Surfski Knowledge Base

Larry Goolsby
05/29/16 #19387

to leave Zuanich Park. Here is what happened.

When Duncan said that he would not be racing this year, I had decided not to partake in the 2016 S2S race. Then my girlfriend's son decided he wanted to put together a family team. I agreed to be their paddler. The name of the team was 'The Family' and our number was 292 (look them up). He had put a team together last year but was given a DNF because he fell in no less than 12 times while trying to cross the bay. By being their kayaker, I could insure that they might get their first finish. The race started poorly for us; our cross country skier didn't really know how to ski and was seen side stepping up all the hills, while falling down when descending. He was the last skier in. This bad luck was shared with our downhill skier (a snowboarder) and he also finished last. The fun did not stop there, but I'll spare you those details. After I received a text that our mountain biker was finally on the trail (it was almost 4 pm). I waited and waited. At 4:30, I was the only kayaker left at Zuanich. The officials warned me that if my biker didn't show by 4:30, I had the choice of early release (really a late release) or they would DNF my team. They even had the nerve to tell me that the Coast Guard would stop me from crossing the bay. Did I mention that my biker was riding a single speed bike? I drug my butt over to the early release tent and very slowly explained the situation. I was stalling. They gave me a timing chip and I fuddled with getting it on my wrist. The officials at this point decided to help me get it on my wrist. Just then, my biker appeared. I threw down the chip and bolted from the tent. Nobody tried to stop me. I grabbed the wristband, scanned it and ran for my boat. This is the weird thing - there wasn't a single boat or spectator all the way down to the ramp. I glanced at the bay and saw kayaks nearing the tripod of pilons. Who in the hell came up with this stupid rule that we had to pass on the right side of the pilons? Kayaks were going on both sides and nobody seemed to be taking names. At first it appeared that I had only 20 other boats ahead of me. By the time I got to the outfall buoy, I had 18 kayak skins hanging from my belt. At the Georgia Pacific turn, I was up to 29. Before I reached the drydock, I had counted 50 and quit counting. I think I must have passed sixty boats before I hit the beach. This was the most fun I have ever had at Ski to Sea race. The Brionez family lives to race another day.
Larry G.

Nicholas Cryder
05/30/16 #19388

Love this. I'm reminded that the best paddler is the one having the most fun. Too bad you didn't pass a statey, he would have ticketed you for reckless bewilderment and paddling under the influence of desperation.

Larry Bussinger
05/30/16 #19390

See how much fun you could have had Reivers!
Larry B