Harbourside Tag

February 20, 2018 | By Lori Griffith

Record crowds attended the 3rd Annual Palm Beach County Paddlefest, hosted by Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County at Harbourside Place on Feb. 10.

What began as a small race several years ago, at Currie Park in West Palm Beach, has morphed into a highly competitive race drawing competitors and visitors from throughout Florida.

[caption id="attachment_8644" align="aligncenter" width="540"] Maryanne Boier comes in for the win in the 12-6 SUP Female Division. (Photo: LORI GRIFFITH/SPECIAL TO THE JUPITER COURIER NEWSWEEKLY)[/caption]

Making the race more official

Marine Industries Association operations director Alyssa Freeman said, “We decided to work with Paddleguru and make the race more official with timing chips, race categories for boards and kayaks, etc.

[caption id="attachment_8645" align="aligncenter" width="540"] The first wave of racers begins with the OC-1, OC-2, Surfski and Kayaks. (Photo: LORI GRIFFITH/SPECIAL TO THE JUPITER COURIER NEWSWEEKLY)[/caption]

"We had about 50 racers last year and close to 50 vendors, and sold out of vendor space!" she said.

"The first two years, the event took place in May - and we made the decision to change it to February to attract more racers. And boy, did that work. We had well over 100 racers this year!

"Blueline Surf and Paddle came on as our race sponsor this year, and their support and guidance has been invaluable to the races. Napleton has also stepped up as presenting sponsor two years in a row. We are excited to see what next year brings and to keep growing this event.”

[caption id="attachment_8646" align="aligncenter" width="540"] Ana Garcia is pictured with Adam Whittington, owner of Blueline Surf and Paddle. (Photo: LORI GRIFFITH/SPECIAL TO THE JUPITER COURIER NEWSWEEKLY)[/caption]

Taking top honors

Taking home top honors in the Mens 5 mile race with a finishing time of 00:55:15:11, Steve Miller began racing four year ago at Blueline Surf and Paddle’s Tuesday Night Race League and was immediately hooked.

Miller loves to compete, but said he also paddles for the exercise and loves being part of the strong paddle community in this area.

[caption id="attachment_8647" align="aligncenter" width="540"] John Meskauskas, owner of Flying Fish Board Company, congratulates first and second place winners Kim Barnes and Maddie Miller (Photo: LORI GRIFFITH/SPECIAL TO THE JUPITER COURIER NEWSWEEKLY)[/caption]

“Having the Palm Beach Paddlefest right in our backyard is a blast and seeing so many paddlers young and old is great," he said.

"The course this year was perfect for this venue. It was 5 miles and 2 1/2 laps around two islands in a figure eight. I always like lap courses because it's spectator friendly and they get to see the race happen.

"It also energizes all the racers as they come by and hear the cheers from family and friends. We need more races just like this in great venues and also on the beach going in and out of the surf," he said.

"It was another great day on the water with some incredible people.”

[caption id="attachment_8648" align="aligncenter" width="540"] Billy Swezey takes third place in the Men’s 5 mile race, 14-foot SUP, with a time of 00:56:37:75. (Photo: LORI GRIFFITH/SPECIAL TO THE JUPITER COURIER NEWSWEEKLY)[/caption]

'We did it for exercise and fun'

Rachel Ferguson-Chase finished second in the 5 mile Women’s race on a 14-foot board, with a finishing time of 01:10:25.97.  A little over one minute separated her from first place finisher Elizabeth Miller with a time of 1:09:23.14.

Ferguson-Chase began racing four and one-half years ago when she started dating her now husband Stephen Chase.

[caption id="attachment_8649" align="aligncenter" width="540"] The youngest competitor, 15-year-old Dylan Geiger, finished with a time of 01:05:15:90. (Photo: LORI GRIFFITH/SPECIAL TO THE JUPITER COURIER NEWSWEEKLY)[/caption]

“We did it for exercise and fun. Over the years, we have become part of an amazing community," she said.

"Stephen and I have made so many friends and have multiple sponsors that support us. We have now been married for about 1.5 years and have a baby on the way. Stephen is ramping up his training since this will be the last season he can race so much for a while — and I am slowing down as the pregnancy progresses."

