Surfski Knowledge Base

Bob Putnam
06/28/15 #17611

It was the most challenging Round Bowen Race in recent years with 60 + paddlers battling the wind and waves. With course options such as half race, relay race or full race there was an option for everybody. But for novice surfski paddlers and paddle boarders hoping for benign conditions, they didn't get there wishes. Stable skis were the order of the day and normally fast flatwater guys got spanked in the tumultuous first half of the race. This was a great warm up for the July 18 Canadian Surfski Champs where lately downwind conditions have been excellent.

In attendance, were the usual Vancouver suspects, 19 year old Ken Rice from South Africa, (yes, Sean's younger brother) a group of solid OC and surfski paddlers from the Okanagan's new Kelowna Paddling Centre lead by former National Kayak Team member Greg Redman. Olympic K2 Gold Medalist from the LA Olympics Hugh Fischer who preparing for the canadian Surfski Champs and World Marathon Champs, Lone Bellinghamster, Steve Scoggins, and a few new surfski paddlers from Victoria. Rounding out the field were paddler boarders and OC Paddlers. Unfortunately another to be un-named strong competitor ended up on the ferry to Nanaimo…not Bowen Island….ooops,

A circular race route with wind means only one thing, half headwind and half downwind and that is exactly what was served up. It was agreed upon by local avid surfski paddlers and Bowen Island-ites that a counter clockwise route would deliver the best conditions. Off the start conditions allowed for a nice warm up and the pace was somewhat subdued. Nobody really hammered considering instead the 32 km laid ahead. I was paddling back to the start some 300 yards away when I saw paddles up and heard the horn. I did an about face and merged my way into the pace amongst my usual competitors. As wind rounded Hood Point, the NW head winds made their presence known, The lead group was made up of Ken Rice, Canadian Surfski Champ, Wes Hammer, Shane Martin, Greg Redman, not far back was Steve Scoggins, Daryl Remmler. A bit back congregated around the Hope Bros double, was Warren Bruce, myself, Bruce Mctaggart, Hugh Fischer, and John George. So paddling into a headwind is like cycling up hill and everybody stays in sight. The further we progressed the stronger the wind and bigger the wind waves. We were bouncing through 2-3 foot waves and a bit of swell. Winds were a solid 20 knots. Our destination, Cape Roger Curtis(CRC) was felt like miles away especially after the final gauntlet of Tunstall Bay where conditions became “side-on”

The first half of the race was a true test of ones balance, and by the time you got to CRC, your core muscles were shot. But you had to salvage your reserves because this is where the runs started. They were a combination of swell from the 40 km fetch, wind waves, reflective waves and some current thrown in. The runs were good but you had to dig deep to catch them. With every effort I made to catch a run I could feel the diminishing gas slopping around the bottom of my tank. But by not trying to catch every run and only catching the runs I knew I could get, I was able to preserve. I came upon Hugh Fischer being helped back into his ski by a short course sea kayaker. Hugh later told me that when he capsized every muscle in his body cramped. “Who would have thought that your forearm and bi-cep can cramp at the same time.

The downwind remained good until Cowan Pt where they became mini-runs and then diminished to flat for the final 5 km push to the finish. As usual, the past race Salmon BBQ and beer was fabulous, where there were plenty of tales of glory and stories of woe.

Steve “The Pride of Bellingham” Scoggins was solid in the race. Grabbing the rough water dragon by the tail and giving it a good shake. Steve placed a respectable 5th place. Canadian Surfski Champion and RBC course record holder Wes Hammer was in second, but nearly 15 minutes behind winner 19 year old Ken Rice. Fortunatley for Hammer conditions didn't allow for a record time.

I hope to see you all at the Canadian Surfski Champs July 18. Please get your registrations in ASAP. It'll be a good one.

Regards

Bob

https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=45800

Bob Putnam

06/28/15 #17612

Cape Roger Curtis Winds

Bob Putnam
06/28/15 #17613

RBC Animation Map

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp6tC87uVTM&feature=youtu.be

Steve Scoggins
06/28/15 #17615

Excellent synopsis Bob. I agree on all points excluding the “pride of Bellingham” bit. I'm pretty sure the folks around here have a less flattering nickname for me. :)

Steve

paul clement 06/28/15 #17616

Steve,
Which boat did you paddle up there? And for the record, “Pride of Bellingham” works pretty well.
pc

saltspringken
06/28/15 #17617

Yesterday was my sixth Bowen Race over the course of 10 years. Didn't think I would show this year as I didn't feel up to the abuse of the whole course. When I saw there was a half course option, I decided to go for it. Luanne is relatively new to surf ski paddling and decided to throw her hat into the ring as well. Some of the past Bowen Races were cold and rough, others warm and flat. Cape Roger Curtis has at times been like a mill pond and challenging others. I think Reivers posted some insightful thoughts on Cape Roger Curtis a while back. Riding over on the ferry from Nanaimo on Friday I could see waves breaking on the Cape from a long distance. If conditions were the same on Saturday I knew it could be interesting. The short course paddlers were a mix of experienced veterans and some new paddlers. Shortly before the start hearing a safety boat driver comment on the rough conditions around CRC made me think this could be fun or a mess. As it turned out there were a few new members of the Bowen Island Swim Team and a few that got a free ride in a safety boat. I was impressed to see some of the newer paddlers step up and deal with the challenge. I must admit I worried about Luanne and some of the others when I got to the bumps that CRC offered up but had to trust that all would be fine and paddle my own race. As it turned out she did great and everybody survived just fine. The safety crew did their job well when needed.The masochist in me felt like I should have done the long course but overall I was glad the new 13k option was there. Hopefully it will bring more paddlers to this event in the future. Don't even want to talk about the SUPs that did the whole course. That is a whole other league of machoism in my mind but happy to see people with that kind of spunk or ????

It was great to see Martin still involved in the race and the smooth transition to Brent as the new owner and race director. Great food, beer and conversation at the end put a great spin on the event. Don't think anybody is getting rich putting on this race and hope Brent is willing to keep spending his time and efforts in the future to keep the tradition alive.

Cheers,
Ken

Steve Scoggins
06/28/15 #17618

I went with the Fenn S. That boat is a rock star in the bumps.
Steve

David Scherrer

06/28/15 #17619

“Pride of Bellingham”….not too bad really. Have to admit…..he does make a mean pizza!

D.