, Competition, Michael Booth, Ocean Paddling Event, Ocean Racing, paddle, SUP, Surf Life Saving, Surf Ski, Training
Michael Booth took out the win in last weekend’s Battle of the Bay held in San Francisco.
A seven-mile race in picturesque San Francisco saw Michael back in his best form, determined and ready to take out the win.
“I was really excited about Battle of the Bay, it’s such a great race to be involved in and I absolutely love racing in San Francisco!”
Starting in Ghirardelli Square and racing around the Golden Gate Bridge, this SUP race really is one of the special events on the world stage..
