Surfski Knowledge Base

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.