Surfski Knowledge Base

Larry Goolsby
08/25/08 #4823

Having never done the Wild Side Relay, I decided that this year was
the time to make my first trip to the Columbia Gorge and see if it
was everything that Don Keisling and Jeff Hilburn had boasted about.
Mike G. and I were going down as a team and had made the decision to
stop and do the Great Cross Sound race on our way to the gorge. A
pretty full weekend to cram into two days but (leave Saturday and
come back Sunday) but we left extra early on Saturday and had an
awesome trip.
There was a lower number of entrants at the GCR this year and this
surprised me. This is a long running race that goes from Alki Beach
in Seattle, across to Bainbridge Island and back. The water was very
calm for the start of the race (0900) and it began with Joost and
Eric Moll juming out in front of the pack of skis and outriggers.
Mike and I were in his Fenn XT tandem while Rick and Marc were in the
club's XT tandem. They led us by about 1 boatlength across to the
first turn at a rock island but we managed to get ahead of them at
this point and take the lead. It looked like Joost was the first one
to this turn with Eric very close to his stern. The next turn is a
buoy and Mike and I could see a large male Sea Lion attempting to
jump up on the platform for a nap. Just as he made it onto the deck,
Mike and I passed near him and he barked angrily before diving back
into the water. After we passed this buoy, the Sea Lion remounted the
buoy only to get disturbed by Duncan Howat who seemed to piss the
mammal off even more (we could hear loud rapid barks). Next along was
a guy named Franklin in a Necky Phantom (with rudder removed) and the
Sea Lion dove off over the Phantom's bow, hitting the deck with his
tail as he slid into the water. Franklin was shaken but no damage was
done. The crossing back over to Alki became painful with mixed boat
wakes and you could not see the finish line. All you could do was
follow a boat in front of you and hope that they knew where they were
going. The morning glare and position of the sun made Alki beach look
like a dark shadow. We heard a tandem rower come up behind us and
they almost ran us over 3 times before we realized that Rick and Marc
were drafting off their wake (and probably telling them to run us
over). We finally let the rower get past us and also let the other XT
tandem get past by mistake. As long as they stayed with the tandem
rower, we could not take the lead back from them. Our hope was their
line over to Alki was going to cause them to turn and lose a little
time while we crossed the finish line. Didn't happen this way. Their
line was better than ours and they crossed a few seconds ahead of
us. We then found out that Eric and Joost had a similar battle and
Eric got the better line and beat Joost to the finish. Duncan secured
the third place ribbon and Franklin was right behind him for first in
the FSK class.
We blew off the awards ceremony and immediately continued on our
journey to the gorge. The trip there was uneventful (imagine that
with Mike as co-pilot) and we arrived at the start line only to find
Don Keisling's car but no Don. He was obviously out practicing on the
incredibly flat water of the Columbia. The winds were not blowing
despite the fact that it was hot and probably in the 80's. In fact,
there was actually a light easterly breeze that was blowing down
river instead of the westerly that was needed for this race to be a
success. Mike and I quickly got our singles (Sport and S1-R) off the
roof rack and hit the river in search of Don. It took us only 20-25
minutes to find him. There was a large river boat with a stern wheel
(like the old gambling boats) coming our way and I thought I saw a
kayak pop out from behind this large boat (ship?). We moved in closer
and saw Don and his buddy Cory riding their skis on the stern wave
that this boat throws off. The stern wake is a series of about 9-10
wakes that travel perpendicular to the direction that the boat is
going so you have an endless wave to ride as long as the stern
wheeler doesn't turn or stop. Mike and I jumped on a wake and once
you were on a wave, you could quit paddling and just enjoy the ride.
You would have to be there to see how it really was with about 25
tourists on the rear of the vessel watching the 4 of us playing on
the waves while we traveled at speeds between 10 and 11 mph and Don
has a camera in one hand while photografing us and the tourists. As
long as you stayed in a sweet spot, you could ride without letting
your paddle touch the water. Once we were back at the start line, we
parted from the stern wheeler and headed for shore. I knew that if
the wind didn't kick up for tomorrow's race, that I could always come
out and ride the wake on the stern wheeler.