[caption id="attachment_8650" align="aligncenter" width="540"] Brian Pandiscio uses the race as a little pre-training for his upcoming distance paddle from Bimini to Florida - part of "Crossing for a Cure." (Photo: LORI GRIFFITH/SPECIAL TO THE JUPITER COURIER NEWSWEEKLY)[/caption]

Well-run race again this year

"Palm Beach Paddlefest was a fun and well-run race again this year," she said.

"They changed up the course, which made for a welcomed change. We made more passes by Harbourside Place and the spectators were able to be more involved.

"The wind, currents and boat traffic made it interesting. I was feeling good and working with Elizabeth Miller up until the last lap when I started to overheat, got nausea and my heart rate and respirations increased. I had to back off a bit, but was happy to finish and get second to my good friend.”

[caption id="attachment_8651" align="aligncenter" width="540"] Maryanne Boier places first in the 12-foot, 6-inch SUP Female Division with a time of 00:25-36:80. (Photo: LORI GRIFFITH/SPECIAL TO THE JUPITER COURIER NEWSWEEKLY)[/caption]

Placing 3rd in the Women’s 5-mile race

Placing 3rd in the Women’s 5 mile race was Julie Allen — with an impressive finishing time of 01:17:32:88

Allen began racing about five years ago.

“One of my surfing buddies mentioned that I should compete in Blueline’s Summer Race Series because there were not a lot of girls competing and I might win something," she said.

"This is true; by competing leisurely, I won: a paddle, a book, so many shirts, stickers, hats, koozies, keychains, trophies, some money and a few local sponsorships. This was my first time attending an event hosted by Harbourside Place, and I thought it was well-organized.

Everything ran smoothly

"I think more time should be allotted for the awards ceremony, but otherwise, everything ran smoothly and relatively on time," she said.

"As a Blueline instructor and guide, these waterways are my home," according to Allen.

"The guys at Blueline Surf and Paddle spent a lot of time working on this course - and I think they did a great job!

"It’s more technical than our old course (“Powerlines”) and by integrating laps and buoys, it gives the spectators something to watch, while challenging us at every turn.”

Complete race results can be found at http://www.palmbeachpaddlefest.com/races/. [caption id="attachment_8652" align="aligncenter" width="540"] The course took racers in a figure eight around two islands, providing beautiful scenery for racers and a chance for spectators to observe all of the action (Photo: LORI GRIFFITH/SPECIAL TO THE JUPITER COURIER NEWSWEEKLY)[/caption]

By Liz Balmaseda - Palm Beach Post Food Editor [caption id="attachment_8624" align="aligncenter" width="586"] Harbourside Place in Jupiter has many fun dining options.[/caption] Restaurants at Harbourside Place range from the quick and casual to the funky and bizaare. Here’s our Food Editor Liz Balmaseda’s guide to the plaza’s eateries, the hits and the misses.  
The Woods
[caption id="attachment_8625" align="alignnone" width="441"] The Woods' rib-eye steak sandwich is topped with balsamic onions and Drunken Goat cheese and served on a toasted french baguette. (credit: The Woods, Jupiter)[/caption] Part steakhouse, part sports bar, Tiger Woods' restaurant at Harbourside Place is a game-changer at the waterfront dining and shopping complex. Service sets a new standard, not just for the plaza but for the area. Servers rock Nike-brand garb as they hand you hot towels after finger-food courses. The food is equally stellar. The rib-eye sandwich is outstanding, a tender, flavorful steak topped with a swoon of Drunken Goat cheese. Also delicious: the bone-in pork chop and prime burger. The burger patty is flavored with bacon and onions. Need we say more? The Woods129 Soundings Ave., at Harbourside Place, Jupiter; 561-320-9627.
 
