The Race That Won… Last Paddler Standing 2024

TotalSUP is dedicated to showcasing the thrilling world of long-distance endurance stand-up paddling races, particularly the unique and exhilarating Last Paddler Standing competition. This innovative event challenges paddlers’ endurance and mental fortitude, requiring them to paddle a continuous 3 mile loop around Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota Florida until only one participant remains. At the 2024 race TotalSUP provided comprehensive coverage of this event, highlighting the inspiring stories, training tips, and paddling techniques of the competitors by going live on Youtube through SUPBoarder. By bringing together a community of enthusiasts and professionals, TotalSUP not only celebrates the spirit of endurance paddling but also fosters a deeper appreciation for this captivating sport and its incredible athletes.

Photo by Michael Carson

Today we sit down with John Batson, Flying Fish team Rider the final participant of the 2024 Last Paddler Standing race and race director Greg Wingo. John shares his motivating reasons for entering this unique endurance event, highlighting its accessibility and the opportunity to challenge his physical and mental limits, while Greg reflects on his experience as race director. As it was the first time in Last Paddler Standing history that the race won, John recounts the challenges he faced, the importance of a supportive team, and his personal reflections on the experience. Through John and Greg’s insights, we gain a deeper understanding of what it means to participate in ultra-endurance events and push the limits of endurance.

Photo by Michael Carson

Hey John! Welcome back to TotalSUP! We’re so stoked to catch up with you and hear all about your experience at Last Paddler Standing! But first, what inspired you to participate in the last paddler standing competition?

LPS seemed like a reasonable endurance event to try. By reasonable what I mean is you don’t need a support boat and if you opt to stop you are not in the middle of the ocean or wilderness. I like the challenge that endurance events offer- physical, mental and emotional. I’d like to do more races like this and LPS seemed to be a good way to test the waters in an ultra endurance race.

Photo by Michael Carson

We cannot wait to see you continue your paddling journey in long distance races! Can you share your training regimen leading up to the event?

For the past seven years paddling (primarily SUP) has been my most common mode of fitness and training. Honestly I did not do anything out of the ordinary for LPS. As in years past I trained with the goal of competing in Chattajack at the end of the season. This past year has been a little different in that I have been recovering from 2 neck surgeries. With that in mind my volume of training and intensity was a little less than prior years, but I have been reasonably consistent and I think it paid off in both Chattajack and LPS this year. I train with Michael Booth and he has individualized my plan really well based on how my recovery was going and peaking and tapering with these two events in mind as my goal this year.

Photo by Michael Carson

You definitely had an impressive performance at Chattajack in 2024, and we’re glad to hear that Boothy helped you prepare for LPS! What was your strategy during the competition to maximize your endurance?

I found a comfortable pace that allowed me enough recovery between laps to take care of all the housekeeping (food, warming up, changing clothes, using the restroom, etc.). I did a good job keeping my emotions in check. I think that was a big part of the first 48 hrs. Despite the various conditions we faced or how my body and mind were feeling, I did not allow much to rattle me. My fitness was solid, my board (Flying Fish Freedom) and paddle (QB Trifecta) all just felt really good. I had an incredible support team (primarily my wife Alice) and she kept me on track with nutrition and ongoing motivation.

Photo by Michael Carson

What challenges did you face during the competition, and how did you overcome them?

The first night I was surprised how cold we were out there and the challenge was circulating clothes and trying to have some options that were dry and warm with each lap. Alice made a run on day two to get more clothes and this helped on the second night. After 36 hours I did not have a great appetite for foods I normally eat with competitions. We had to experiment with a few different options. Warm mashed potatoes and oatmeal were some foods I found really good later in the race. The second night I had a few laps that I was falling asleep while standing up. Singing to myself helped! Alice told me at one point during the second night “you did not drink much on that lap.” I had a brief panic as I realized I was so tired I had forgotten to keep up with my hydration. I only let that happen once, but it was a reminder no matter how tired I needed to be consistent with our routine. After 48 hours the super laps posed a different set of challenges. Lap 49 I felt a bit euphoric. Oddly it felt really good paddling hard with Blake on that lap. Lap 50 the wind was solid over 20 mph. It had picked up more than what Blake and I were facing on lap 49. Paddling into the wind to the first upwind mark with no shelter was just relentless. It was hard to simply change my paddle from one side to the other. That was a challenge after 160+ miles of paddling that I had a hard time managing. I did my best to stay positive and paddle strong, but it was too much…

Photo by Michael Carson

The wind was definitely howling! How did you mentally prepare yourself for such a physically and mentally demanding event?

To some degree I think my profession helped with my mental preparation. Even though it was over 20 years ago, completing training for medical school and residency was a tremendous challenge. In residency we would work 36 hours straight on a weekly basis. Now in private practice I maintain a very busy schedule. Despite how tired I might be I do a pretty good job completing my training throughout the week. My wife Alice keeps me on track with a great nutrition plan and Michael Booth and I have worked out when I can push it and when I need recovery. I told Boothy I would call him before we entered the super laps and I never doubted I would make that phone call. Alice, Boothy and my Flying Fish team really pumped me up all weekend with confidence.

Photo by Michael Carson

We are so glad to hear that you had the best support team that anyone could ask for! Were there any moments during the competition that stood out as particularly memorable or intense?

This event was memorable from start to finish. Paddling in the dark was interesting, especially with the lights and their effects on the water around the park when we were really tired. I had a few friends from home show up unexpectedly as well as a few of my Flying Fish teammates and it was very uplifting to see them. On lap 49 when Blake and I were paddling side by side into the wind and chop, my body was filled with such positive emotion. I think I kept so much bottled up emotionally during the prior 2 days it was an incredible feeling knowing we were nearing the end. When I was alone and finally rounding the last corner on lap 50 the support from everyone on land was incredible and much appreciated. It was great chatting with some endurance legends and observing how they handled themselves. I learned a lot during the 50 hours!

