Surfski Knowledge Base

Larry Goolsby
07/27/13 #14657

I heard that there were three super duos at the Wildside relay this year; Barton/Brandon, DJ/Austin, Carter/McKenzie. Who crossed the finish line first?
LG

waterbornewarrior
07/27/13 #14658

Geesh, I guess Newton/Kiesling was the dark horse entry??

http://www.webscorer.com/racedetails?raceid=10950

Don

Reivers Dustin

07/28/13 #14659

whoa. I'm dying for some color commentary. The results page has blood and hair and guts all over it:

• lead was decided by nine seconds (are you kidding?)
• top six places within 10 minutes.
• top seventeen places in the first 30 minutes.
• first double ski at 24th (must have been a mind-bending rodeo on that boat: awesome Arthurs!).
• my old barnacle rival teams (LB & Duncan) fought it down to a 90 second margin.
• fastest female team finished at 34th (each of these gals has given me whoopins aplenty).

I'm picturing the hand-offs and lead swaps and vein-popping battles that must have gone down. dude. Not your average weekend paddle.

rd

Erik Borgnes
07/28/13 #14660

Yes, interesting . . . I see Greg and Brandon were 4th this year. Last year, Greg and I were 4th. The common denominator was Greg. Therefore, Brandon, it seems clearly obvious that 'you know who' was holding us back.

EB

Larry Goolsby
07/28/13 #14661

Sorry Don, but your quiet demeanor kept you out of the spotlight. A big congrats on your second (near first) place finish. You didn't have an extra nine seconds that you could have pulled out of some orifice? After I looked at the results and the teams (and getting some color from Carter), I have to ask; Why aren't the US Surfski Champs held at the gorge?
LG

waterbornewarrior

07/28/13 #14663

Why aren't the US Surfski Champs held at the gorge?

That is a great question, Larry!

Here's a little color, what I could see, at least. First leg, tons of anxious paddlers on a “drift” (surfing) start in solid wind and waves. Carter took off like shot, the rest of us in pursuit. The waves were quite good and with a minimal current, speeds were very fast. To give you an idea, my avg speed last year was 8.0 mph and this year 9.2! Carter maintained a lead and came in well clear followed by Don, DJ, Brandon, and Jonas in pretty quick succession. Lots of usual suspects came in fast and furious after that from what I understand.

I hear the 2nd leg started off pretty good but then got fairly flat. A barge came through and may have been a navigational factor for some. By the Drano L exchange Gabe had a very small lead over Austin.

Don led out of the lake followed shortly by DJ, and we passed Sean Rice (!), Ian, Gareth, and Greg (rough order) before turning onto the river. DJ stayed on an inside line while I went a little wide. The surfing was pretty good, but then I saw and hit a patch of weeds. Major slowdown! Despite good waves I couldn't get the speed over 8. I stopped and backed up, started up again, and it still seemed slow and heavy. After a couple more waves I jumped off the boat and rolled it over to let the weeds slip off, and jumped back on. Back in business, but DJ had taken the lead. I surfed my brains out, and by the Hatchery exchange we were even, sprinting into the little beach. I rang the bell first but Gabe and Austin took off basically even.

My understanding is that Brandon had some breakage to deal with on the 3rd leg. Daryl R came by and they had a brief chat. Brandon advised Daryl to tell Greg that if Brandon didn't show up within a couple of minutes of Daryl at the Hatchery that Greg should go and at least paddle the 4th leg. Greg's time was taken at the finish, but I suspect they're a technical DNF.

Gabe and Austin had a battle royale on the 4th leg, and it sounds like one wave made the difference, with only 9 seconds separating them at the finish. Sean Rice was obviously charging and came in close behind. It seems that Daryl had a strong race to keep Sean within striking distance of the leaders.

It was a massive - probably the biggest - turnout for Wildside, and there were many inspiring performances. JD and his crew did an awesome job organizing. The Gorge didn't disappoint, with amazing weather and solid wind and waves. It was really fun being around in the days before and after, seeing paddlers all along the river and up and down the road running shuttle. I have a feeling 2014 will be even bigger and better!

Don

Carter Johnson

07/29/13 #14667

It was the best wind I have ever seen in the gorge and for the race. Winds were 30+ mph for over 2 weeks. Just 2 or 3 days with teens type stuff.

Was stoked to paddle with everybody.

I will be getting a house there next year for perhaps 2 or 3 weeks. Hope to fill it. Yes, agree, champs should be moved.

I am still hoping to get a boat moved from Vancouver Canada to SF. It has a ride from Bellingham to SF, but now just need a pickup from Vancouver to Bellingham.

fennmako
07/29/13 #14668

My Highlight (aside from the privilege of doing a few paddles with Greg B) was a 'rockin sleighride through The Narrows in the back seat of a double with Sean Rice steering. GoPro footage to follow……