Surfski Knowledge Base

Larry Goolsby
12/12/09 #7544

Probably one of the most scenic races in the northwest and today it was definitely the biggest. Last I heard, there were 170 paddlers registered and even though a couple dropped out at the last minute, a couple more showed up unexpectedly. A handful were on paddle boards, most were in sea kayaks, Michael Lampi had some kind of shell over his peddle boat that made it look like a tent (picture please), a couple dozen surfskis, some outriggers, and a single rower who was the infamous Tyler Peterson. This race is organized so well that 170 paddlers did not seem to slow down registration or the start. The starting line was long enough so that we didn't seem cramped and the race started on time like races should.

Shaun and I were in the tandem and we took off strong with the intent that we would cut back our speed once we were out of the clutter. At first there were no other boats in front of us but eventually, Tyler pulled past us with Greg Barton behind him. We dropped in behind Greg to draft him but this soon proved to be an exercise in futility. I turned to see who was behind us and could see Bob Putnam's boat and Erik Borgnes (a surprise visit) in Mikey's V-12. Mike was in his tandem with a young lady that sounded English and judging by their speed, she was obviously a Formula 1 engine in her past life. So at about the first turn around the West side of Deception Island, we settled into a position of Greg first, Tyler second, we were third, and Erik was a strong fourth trying to become third.

Conditions were pretty flat except for the occasional wake created by the rescue boats that don't have a throttle, they were either idling or going full speed with nothing in between. However, I have grown to adore how they can take flat water and actually make it more interesting. Anyway, by the time we crossed under the bridge, the main pack was falling further behind us as we wound our way through the pass looking for the best current. Shaun was the pilot and navigator and I played the part of the stewardess, so Shaun had full control of our destiny. Some time around the halfway point, Erik became bored with our serpentine route and pulled out to pass us. We jumped in behind Erik and let him guide us through the pass and then the kelp beds that hugged Deception Island.

On the last stretch Erik increased his lead and secured third overall and second in the surfski division. Greg was first overall with Tyler second. We got first in doubles and then watched DJ come in for third in surfski with Hegadus not far behind. Don't know how everyone else finished and didn't really care. The food was so awesome with fresh salad, soup, and a bread bowl filled with Chili. Shaun and I didn't stay for the awards because we both had obligations that afternoon. A great race that was well organized and Bill Walker needs a standing applause for pulling this off so well.
Larry G.

Re: The Dash……
Reivers Dustin
12/12/09 #7545

Mid-pack report.

I missed the adrenalyne factor from last year. It was really a flat water race. Even though the currents were there they weren't bruising pre-frontal cortex's like in past years. OK, so with all that it was good in a kind of Forest Gump's chocolate way. Much better conditions for spectators.

The start was great. I was right on Brian & Eric, but could see the HR going past 155 and had to drop. Besides, they had a camera which would show up on YouTube proving how Reivers was a shameless wake-whore. I could see a pack from the right line getting ahead, but had my hands full dicing with an OC-2 and double-ski around the first island. Once around, MG with that British Formula-1 engine got past. The OC-2, two double-skis and I messed around in the kelp with each other (thank goodness there were no cameras) and up ahead (gasp!) I see Roger L. I want to know what he had for breakfast. Jeepers Creepers. Roger and I dueled until I tricked him into paddling into a log at the half-way point. As we turned I kept hoping for more current. The race was just so totally different than last year.

I was seeing the pack up ahead break up and reform - hoping to pick up stragglers. Bob P. was in my sights, but he hooked up with one of the doubles. Then as we turn at the last island I can hear heavy breathing behind me. Sure enough: Roger, MG & Engine, and Tracy C. plus Shane B. in a fast double were eating up my personal space. Dang. That was a long pull up to the dock. My shoulders were gone and I was paddling w/o raising my hands over my kneecaps. Later, Tracy and Shane shared with me how amusing that looked. And offered some pointers.

Somehow I limped across before these guys. But if the course would have been 20 feet longer, I'm not sure about the result.

It was fun to hear DJ talk about hanging with Greg B. (a little). I could also see LG and Shaun working on Erik. Those guys were flying. I put this race on a par with the Samish race for quality of organization. A lot of the bugs were worked out from previous years. This year a guy could have had fun in an innertube with swim-fins. Last year was at the outer edge of crazy.

Great stuff.

Re: The Dash……
rlingblo <rlingblo@…>
12/12/09 #7546

Mid-pack report? Hardly! There were a number of Whatcom paddlers in the top 10% (including Reivers)and an over all good showing by the rest of us (my opinion). Roger was in fact a wild man … went from being the last HPK last year to 14th overall this year … yikes! I had a lot of fun, but like Reivers said, much different than last year. Where was that monster wall of water? Also the overall speed of the water seemed a bit slower … OK, wait, maybe that was just me. The paddle boarders showed up which was cool … although it would have been even more cool to watch them surf the stuff we had last year! Also nice to see the Canadians! Well organized, awesome food, and a great venue!

Re: The Dash……
lori & beau whitehead
12/12/09 #7547

This is the true mid-pack report (or rear-pack) as I finished 104th out of 158 vessels, first stand-up dude. The SUP turn-out was a tad small & rougher water would have been a bit more fun (but not like last year.) The roughest water for me was the boat wakes at the start line. Heather N. was only about 6 minutes behind me at the finish. Great job Heather. Heather paddling a SUP allowed some folks to finally say they beat her on the water. Just this once.

When we did the test run in October under similar tides/currents/winds, I completed the course in 1:14 on a 18' SUP. Today on a 12' board, my time was….. 1:14. Weird. Tells me the Johnson Outdoors prototype is damn fast for a 12' board… thanks guys!

Don K. and his pal deserves kudos for completing the course on prone paddle boards, using only their hands for propulsion. I think they did the course in under 1:10.

If you were in the race & you are reading this, Greg B. beat you.

Out.

Beau Whitehead
http://paddlesurfnorthwest.blogspot.com/

Re: The Dash……
Jeff Hegedus <jhegedus@…>
12/12/09 #7548

And of course, every year, SOMEONE has to hit a rock, and this year it was me! At the half way point, I heard sudden strange voices deep inside my head telling me to make a move on DJ. Yes, preposterous, but, you know how those voices can be. We were in the kelp bed off Pass Island, and an unknown force inexplicably turned my rudder left to cut inside of him and GO. I saw the rock too late, braced not hard enough, and bam came to a dead stop! Bent shaft, ugh. Even worse, I had lost a sweet draft, ugh. But what a great day!

The Dash Photos (part one)
Michael Lampi
12/13/09 #7549

The photos I took, with a couple by Nadja, and some short movies can be found at:
http://snorlax.lampi.us/images/Deception%20Pass%202009/index.html

We were definitely at the tail of the pack.

Note: the photos appear to be a bit dark when I checked things on another computer. Apparently the LCD monitor on the system where I process the photos is getting brighter in its old age and any adjustments to it cause it to flicker horribly. Time to go shopping for a new one

Michael Lampi