Photo by Michael Carson

All of us at TotalSUP are so proud that you paddled 50 laps! How did the competition environment and your fellow paddlers affect your performance?

For the most part, I did not view the other paddlers as my competition. Ultimately the clock was our competition. Your effort determined your lap time and available rest. Your grit determined whether or not you were on the starting line each hour. Lap 49 was a bit competitive with Blake, but again we were paddling against the clock and pushing each other. Lap 50 I was racing the wind and the clock.

Photo by Michael Carson

What advice would you give to someone considering participating in a similar competition?

Last Paddler Standing is a great event to test the waters in an ultra endurance race. It is pretty cool to test and see what you are capable of with solid training, a support team and a little determination. It was one of my most memorable paddle events to date.

Photo by Michael Carson

How do you plan to improve for future competitions after your experience in this one?

I think we learned how critical the support team is for an endurance event such as LPS. After the 36 hour mark, it’s an exhausting task for the support crew as well as the paddler. The paddling was not as difficult as the other stuff- maintaining hydration, nutrition, staying warm and dry and the support team will determine your success related to these vital components. I was lucky to have Alice on my side for the duration of the event. My friend John Meskauskas helped give Alice a break as well and we really appreciated his presence and assistance.

Photo by Michael Carson

Absolutely incredible! What does participating in events like this mean to you personally, both as an athlete and as an individual?

In my relatively short paddle career I have made it a point to participate in some pretty challenging events each year. LPS was next level. I’m super proud of how Alice and I did in the event. While I do have some disappointment not making the lap 50 time cut off, I know I gave it my best. I was calm and consistent for the first 48 hrs and appropriately ready for the increased intensity necessary in the super laps. In the end the wind was too strong and my tank was empty. But that is what I wanted to see… what was my breaking point? In that respect the event was a tremendous success.

Photo by Michael Carson

Welcome to TotalSUP today Greg! We are honoured to have you here! What inspired you to create the Last Paddler Standing race, and what were your initial goals when establishing it?

I wanted to create something that I wasn’t seeing in paddle racing. My main goal was to give a fun, new, challenging experience to endurance SUP racers and really anyone wanting to test themselves.

Photo by Michael Carson

Can you describe to our readers the unique format of Last Paddler Standing and how it differs from traditional paddling competitions?

The biggest different is that it’s based on endurance and stamina more than speed, at least for the first 48 hours. Most traditional races are about sprinting or technical turning. This race is much more mental.

Photo by Rick Johnson

Thank you for explaining! What do you believe are the key qualities that make a successful participant in this endurance race?

The best racers are the ones who focus on the uncomfortable sides of training. Going out and training in bad conditions and weather. Going out at night. Working on sustained nutrition and sleep deprivation.

Photo by Rick Johnson

Safety was a hot topic on the live feed this past year! How do you prepare Nathan Benderson Park to ensure safety and enjoyment for both participants and spectators?

⁠Safety is key to a race like this and it starts with the racers. They must be responsible for themselves and their competitors. They need to be informed of any weather conditions or known dangers. They need to have water safety knowledge. There are certainly race elements that exist for safety like boats and medical personnel but true water safety starts with a prepared racer.

Photo by Rick Johnson

What role do volunteers play in the success of the LPS, and how can individuals get involved?

Volunteers are hugely important but we don’t have very many. Our main person is Laura Kiah who handles all volunteer signup and functions. She’s hugely important to making sure that the race runs smoothly. Anyone that wants to volunteer can contact me on the website or through the Facebook page.

That’s incredible! Can you share any memorable moments from past LPS races that have stood out to you as the race director?

Most people would point out the first year when Paolo won or last year when Alex ended his race and Blake won, or this year when the race won, but for me a very memorable experience was the first year when the fireworks display went off at 9 PM on the first night. The shock by everyone there — racers, volunteers, spectators, and even me was so funny and awesome. They were huge and it felt like they were right next to us.

Photo by Scott Sieffert

How do you handle the various challenges that arise during the race, particularly in terms of weather conditions and participant safety?

The most important thing is to make every effort to plan ahead and try to think of every possible situation or issue that might arise in advance. Having an emergency action plan in place is imperative. You won’t think of all potential problems, but you likely will have some plan in place for almost everything that might come up.

Photo by Rick Johnson

What measures are in place to support competitors during the event, and how do you encourage camaraderie among participants?

Support during the event primarily comes from the friends and family that racers bring with them. Those people are hugely important to the success of racers wanting to go deep into the event. Camaraderie during the race has organically spawned from the racers themselves. Every year we hear of racers going out on loops and having conversations while they are surviving the event.

Photo by Rick Johnson

Looking towards the future, do you have any plans for new features or changes in future editions of the Last Paddler Standing?

I do, so stay tuned! 😉

Photo by Rick Johnson

Last but most certainly not the least of our questions… what advice would you offer to new paddlers considering joining the Last Paddler Standing competition for the first time?

Ask lots of questions of previous competitors. The vast majority of people in the ultra paddling world are very giving of their time, information, and even equipment. So if you want to learn about an event like this you should go right to the source of other people who enjoy these events!

Photo by Rick Johnson

Thank you so much John and Greg for taking the time to share your insights on Last Paddler Standing! We cannot wait to see what this year’s event has in store for us!

To find out more about Flying Fish visit www.flyingfishboardco.com
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To learn more about Last Paddler Standing visit www.lastpaddlerstanding.com