Surfski Knowledge Base

JD Davies <jd@…>
08/02/10 #8937

Mahalo Plenty to the 78 folks that made the trip back to the Gorge for the Wildside. Largest group since we started in '99.

Top finishers…Ski

1) Carter Johnsan & Dave Jensen….2:35:22….New Record
2) Patrick Hemmens & Robin Graham…2:38:44
3) Graig Taqnner & Chris Stout…2:40:09
4) Kirk Christensen & DJ…..2:42:09
5) Gabe Newton & Don Kiesling…2:45:22
6) Heather & Brandon Nelson…2:50:11…..First Mixed
14) Duncan Howat & Kim Cantrell…3:00:35…. First Kupuna-Senior

Top Finishers…OC-1
1) Alan Goto & Pake Nui (Calvin)…2:51:24
2) Eric Gerstl & Kevin McHugh…..2:52:38
3) Joel Strimling & Mulu….3:06:57
4) Lance Mamiya & Mike VanDerwater….3:09:44

Top Finishers…OC-1 / Ski
1) Pete Wells & Pete Wylie…3:12:56….Kupuna

Aloha,
JD

WA vs. CA Wildside Relay
hilburnjjcl
08/03/10 #8952

The Wildside Relay race is starting to get the attention of the CA surfski guys. The race is turning into quite the competition between our PNW crowd and the Bay area paddlers. This year, the race even had a team of accomplished Southern California paddlers.
I had the pleasure of going down a couple of days before the Wildside Race on Saturday and paddled with Gabe and Don from Seattle. At the last race transition, Don came in only about 10 seconds behind Dave Jensen. Don averaged 8.6 mph on the third leg. Don't forget to add about 2 mph for the current and let's see…10.6 mph! Gabe took off chasing Carter Johnsen and I thought the battle for first was going to be very close. Unfortunately, Gabe turned into the mouth of an inlet about 1 mile before the finish-falling victim to the “wrong-way Reivers syndrome.” I predict that next year will be even more competitive. Now all we need to do is get the downwind Canadian surfski paddlers to show up- Gareth, Jonas, Ian, etc.)

Hilburn

Re: What is “Wildside?”
Brandon Nelson <brandon@…>
08/04/10 #8956

So, SO awesome paddling and hanging with everyone down in that incredible playground last weekend! JD, thanks again for putting that event together. There’s just nothing else like it, plain and simple.

We posted a quick “What is Wildside?” write-up and PNW photo gallery on the blog at http://chargelife.com/2010/08/2010-wildside-relay.html.

Whether or not a paddler feels up to that race yet, just scheduling a few days in the summer to paddle any or all the sections between Stevenson and Bingen will be time well spent. It’s like “Downwind University” down there. The water’s comfortingly warm. The shore’s always in site. The wind is uni-directional and freakishly steady. The shuttles couldn’t be easier. You start off on easier sections and only do the bigger stuff if you choose to. The camping or water-front cabins, food, espresso and brewpubs are exceptional. And you can DRIVE to it! On our return trip, we left Stevenson at 7:30 p.m. and pulled into our driveway in Bellingham at midnight.

For anyone who’s been dreaming of getting some Hawaii-quality paddling without airline flights and boat rentals, make a trip to the Columbia. It will knock your socks off!

Brandon Nelson

Hello from hot, Windy Town
duncanhowat
08/06/10 #8968

Well, unfortunately the wind continues to blow about 25 - 30. There are about 9 of us, and we've done about every run there is to do, with one left; Stevenson to Viento, which we have scheduled for tomorrow.

Today, the wind came up early and we did Drano to the Hatchery. The wind kept building as we got closer to Swell City, with good 6 foot waves. I saw on my GPS 13.2, which considering going against the current is pretty speedy. There was one “rogue wave” Gwyn and I got on where we weren't sure what was going to happen at the bottom. We both made it out the other side unscathed and un-dunked, luckily.

Unfortunately, once we get up towards Hood River it gets too hot, so we have to keep cooling off by splashing and jumping in the river. I know all you cold-water lovers would hate it.

Well, two more days of two-a-days and we'll be ready to come home. Peter, wish you were here, but I still wouldn't loan you my sport.

Hope to see you all soon on a Wednesday night, and say hi to Up-the-Reivers-Without-a-Paddle.

- Duncan, Gwyn, Kim, Amy, Mike, Bob, Bill, Veronica, Edoh, Pete, Gail, Jeannie, Lucy Jeanne, Fritz and Nellie.

Wildside Relay Results
JD Davies <jd@…>
08/09/10 #8988

Thanks to everyone who came back to the Gorge this summer for the Wildside.

Carter and Dave covered the 21+ miles in 2:35:22 breaking their record from last year by almost 4 minutes.

http://www.nwoutrigger.com/wildside-relay/wildside-relay-2010-results/

See ya next year…

Aloha,

JD