Mike and I had reserved a camping spot up the hill from the river and
were glad that we did after noticing that a train came along the
river blaring it's horn about every 15 minutes. Living along this
part of the river would be awesome if you were deaf. Other racers
later told us that they didn't sleep much because of the constant
noise made by the trains.
We slept really well (in bed by 8:30 pm after a dinner of beer) and
awoke at about 6:30 am to blue sky and no wind. We broke camp and
went for a big breakfast at a little cafe before heading to the river
to meet at 0900 and wait for the wind. The start of the race was
delayed until signs of the winds arrival so one of the outrigger
paddlers and I set out looking for a stern wheeler. We paddled all
the way down to the Bonneville dam (4.5 miles) before we found it
giving a tour of the dam. Just as we got there, it started it's
journey back up river and we jumped on it's tail. I rode the number 5
wake all the way back except for when we went under one of the
bridges crossing the Columbia and the stren wakes became walls of
water because of the shallow depth. I popped out of the wake (not
wanting to be crushed) and then jumped back on the same wave once the
wave shrunk down to it's usual 3-4 foot height. After the bridge,
they must have let the town drunk do the steering because the boat
started weaving, and staying on the wake became a little difficult
until you figured out that you just need to keep your bow pointed at
his stern and you would stay on the wave. So we arrived back at the
start line just in time to hear them say that the race would start in
15 minutes (and no sign of wind yet).
Since I just did a 9+ mile warm-up, I quickly drank some gatorade and
got on the start line with the other 14 team members while Mike drove
our chase vehicle to the hand-off point for his first leg. This
beginning leg was flat and hot and I almost wanted to quit. It was 5
miles to the hand-off and Peter Newton, Simon and Jeff H. were in the
lead with me, Shane Martin (OC) and Cory in the next position. I saw
Peter N. fall back away from Jeff and Simon while Shane and Cory
gained some seconds on me. I was in the R and this was not the best
boat for flat conditions. About 2/3rds the way across, a slight
headwind started and by the time we beached, it was blowing 10+. The
order went Jeff, Simon, Peter, Cory Shane, then me with Pete Wylie
(Shane baker's partner) not far behind me. I quickly found the
vehicle and drove to the next hand-off where we arrived to find the
waves were now going upriver at a height of 1-2 feet. When Don came
in first (Jeff's partner) he said that they had actually hit a patch
of 4' waves along the way. At this hand-off, you were supposed to be
out of your boat and in the water and couldn't remount until you were
tagged by your partner. The first two teams out didn't adhere to this
and got a 10 second penalty but they already had a significant lead
on the rest of the pack. This was the start of my second and last leg
and at first I was still complaining about not bringing my Huki
Special when the waves seemed to grow very quickly. This leg went
fast because of the strong tailwind (15-20+ by now) and just as the
waves got really big (3-4'+) they became mixed and I have to say that
this is some of the best big water that I have ever paddled in. Easy
to catch rides and connect waves . I gained 2 positions on some
outriggers but almost overshot the hand-off (Swell City) because I
was so focused on the water. There was also several kite boarders and
windsurfers zig-zagging back and forth across the river making me
feel like a squirrel on a freeway. The other paddlers on shore were
shouting and blowing horns and I turned to see that I missed my hand-
off so I quickly paddled parallel with the waves and handed off to
Mike. This was Mike's last leg and it started with the big water and
only dreceased a little until he crossed under the bridge about a
mile before the finish and then it was just 1-2 footers until the
end. Shane martin did overshoot the hand-off at Swell City so his
partner Calvin had to borrow JD's OC and took off after him. Don K.
was the first in with a team time of 2:55:50 followed by John Mooney
(Peter's partner)and then Morris (Simon's partner). Mike hulied along
the way and this let Shane Baker sneak ahead for 4th. Shane did this
race in the Legend and loved the waves except for the fact that he
had his small rudder and broached several times. The Legend handled
well in the big stuff.
This is a great race. Next year I will be bugging everyone to go down
with us. This course is a world class run with all kinds of downwind
conditions once the wind kicks up. Mike and I didn't win anything but
the combo of the two races in one weekend made for a great road-trip.
Larry Goolsby