Tommy Bahama
[caption id="attachment_8626" align="alignnone" width="549"] Tommy Bahama's Caribbean rubbed mahi mahi. (credit: Tommy Bahama)[/caption] This waterfront spot serves island-inspired resort food that's expertly done. The Tommy Bahama brand, barefoot-island sophisticated, is followed through here with style and substance. Try the macadamia nut-encrusted snapper. Seasoned with Hawaiian red sea salt, it's served with nicely grilled asparagus and almond rice. Fans of creamy soups will love the rich, sherry-laced crab bisque, which is dotted with lump blue crab and crowned with crushed croutons. If you're lucky enough to snag a table with a view, you'll enjoy one of the best vistas at Harbourside Place. Tommy Bahama126 Soundings Ave., Suite L2-130 at Harbourside Place, Jupiter; 561-406-6631.  
Too Bizarre
[caption id="attachment_8627" align="alignnone" width="497"] Too Bizaare restaurant at Harbourside Place in Jupiter. (Richard Graulich / The Palm Beach Post)[/caption] This eclectic, Asian-inspired restaurant and bar may have lost some of its mismatched charm when it moved less than 1 mile east into Harbourside Place, but the food is still delicious, albeit pricey. For a light but flavorful bite, try the Tuna U-Ki, chopped raw, sushi-grade tuna with kimchee sauce and crispy plantains. Or share a sushi roll and sip on a cocktail while you enjoy the more serene side of Harbourside, as this eatery anchors the quiet, southernmost corner of the complex's waterfront strip. Too Bizarre107 Dockside Circle, Jupiter; 561-203-2510.  
Calaveras Cantina
[caption id="attachment_8628" align="alignnone" width="520"] Calaveras Cantina at Harbourside Place in Jupiter offers more than 100 varieties of tequila. (Contributed by Calaveras Cantina)[/caption] Beneath vibrantly colored Mexican lanterns, hipster servers mash guacamole tableside, crispy empanadas are filled with delicious duck confit, and dessert means hot, fresh churros served with cajeta (caramel) dipping sauce. The guac proved a bit bland on a recent visit, but those empanadas and churros are must-haves at this waterfront cantina, which offers terrific happy hour deals and an extensive range of cocktails. Calaveras Cantina125 Dockside Circle, Jupiter; 561- 320-9661.  
Bravo Cucina Italiana
[caption id="attachment_8629" align="alignnone" width="485"] Bravo Cucina Italiana Restaurant at Harbourside. (Bill Ingram / Palm Beach Post)[/caption] Not nearly as good as its restaurant chain sister, Brio Tuscan Grille, this popular eatery is perched on prime space at Harbourside, overlooking the waterfront amphitheater. Still, it's a decent stop for a glass of wine and shared pizza, delivered by attentive servers. Bravo Cucina Italiana149 Soundings Ave. Jupiter; 561-747-4445.  
BurgerFi
[caption id="attachment_8630" align="alignnone" width="478"] Burgerfi's cheeseburger. (credit: Maghan McCarthy/ Palm Beach Post)[/caption] This burger joint does not disappoint. The county's northernmost location of this north county-based burger chain serves killer burgers and delicious frozen custard and sweet, chilly "concretes. BurgerFi147 Soundings Ave. Jupiter; 561-203-7438.  
Another Broken Egg
[caption id="attachment_8631" align="alignnone" width="488"] The signature coffee mug at Another Broken Egg cafe in Jupiter's Harbourside Plaza does its job well: It keeps coffee warm longer.(credit: Liz Balmaseda The Palm Beach Post)[/caption] This breakfast and lunch cafe is open only to 2 p.m. each day, but it does a brisk business in brunch-y favorites. My favorite part of a meal here: The cute, kitschy pottery coffee mug keeps your coffee warm throughout brunch. Also, service is remarkably good. Another Broken Egg117 N. Coastal Way, Jupiter; 561-406-6556.  
Johnny Swirls
[caption id="attachment_8632" align="alignnone" width="480"] Johnny Swirls Yogurt & Gelato at Harbourside Place in Jupiter. (Richard Graulich / The Palm Beach Post)[/caption] A range of frozen yogurts, premium toppings and fresh fruit is served here with certain flair. Johnny Swirls120 N. Coastal Way, Jupiter; 561-277-9976.