Surfski Knowledge Base

Jill Komoto
07/17/16 #19719

Since most of the OC paddlers are still at the Gorge for more fun, I thought I’d post a quick re-cap. This was the 20th anniversary of the Gorge Outrigger Race. The first race was held in 1997, and I (as a novice steersperson, third long distance race steering), steered our Seattle women’s crew to a first place finish. In those days, we had no idea what to expect and put blue tarps on for seats 1 and 2, while the rest of us suffered. Thus, it is somewhat fitting for the 20th anniversary of the Gorge Outrigger races, that the BBOP crew, steered by Alan (my husband), blazes to a first place win in the Spec (400 lb canoe), overall 7th place behind 6 unlimited canoes (most weighing under 200 pounds). The crew: Collin Smith, Lance Romo, Jason Michael Park, Gabe Starbuck, Dan Moseley, Alan. In this downwinder version, the women/mixed raced from Stevenson to Drano Lake, and the men raced from Drano Lake to Bingen. The rest of the BBOP did well too- first place masters mixed, third place senior masters mixed and fifth place open mixed.

Men’s race results: https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=74622

Women’s/mixed: https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=74632

Jill

Michael Van Derwater
07/17/16 #19720

Congrats to the BBOP crew! They Crushed it! I had a front row view (or maybe row 6 view) as i was steering one of those 140lb unlimited canoe sparring with Alan. I kept thinking, how are they moving so fast in a spec canoe? Then I thought…Stop asking questions and just stay close because he definitely has the best line and that crew is looking tight. Very impressive BBOP!

-Michael