Squamish Enduro - The Gryphon by MaxBerkowitz

Last Saturday marked the first instalment of the brand new Sea to Sky Enduro Series, with Squamish Enduro's The Gryphon. The organizers have done a fantastic job in bringing professional and fun enduro racing to the Sea to Sky region, and expectations were far exceeded come race day. With 5 stages of timed racing over 24 km, racing was tight and exciting, with the Pro Men's win coming down to the line on the final stage.

Sea to Sky Enduro Series Round 1 - Squamish The Gryphon - Rhys manned the registration booth.

Rhys Verner manned the registration booth, with 152 riders signing up to race. Rhys finished the day with a 6th in Pro Men, a great result for the 17 year old.

Sea to Sky Enduro Series Round 1 - Squamish The Gryphon

From tall to small, the downhill stages were lined with spectators.

Sea to Sky Enduro Series Round 1 - Squamish The Gryphon - Nick Geddes ripping Angry Midget a new one while a small fan watches.

Whistler's Nick Geddes had a decent day of racing, finishing 7th, although a flat on the final stage would knock him out of podium contention.

Sea to Sky Enduro Series Round 1 - Squamish The Gryphon - Enduro isn t just for single crowns...

Sea to Sky Enduro Series Round 1 - Squamish The Gryphon - Unknown rider flying in the clearcut.

Sea to Sky Enduro Series Round 1 - Squamish The Gryphon - Emily Slaco shredded Stage 2 slotting herself in 3rd for the stage and 6th overall in Pro Women.

Emily Slaco shredded Stage 2, slotting herself in 3rd for the stage, and 6th overall in Pro Women.

Katrina Strand was also killing it, earning herself a spot on the box in 3rd.

Sea to Sky Enduro Series Round 1 - Squamish The Gryphon - Tucking for speed Squamish Enduro s marketing guru Jon Hadfield rips into the lower half of Stage 2

Tucking for speed, Squamish Enduro's marketing guru, Jon Hadfield rips into the lower half of Stage 2

Sea to Sky Enduro Series Round 1 - Squamish The Gryphon - Unknown rider maneuvering into the flat out open section

Sea to Sky Enduro Series Round 1 - Squamish The Gryphon - Unknown rider on the gas out in the open section of Hybrid Lowdown

Sea to Sky Enduro Series Round 1 - Squamish The Gryphon - Matt Beer of team GoPro Intense was chasing the win Saturday going into the last stage behind 1st place by less than a second. He would have to settle for second with a flat tire on Stage 5 putting him nearly 10 seconds off the pace.

Matt Beer of team GoPro Intense was chasing the win Saturday, going into the last stage behind 1st place by less than a second. He would have to settle for second, with a flat tire on Stage 5 putting him nearly 10 seconds off the pace.

Sea to Sky Enduro Series Round 1 - Squamish The Gryphon - lots of loam

There was plenty of loam shralping to be had...

Sea to Sky Enduro Series Round 1 - Squamish The Gryphon - The slick rocks of Stage 5 were perilous with a light drizzle of rain falling near the end of the race.

The slick rocks of Stage 5 were perilous, with a light drizzle of rain falling near the end of the race.

Sea to Sky Enduro Series Round 1 - Squamish The Gryphon - Unknown rider on the steep rocks on Somewhere Over There

Riding the rocks clean required a delicate touch on the brakes.

Sea to Sky Enduro Series Round 1 - Squamish The Gryphon - Unknown rider rolling down the last section of Stage 5

Sea to Sky Enduro Series Round 1 - Squamish The Gryphon - Taking the win on Stages 1 and 5 as well as the overall win

In the end, Jesse Melamed would finish the day in 1st, with two blazing fast stage wins on the first and last stages.

Sea to Sky Enduro Series Round 1 - Squamish The Gryphon - Men s Podium

Everyone had a great time at The Gryphon, and the stage is set for a competitive series of racing on the Sea to Sky corridor. Thanks to the organizers for putting on such a great event, make sure you're signed up for the next stop in the series in Pemberton, as well as the next Squamish Enduro, The Mock Turtle.

Pro Men's Podium:
1. Jesse Melamed: 15:23.2
2. Matt Beer: 15:33.0
3. Jordan Hodder: 15:42.1
4. Dylan Wolsky: 15:43.2
5. Tyler Morland: 15:43.6

Pro Women's Podium:
1. Miranda Miller: 18:30.4
2. Vaea Verbeeck: 18:50.9
3. Katrina Strand: 19:00.4
4. Sarah Leishman: 19:05.9
5. Kelli Emmett: 19:31.3

Full Results

Special Thanks to:
Intense Cycles
Nester's Market
Tantalus Bike Shop
SRAM
Phillips Brewing Company
Venture Web
Black Katz Catering
Steam Whistle Brewing

Sea To Sky Enduro Series
Squamish Enduro

Photos by Max Berkowitz Visual

Author Info:

MaxBerkowitz

Member since Mar 18, 2012
38 articles

10 Comments

gunners1 (May 6, 2014 at 14:56)

Had a great time, fast technical trails, free beer at the end and the sun came out for some of it, will be back for the next one

kamshinkaruk (May 6, 2014 at 18:26)

Defiantly the most fun I have had on my bike in a long time. Not just the trails but the social environment was incredible!!!

cerealkilla (May 6, 2014 at 21:22)

Huge props to Dylan Smith (and his special crew), who spearheaded this operation! Way to go!

CruJonze (May 6, 2014 at 22:32)

And behind every successful man is one great woman. Don't forget Dylan's trusty sidekick and kickass race organizer extraordinaire, Melissa Sheridan

cerealkilla (May 10, 2014 at 13:40)

We all know Melissa is behind everything in Squamish. Without her, we'd all be riding around in circles.

rhysverner (May 6, 2014 at 21:32)

The timed segments were Angry Midget, Hybrid to Lower Lowdown, Your Mom, Fools Gold/Stealth Nelson, and Somewhere Over There. Awesome trails!

Sshredder (May 6, 2014 at 13:46)

I think Vaea does podium finishes in Pro class DH racing as well! I met her on Fromme. That you girl?

jclnv (May 6, 2014 at 19:27)

Killer event.

cheetamike (May 6, 2014 at 20:43)

what trails did they run ??

samtomkins (May 7, 2014 at 8:05)

Not sure of the exactly trails but I think they rode them, seeing as it was a bike race not a running race...