Surfski Knowledge Base

Jeff Hegedus <jhegedus@…>
05/30/11 #10750

Hey everyone, I just wanted to say congratulations to those who raced yesterday in waters that were maybe a tad beyond their experience base. Nice job, that later in the day sustained 20 mph chop was some good 'looking in the mirror' stuff… way to go!

Gerardo Andaluz
05/30/11 #10751

Survived the first mile then I was nicely escorted by the Sheriff back to Zuanich… already looking forward to next year's.

Reivers Dustin
05/30/11 #10752

There is plenty of post race discussion by leg chairman folk, coast guard, sherriff dept and community leaders. These are the folks in the line of fire if there is a serious loss during the race. For us as racers it is simple: we can make the call. But for them it is not. Get this: your heirs, relatives and whatever attorneys might go after them no matter your wishes.

On the kayak leg, many are saying that the race should have been shut down very early on. For most of you reading this, that might seem knee-jerk. But I paddled back to the start and saw that late-pack thundering herd going out.

It was like a different race. It's the general public. Young kids in a kayak with no spray skirt and no idea about it. A well fitted spray skirt doesn't just pop, you have to pull the release grab. Not sure all those folks know that or maybe know it when they are upside down in cold water.

My thing: huge regards to the race committee, sherriff, Coast Guard, … all the folks who help manage this event even though some might say it's too risky. How would you feel about making this event an “elete athlete only” event? What about dumbing it down? I like it the way it is - hope it keeps going.

RD

Larry Goolsby
05/30/11 #10753

I agree with Reivers that this race has to be kept at a level that John Q. Public can handle. I can't tell you how mant experienced paddlers mentioned their awe at the conditions on Sunday's race after they were back on the beach. Hats off to those that gave it their all regardless if they made it to the finish or not. Some standouts among the crowd were Marc Whitlock and Elaine Eckers. Outstanding times despite the conditions. Also, hats off to Paul Clements for giving up his bike for the kayak leg. Lingbloom deserves a big award for his performance both on the water and in the beer garden. The race was well run and I feel that Larry B. made the best decision to shut it down before we had a catastrophe.
Gerado…Check your britches. I think your testicles grew a notch on Sunday. Thanks for sharing.

However, I have one rant: Did we really need a beer garden? Five bucks to buy a ticket that gets you one beer in a cage with no seating. To top that off, they had one barrista serving while I stood in line to cash in my ticket. If you are going to charge $5 for a beer, provide more servers and a place to sit. I guarantee that if you increase the staff, you'll sell more than enough beers to pay for the additional staff. On the way out we learned that the best party was up at the Arthurs; good beer and company plus a place to sit. I now know where I'll be spending my summer vacation.
LG
AKA LK

debbie natelson
05/30/11 #10754

Gerardo,
I'm curious, were you on your ski or a sea kayak? I just had a flashback to Deception Pass Dash a few years ago when you & Wayne had very kindly came to my aid. That's actually when I decided to get “picked up by the Sherriff.” I realized that every moment you or other paddlers were helping me, it was making your own race harder. And I didn't think it was fair of me to continue through the pass. But good effort yesterday!

And yes, more incentive to practice in the messy waters. Though I had already paddled Saturday morn, I went back out on the ski Sat eve when I saw the water getting all chaotic. …. a bit white knuckle for me, but it was good practice nonetheless.

Congrats to all of you S2S racers.
-Debbie

Gerardo Andaluz
05/31/11 #10755

Larry,

For a moment it felt more like I had laryngitis… unitl 'they' came down later on. Live and grow… Looking forward to next year's but for right now I'll settle for next Wednesday's race.

Gerardo

Gerardo Andaluz 05/31/11 #10756

ski… at this point totally committed to tame the beast (or get gored by it!!!). I felt the same way once I went in the water… no reason to tax other individuals with my lack of abilities/skills for those conditions at this time.

Larry <lbussing@…>
05/31/11 #10757

For the record: After an exilerating ride back to Zuanich, Mac Carter (Leg Chair) and I stood on the shore and watched Gerardo swim. I called Deputy Chad Heinrich, who confered with his other uniformed rescue boats and the committee boats. Chad also just received a Coast Guard weather update of Small Craft Warnings. With the number of kayaks needing help, WE made a pretty easy call.
For those of you left at Zuanich, my apologizes, but no regrets.
Larry B

paul clement
05/31/11 #10758

I was probably 1/2 way to the first buoy when you shut it down. There is no doubt in my mind you made the right decision. It was pretty gnarly out there. Well done to all!
Paul

Jeff Hegedus <jhegedus@…>
05/31/11 #10759

Excellent call, Larry. Thanks for working the race.

danieldalmeida
05/31/11 #10760

Paul, You came roaring by me on the last upwind leg. I got dumped at the end of the downwind leg (after some good rides!) and tried to use your cadence to keep me moving toward the finish. But I was gassed and you were too strong. Alas, I had no chance of holding your pace! Well done.

Dan (Team 108/Think Evo)

Larry <lbussing@…>
05/31/11 #10761

BTW, for those of you who are thinking of waxing your kayak seat to help with rotation…..don't. Larry B

erik.wermus
05/31/11 #10763

Yes, that was clearly the right call. I was out later in the day on a slower team and passed several swimmers on the course. As Whitlock and I were paddling back to the start, we spotted a guy signaling with his paddle in the air. I was expecting a safety boat to get there well before we did but I don't think they had seen him (…..or had their hands full). The guys said he was on his 4th attempt to get back in the boat and his legs were getting numb (yikes!). A safety boat ended up seeing us and plucking him and his boat out of the water. Gets pretty tough for the safety boats to both spot cover everyone on the bay in those conditions.

EW

danieldalmeida
05/31/11 #10764

Our Whidbey team is being interviewed this afternoon by our local paper. Wondering how this year's kayak conditions compared to the last few years? I did it last year and it felt about twice as big (wind and waves) as last year. Also, what is with all the cross chop about halfway to the orange balloon? Are there underwater features in that area.

Dan