Re: Trip Report: Great Cross Sound and Wild Side Relay……
lori & beau whitehead
08/25/08 #4824

Larry forgot to mention my blue ribbon at the Great Cross Sound Race. Turns out, when you are the only one in your class (Stand Up Paddle Board) you automatically get a blue ribbon.
I wish it was so easy in bike racing. What a perfect day, other than no wind either direction and the dead cow floating in the middle of the course. And I mean moo- cow, not sea lion cow.
Good job to all the B'hamsters who showed up.
Beau

Re: Trip Report: Great Cross Sound and Wild Side Relay……
Larry Goolsby
08/25/08 #4825

Oops! Sorry Beau….I should also mention that you came in ahead of a
handful of sea kayaks. This alone should get you a big blue ribbon….
LG

Re: Trip Report: Great Cross Sound and Wild Side Relay……
lori & beau whitehead
08/25/08 #4826

Yes, I think I beat a couple of doubles being paddled by 80 year olds! VERY strong 80 year olds.

Re: Trip Report: Great Cross Sound and Wild Side Relay……
Shane Baker
08/25/08 #4827

My thoughts on the weekend. I did both races also. Up at 4 am
Saturday to catch an early ferry. It was the 30th Great Cross Sound,
25 finishes for me out of 26 starts. We experienced perhaps the
flattest water ever. I raced in a double sea kayak with SR President,
Steve Bennett. Steve had just had a heart procedure done last week.
He said he would do his best. We did pretty well, Steve took a few
seconds off from paddling here and there. Beau had contacted me
regarding him using the stand up paddle board in the race. I said yes
he could. In the early GXS races there were a lot of rubber dinghies,
home made row boats, open canoes, a couple of Flatwater K-1s. Our
mission statement states any seaworthy human powered watercraft. We
have had a traditional lay down on paddle board in some previous SR
races. The award ceremony got started right after the last racer
crossed the line. Thanks to the Knakal's for putting on this race
every year and to Beverly Storb who heads up the registration and
timing. Following the GXS we had a SR Executive Board planning
meeting, it lasted 3+ hours. For those of you who aren't involved,
there is a lot of planning going in to the area's canoe, kayak and
rowing races. Perhaps you should volunteer and get involved. I ran
into Joost putting on his scuba gear following the race award
ceremony. He was headed out solo for a dive just south of the race
site at Alki.
Sunday morning was another up at 4 am thing and hit the road. We got
to Bob's Beach in Stevenson before 9 and waited for the wind. I did
the Wildside Relay with Pete Wylie on our surfskis. Some thoughts re
the Legend: it picked up the 2-3' waves and flew, the acceleration
startling. I had a 6-7“ rudder on and when it was out of the water I
couldn't control the direction of the ski unless I dragged the paddle
blade. It would skid sideways at an alarming rate. At one point I
stalled between two tall standing waves, zero rudder control, and
fought to stay upright. I floundered for what seemed forever before I
was able to accelerate up and over the wave in front of me. I lost
150 meters to Jeff Norville from Portland. The same thing happened
last year to me at that stage of the race while I was paddling my
Huki with a small rudder. Next year I'm swinging wide of those waves.
Every one of these skis is a compromise, it is the engine that wins
races. The rudder on this day could have been deeper and further
forward. I recorded my fastest ever max speed of 17.0 mph somewhere
on legs 2 or 4 of the race. Larry stated that I caught Mike and
passed him because he hulied. I was 600-800 meters behind Mike when I
got back in the race following the hand off from Pete. In the 5 miles
to Bingen, I made up that distance and put another minute on him.
Mike told me that flipped when he saw me out of the corner of his eye
and lost concentration for a second. Some of you will Remember Cory
Lancaster from a few years back. He was a student at Pullman at the
time and used to do some of the SR races. He was in town and staying
with Don K. It was good to catch up with him. He is married and
living in Boston This year's winning time was 12 minutes slower than
last year's. Same team of Don and Jeff. The grub at the Mexican
restaurant was great. I got home around 10:30 pm, tired but happy.
Sorry about rambling on.
Shane.

Re: Trip Report: Great Cross Sound and Wild Side Relay……
Michael Gregory
08/25/08 #4828

-There is no one I would rather be out-raced by than Shane. He is a wily racer, loves to paddle, and never backs off in a dice.
I hulied 'cause I am an inveterate paddling klutz (don't act surprised now) and because when I spotted Shane I knew I was in deep doo-doo out there. Oh well, it's all good - right?
-Hat's-off to the organizations behind Cross Sound and Wildside. May there always be wind at your races.
Best, Mike.

Re: Trip Report: Great Cross Sound and Wild Side Relay……
Reivers Dustin
08/25/08 #4829

Shane, you should know: this whole chat group is just rambling.
Great post buddy.

I really missed the Great Cross Sound. I had extra work this week
and somehow when I woke up Saturday it wasn't race day yet. I showed
for the regular Sat run and slowly realized my error. Like realizing
half-way through a semester at college that you are in a class you've
never attended. D'oh.

You've captured it Shane, about the Legend. The thing leaps onto
waves with reckless abandon. You barely know its doing it. Anything
over about 6 inches is yours for two strokes or less. But it wants
to slide. That's that crow-hop I was feeling when it was junk water
in the bay. If they could move the rudder forward about three feet
and put a skag in front of it …. maybe it would behave itself. I'm
impressed that you didn't get bucked off.

Wildside is on my bucket list.

rd

I Have River Fever……..
Larry Goolsby
08/26/08 #4836

Went out on the bay today and I noticed that I was a bit lethargic as I
headed for the Wall. Got down to the wall and all I could think about
was that how these bumps were only miniscule compared to the ones at
Swell City in the Gorge. I paddled like a wounded duck. I finally
realized that I have River Fever and I need to make a return trip. I
would hate to miss Peter's party on the 6th and I am planning on doing
the Length-o-Lake on the 20th, but I could be persuaded to to make a
Gorge roadtrip on the 13th-14th. Drive down early, catch the stern
wheeler for the 11 am run, drink beer at the Walking man Brew Pub, camp
up away from the trains, wake up Sunday and paddle downriver from
Bingen (15 miles) and catch the wind back. It could be done. Think
about it….
LG

Re: I Have River Fever……..
Michael Gregory
08/26/08 #4837

Omigod! LG there is a cure! You just come on to NorCal in about 3 weeks. Get ya fixed up, good as new! No worriez!
Got them Pt Diablo Blues, baby. Meanest blues you ever had. Salt water in yer veins aaand big ole waves right on your head!
Mmmm, that's right - gonna be just fine.
MG