Surfski Knowledge Base

PGP: What REALLY happened out there…
Brandon Nelson <brandon@…>
08/28/11 #11260

Like any new event of this size, we had a handful of hiccups. First one was the starting line. We knew, with wind and waves pushing, we’d be doing a drifting start. These are always somewhat chaotic and “unfair” to anyone who’s not right up on the line; (call it the “DJ zone”). Our starting sequence was pretty simple: Plan on a 10:10 a.m. start right in front of Woods Coffee; listen for 3 short horn blasts to indicate 3 minutes ‘til the race start, then one long blast to start. For 90% of the racers, it appeared to work perfectly; they were ready to go, drifting north at about 2/3 of full race pace (while starting to yell to me to “Start!!! Start!!!”), and then took off like banshees upon the long blast – which sounded at exactly 10:10 a.m.

At the horn, there were another 10% or so of the racers stretched out anywhere between the back of the pack and practically tucked inside the glassy waters off the Ferry Terminal. Those guys yelled as they passed by, too, only it was more in the line of “WTF?” Sorry, guys. Next year I will put much, MUCH more emphasis on the importance of being ready to start, staying in the general vicinity of the starting area, and letting out-of-towners know exactly where Woods Coffee is.

Next hiccup: The weather. Before the end of the 1st lap, we realized that because of the strengthening winds and waves, it would likely be dinner time before some slower boats and SUPs were off the water. We decided on the fly to shorten the SUP’s race to 3 laps, while everyone else would do all 4. As SUPs passed the finish area, we’d bullhorn out to them, “SUP RACER – you’re only doing 3 laps. All other boats do all four!!!” Without exception, every SUP’er shouted gratitude and shot their fist in the air! Headwinds and SUPs aren’t exactly a match made in heaven.

Forgetting how rumors spread amongst the WhatcomPaddlers crowd, I failed to anticipate the on-water, racer-to-racer conveyance of the story, and that be the time it reached none other than Reivers, Mike Gregory and Duncan, it would have morphed into: “Sixty-and-over surfskiers only have to do 3 laps!!!”

The rest of the finish-line crew and I scratched our heads as we watched Reivers floating alone, legs out, reclined like he was waiting for Pete Wells to paddle up with a free beer, and figuring he was injured somehow. I finally shouted out to him, “Reivers, do you need help getting out?” Sometime in the next minute, one of us finally figured out that he must’ve thought he was done, and in less time than you can say, “I’ve been bamboozled!” he was stroking like Mocke back onto the course.

NOTHING even remotely this obvious happened to Gregory or Duncan. They were in mid-course, going into the final lap, when they apparently just decided to start surfing. Totally understandable.

Reivers OFFICIALLY finished the whole course and – I’m sorry guys, if we had age groups – which we will next year – would’ve been on the podium!!! (Gregory and Duncan, not so much.)

Hiccups are inevitable on race day. So it total AWESOMENESS!!! We had both at the PGP!

B

Pmarcus

08/28/11 #11262

Hey Brandon……No worries from this back in the pack starter…..I think a lot of us heard the initial three blast but from up wind it totally sounded like a single, pay attention blast, so we just took our time getting back to the line anticipating the starting sequence horn…I had to yell at Eric G. to turn around as he didn't hear it very well either…….liked the course though, which ever way you decide to go!

Cheers, Peter

Brandon Nelson <brandon@…>

08/28/11 #11263

Peter, you were a ROCKSTAR yesterday and it’s much appreciated! Meeting me at 7 a.m. sharp to set the course buoys, taking over grill duty and just generally owning a lot of responsibility at key times. AND making it to the podium!

Thanks again and again, bro.

Brandon