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==== NEW RACE??? Bellingham Bay Rough Water Classic March 19th??? ====

**Pmarcus** \\
02/07/11 #10004

HI All,

It appears there is quite a gap in the next two months with the only semi-local race prior to the Jetty Island Race in Everett (April 23rd) will be the PNWORC Clubs False Creek Race (March 12th) in Vancouver, B.C.

An idea: (Dean B's idea actually) I can provide a safety boat or two and buoys and set up the NEW Bellingham Bay Rough Water Classic on the 19th of March or the 5th of March.

Start off Marine Park, Turn one:Post Point Buoy Turn Two:Outfall Buoy Turn Three:Buoy set in by Cornwall Beach. Come back through the start line at Marine Park, Two Loops! Spectator friendly…..

Approximate Mileage: 8.5 miles (SUP's One Loop?)

Feedback Please!!! Hopefully not stepping on anyones Race toes??! Suggestions welcome!

Cheers, Peter

**Shane Baker** \\
02/07/11 #10006

Peter,\\
Great idea. Steve Bennett and I had a discussion at La Conner regarding the gap in SR races. We were going to come up with another race but don't need to now. Thank you.\\
Shane.

**John Rybczyk** \\
02/07/11 #10007

Hi Peter,

Ok, so hang with me here: I've secretly wanted to make the the Dan Harris Challenge a downwinder event: Larabee to Squalicum Harbor, but the logistics were too cumbersome, and the date is fixed, so there would always be the possibility of no wind on race day (a virtual certainty if I was counting on wind).

Then the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Surfing Classic (held only if and when the waves at Waimea Bay are huge and announced on moments notice) gave me the idea of having a Bellingham Downwinder Classic, held only if the down-winds are good. Like the Eddie Aikau contest, the race would be "on call", announced here at a moments notice, to be a go only if the winds are steady from the south. Anyway, maybe this could happen in March. I know I'm just dreaming, and the problems are many, but wouldn't it be fun to have our own downwinder race?

In any event, I think that your idea for a March race is a good one. Maybe have the option of a one-lap race for slower folks?

John Rybczyk

**Michael Gregory** \\
02/07/11 #10008

Potentially challenging, but compact and easily monitored course. Nice. Let's do it! But, maybe 3 laps for SUP's? Mike.

**dnjacobson79** 02/07/11 #10009

Sounds good!! How about making it a true downwinder race?? Start at Wildcat Cove, inside Dot Island, Inside Post Point Buoy, finish at the Corner Pocket at Cornwall Beach. Keeping inside the island and inside the buoy would keep folks from straying to the middle of the bay and help with safety etc.. We could even put of marker next to the wall to make folks have to deal with the wall if the conditions are right. Run the race reverse if we're lucky enough for a north winder….. just my two cents… more local races the better!\\
DJ

**Brandon Nelson <brandon@…>** \\
02/08/11 #10012

Peter, it’s awesome watching you launch new events. As much time as we spend racing on the Lake with the Wednesday nighters, it does seem fitting to add some more Bay racing to balance things out. Right now, with race season just around the corner, all these ideas sound fun. Being on-call for a race sounds awesome, as long as the safety boats were a sure thing. If you do decide to go for a set date, I’d vote for March 19th over the 5th, just because Heather’s due on the 8th and knowing her she’d want to be out there, too. Also, if you choose to do your loop course, for enhanced spectator friendliness adding a turn under the Taylor St. dock keeps everyone in close to shore the full length of the boardwalk.

Nice work, Peter.

Brandon

**allipp01** 02/08/11 #10013

I think a downwinder would be a great plan!

**lori & beau whitehead** \\
02/08/11 #10014

Great plan Peter. One idea… you could set a date, say the 19th. And if it looks to be a good wind day… do the down wind course. If the wind doesn't cooperate, do the 2 lap race. Make the call that morning.\\
Call it the "Great Blow or No Race"

Beau Whitehead

**Reivers Dustin** \\
02/08/11 #10015

Gracious Sakes! You folks must be tired of hibernating.

Excellent ideas popping out all over.

I would like to caution that northerlies have been unkind to me in the bay. They switch around a lot and if you are anywhere past Post Point Buoy you've got poor escape routes. Similar with westerlies, except the wave patterns suck when it blows from the west. The director has to keep the lowest common denominator in mind, since there is no good way to limit entries.

My favorites: 1) ambidextrous race (wind route option) 2) have one leg along Taylor dock (can someone hand me a Wood's Coffee Latte?) 3) Ides of March race anywhere nearby.

rd

Dale McKinnon\\
02/08/11 #10016

Actually, there is a way to limit entries. Base entries on the ratio of safety boats (and/or Rescue Kayaks) to entrants… say 1:10 or 1:13? If the race stays close to shore, within 100 yards of the Wall, it could be a higher ratio. If you have only two safety boats, and you're starting at Wildcat, it will be a saner event.

**gabe newton** 02/08/11 #10017

Three cheers for a downwinder!

**Eric Grossman** \\
02/08/11 #10018

I might be in Hawaii but if here, It would be awesome to have a "Due for a Downwinder" Race.\\
Eric

**dnjacobson79** 02/08/11 #10020

Hey Peter,\\
If the race is on the 19th we can have the mandatory post race party at our place. Once the beer starts to flow there will be plenty of 'would of, could of, and should of'…plus with the help of Morris we can analyze our GPS lines till the cows come home. What are you going to call this race (hopefully downwinder!!!); "Peter's Happy Paddle" or PHP for short??\\
DJ

PS- I heard Mike was going to put up for a hot-spot, we know Duncan always is keen on supporting local hot-spots, and I think Kirk owes funding the 'swim to win' Wild Turkey prize after his performance at the paddle fo' food.

**Brandon Nelson <brandon@…>** \\
02/08/11 #10021

Good reminder about the hot spots, DJ. I’ve had your Paddle for Food hot spot prize “seasoning” long enough. You around your house today? I’ll bring it by…

B
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