"The Torch Team wants to be creative in where we paddle board, we are not sheep but shepherds. We want to lead and do the unthinkable, it's about captivating someone and our product is the perfect tool to do that." -Johnny Quintana, Torch COO
It was 3 in the morning and we had just rolled into Chicago, IL. We had never seen a massive city so quiet, but so loud in the possibilities of an epic paddleboard session. Carrying paddleboards several blocks wasn't a problem as we were distracted by the same stillness of the Chicago streets. No trespassing signs, guards, and chains became our best friends as we tried launching onto the Chicago river. We finally got our chance after hours of trying and what a beautiful moment that was. Johnny Quintana (left), Brad Mickelson (middle), Strat Streetman (right) paddled around into the early morning. We stopped and loaded our boards back without any questioning and made our way of the city. We took part of Chicago with us, it was like we were thieves in the night.
"Cruising Central Park" Photo Cred: Creighton Baird
The Torch Team made a venture into Central Park hauling and carrying 10 foot boards. It seemed that everyone had no idea what we were carrying, or just wondering what kind of shenanigans we were up to . . . we could feel thousands of New Yorker's eyes preying us. We launched out and paddled like it was normal to paddleboard in Central Park, but soon realized that is is abnormal with pictures being taken from locals and tourists of us. Brand Mickelson (right) and Strat Streetman (left) boasted at the fame and continued to paddleboard as the romantic boaters realized that our Torch Paddles outweighed their perfect moment as the Torch light matched the brightness of the skyscrapers.
Torch team paddles Niagara Lake
Lake Havasu