R A C E team
Billy Miller
Age: 27
Hometown: Manteo, Outer Banks, NC
How did you get into SUP?
My friend and I bought a board so we could get out on the water when it was too flat to surf. I quickly got hooked paddling creeks and canals and exploring the untouched waters surrounding our islands. Then came the down-winders and you couldn’t get me off my board. And then one day I decided to take it out on the ocean and try to catch a few waves…
Where is your favorite spot to paddle?
Besides the ocean, I would have to say behind my house on the north end of Roanoke Island. There and downtown Manteo, and Pea Island, and the Alligator River, and Kitty Hawk Bay, and Collington…I guess, pretty much everywhere around the Outer Banks!
When you’re not paddling…
Surfing most likely, also sailing, spear fishing, swimming, biking, eating, and sleeping.
Lel Tone
Age: 42
Hometown: Squaw Valley USA
How did you get into Standup Paddling?
“My first SUP experience was at the Tordrillo Mountain Lodge, on a freezing cold lake in the middle of the Alaska Range. Laird Hamilton, a faithful Heli client and friend of Chugach Powder Guides, brought 2 of his 12 SUP boards up as a lodge house warming gift. After my first paddle in Alaska, with the snow covered peaks of the Tordrillo mountains reflecting off the glassy water of Judd Lake, I was hooked!”
Where is your favorite spot to paddle?
“On early, glassy mornings in the fall, when all is quiet on Lake Tahoe.”
When you are not paddling…
“When I’m not paddling, I am on my favorite form of water… Snow! As a member of the Squaw Valley Ski Patrol, my duties are avalanche forecasting, explosives technician, and avalanche education. Come early Spring I head off to Alaska to work as a heli ski guide for Chugach Powder Guides. In February of 2011 I was lucky enough to travel to Kasmir to film with Warren Miller. With all the time I spend in the outdoors, I have been asked to assist in designing highly technical gear and clothing for Eddie Bauer/ First Acsent.”
Check out more info, photos and video of Lel at
Ronnie Ayres
Age: 44
Hometown: Truckee, CA
How did you get into Standup Paddling?
“In Spring of 2009, after seeing how popular SUP was becoming here in Tahoe, I figured my outrigger canoe background would translate pretty well. I bought a used piece of crap off of craigslist and drove 200 miles to Bolinas to pick it up. I used it a dozen times or so and then got to paddle a race board. I was ruined! Tossed the old board under the house. It will make a good bar someday…”
Where is your favorite spot to paddle?
“Donner Lake. A picture post card setting under Donner Summit with lots of wildlife, ospreys, eagles, bears and beavers. And the public docks make for an easy in and out.”
When you are not paddling…
“In Winter its all about snowboarding, snowshoe running and surf trips down to the coast. Mountain biking in the Sierra’s is phenomenal in Spring, Summer and Fall. I still hop into 6 man and 1 man outrigger canoes and we have a group of guys up here we can put together for a crew to do some damage at area races. Having grown up swimming competitively, it’s still a year round activity for me.
