Challengers Face Choppy Ocean Conditions in URT Endurance Race

Ocean athletes tested their mettle in rough conditions Sunday in Coronado in the inaugural URT Waterman's Endurance Challenge.

“The Waterman’s Endurance Challenge: The URT Swim, Paddle, Fin competition featured three consecutive open-water events, conducted in the standard triathlon fashion, with the start, transition area and finish all occurring at Center Beach,” said James Kehaya of North American Athletics who organized the event in partnership with URT.

“The competition was designed to test traditional waterman skills, through a competitive endurance event. Event gifts and prizes were provided by URT, Emerald City, James&Joseph, Suunto, Ocean Minded and T3. The event began with a 500-meter swim, followed by a 3000-meter open water paddle (SUP or Prone), and finished with a 1000-meter open water swim with fins.”

“The contest was split into 2 divisions: open and relay,” said Ian Urtnowski of URT. “The Open division was defined by one contestant completing all the legs, while the Relay division assigned one person to each leg of the race.”

“Challenging conditions and great athletes were the hallmarks of the first ever Swim, Paddle, Fin,” said Kehaya. “The building surf, wind, and chop challenged even the most seasoned watermen and women."

In the men's division, Coronado High School sophomore and Imperial Beach resident Israel Dedina came in second behind City of Huntington Beach Ocean Lifeguard Nick Sullivan, who demonstrated his mastery of ocean skills in the bumpy conditions. Ryan Pingree came in third.

In the women's division, Gracie Van der Byl put in an impressive performance placing first in the women’s division, followed by Carter Graves and Carrie Lingo.

Team URT came in first in the relay division followed by the Coronado Lifeguard team. The Imperial Beach Lifeguard team placed third.

“The URT SPF was a pilot contest of more Watermen Endurance Triathlon Events to come,” said Ian Urtnowski of URT. “So to keep your ear to the ground and check out www.urturt.com or www.northamericanatletics.com for full contest results and additional photos.“

"Congrats to everyone who came out to challenge the course, and battle it out in tough weather," said Kehaya.

RESULTS

Men's Results:

• 1st: (0:37:51) – Sullivan, Nick
• 2nd: (0:40:02) – Dedina, Israel
• 3rd: (0:42:33) – Pingree, Ryan

Women's Results:

• 1st: (0:44:09) – Van der Byl, Gracie
• 2nd: (0:46:27) – Graves, Carter
• 3rd: (1:07:29) – Lingo, Carrie

Team Relay

• 1st:  (0:37:06)- Team URT
• 2nd (0:40:38) – Coronado Beach Lifeguards
• 3rd (0:46:11)  – Imperial Beach Lifeguards