Surfski Knowledge Base

---

Re: Canadian Champs

Bob Putnam
07/02/14 #15878

While I regard Reivers as one of the craftiest racers on the west coast, the Canadian Surfski Champs course will require some savvy route finding and navigation. In ideal conditions the runs are nice, especially if you are new to downwind.

The start will take place in a sheltered bay just south of Porteau Cove, there will be a 2 km sprint to the Think Kayak Hot Spot, Fastest guy gets $1000, fastest Women gets $500. Waves should be side on for this short leg.

It is up to Sir Daryl Remmler to anchor the Think Buoy here, which should be a challenge as most of the water is about 1000 feet deep, but there is an underwater mountain peak that is about 200 feet below the surface. But it was pointed out by Warren Bruce during our poignant discussion at our post Tuesday Night Race beverage fest that it is not a mountain peak but in fact it is a terminus moraine from an ancient glacier, some 10,000 years ago. That makes it all that much more alluring. We are racing up a dramatic coastal fjord.

A right hand turn at the buoy, then its all down wind. Usually the waves start fairly mushy, but then start building, and then culminate at Watts point. A strange phenomena I have noticed is that near Watts Point depth perception becomes skewed, due to the translucent colour of the glacial waters.

Once you round Watts Point the magnificent Stawamus Chief comes into view. The Chief is touted as being the highest “granite” rock face in North America. However, due to its size it give you the perception as being very close to the finish but you still have a ways to go. All the wave conditions change and its and this is where your route selection can make a difference, due to the outflow of the Squamish River and the crazy winds that are deflecting off the vertical walls of the fjord. As you approach the top of the harbour the waves get wonky, that's a technical term. They become steep and tight, and this is where you need to keep an eye out for kite boarders buzzing back and forth

If you think of the harbour as being a clock face the Mamquam Blind Channel, where the finish is located is at about 2 O'Clock. It should be pointed out that this is a different finish area than what has been used in the past. There will be about a 2 km flat water sprint into downtown Squamish. Currents from the Squamish River are not coming from the head of the harbour but are from about 11 O'clock and bisecting the harbour. So the question is, whether taking evasive action from the current is worth the extra distance.

So for those of you who are still considering, I would suggest you make a commitment by signing up ASAP, and then put your nose to the grind stone and start logging some miles, tune up your rough water skills, and practice your remount so it is bomber.

CAN Champs tactics
Reivers Dustin
07/03/14 #15889

Good point Vanessa. What the group mostly wants to talk about is racing. The CAN Champs course is going to be pretty tame by world circuit standards. Bob P. tells me they gave this a lot of thought because they want everyone to have a good time. The big dogs like heavy stuff, but a lot of them also try to squeek out a living from the sport. So they need us regulars. All the Canadian races I've done have been explosive with enthusiasm and really fun. I'm hoping we get a lot of the regular weekly Deep Cove crowd.

I expect decent waves, but not like Bellingham bay stuff. Because the wind builds and is funneled into the fjord there's little to no reflected waves. There's rarely powerboat traffic. So waves stay pretty organized. Doing this course years ago was one of the first times I really started hooking up with waves. This is why I sometimes get big credit. I'm like the hopeless golfer who hits one monster shot when people are looking. Then everyone goes around saying things like, 'he's got potential' or some stuff like that.

There is a twist that throws tactics into this race. There's a big headland about 2/3 through that can effect the best line for wind/waves. Also, the river current moves around against the racers somewhere in there. But there's no magic best line. Water level (tide), river volume and probably some other wierd stuff moves the fresh water flow around. Also, the wind funnels into the last mile or so and with counter-current begins to stack the waves. They stay organized, but they get peaky and close together. And just in case you want a refreshing dip, this is ice-melt so you won't want extra swims.

One of my first times on this course I found a really great angle for my boat on the waves and just flew. I found myself going out far to the left of everyone going straight line. But I didn't care I was delerious with the speed. So I held left clear into the other side of the fjord just for the great rides. When I finally started looking for the finish line I found I was in front with some really big dogs. I didn't do as well as the big guys when it got choppy near the finish, but was far enough ahead to surprise a lot of my arch rivals. I had a good day. The legend had begun. For icing on the cake, someone really cool put a fantastic Canadian beer in my hands. I think it was called “Golden”. It was from that store there in Squamish and I've never seen that beer again. By the way, that cool person is still a member of our gang, but has created a wonderful family and reduced her paddling time a lot. Life is good.

rd