Surfski Knowledge Base

Fw: 2005 San Juan Challenge
Larry Goolsby
02/19/05 #104

Subject: 2005 San Juan Challenge

Hello all,

It's that time again to start thinking about the 9th Annual San Juan Challenge, August 27-28.

The SJC Committee would like to change the race route this year, but would like feedback from you. Would you like to see this happen? The reason why we are entertaining this idea was the first four years of the race was to Orcas Island and back, the next four years was around Cypress Island for Day 1 and Guemes Island for Day 2 and the combination of the two races made up the San Juan Challenge. This year we would like to change the route again. If you could respond back by February 25, we would greatly appreciate it.

Look forward to seeing all of you at this year's San Juan Challenge!

Kristine

P.S. I would like to welcome back Bob Apter as Race Director.

Dale McKinnon
02/20/05 #106

Larry- In the next few weeks I will start getting the world out about the Dan Harris Challenge, a 12-mile race from Fairhaven to Lummi Island and back, on May 1. Would you be willing to help get the word out about the race? If so, I can mail you details and a digital chart with the course. Let me know….
Many thanks.

Dale McKinnon

Mike Gregory
02/21/05 #108

The old Orcas Island course was loved 'cause it was a “journey”. People paddled to this island, hung out, had a big communal meal, listened to a celebrated
speaker, crashed, then paddled back home the next day. The destination is less important than the “journey”. Although, it seems a distant island has
some kinda mystic attraction.

Regards, Mike

Morris Arthur
03/01/05 #116

I'd like a San Juan Challenge that's different–more creative–than last year's course. (The old Orcas Island course sounds like way more fun; I'm not sure if it's a consideration…)

Does anyone else have any ideas? Should we chat about it and come up with a group proposal for the race committee? It *is* our backyard…

Otherwise, I'll just send my comments…

Morris

Reivers Dustin 03/01/05 #117

They wanted feedback by 2/25, but what the heck. I had trouble with the logistics of an overnight stay on those races to Orcas. This
year I don't know my situation, job-wise, enough to predict.

I get the feeling that the SJC race needs to be “bigger”. We don't have surf-ride conditions, so they need some special feature to it.

Off-topic a little: regards that race to Ignatti and back, what other possible big routes are there? It's not so easy if you want
monitored check-points, plus a safe route for rescues.

What about

• Start: Marine Park,
• mark #1: Post Point buoy,
• mark #2: Outfall buoy,
• mark #3: dock at Zuanich park,
• finish back at Marine Park.

(blea. looks boring now that I wrote it down.)

rd

Dale McKinnon
03/01/05 #118

By Ignatti, do you mean “Inati?” As in Inati Bay on Lummi Island? I'm presuming that's what the reference is… The operative word in the race name is “challenge” as in the “Dan Harris Challenge.”

So here the gauntlet thrown to the ground…
It's time you kayakers dealt with the real world and had dry mouths and throats out in the middle of the Bay. If you want flat water, go to Lake Padden. If Dan Harris could row from Fairhaven to Victoria, B.C. once a month in a 14“ wooden skiff with 8” oars, you can face the demons of the Bay and the monkeys on your hulls by racing from Taylor Avenue dock to Inati Bay AND BACK. (There will be rescue craft along the route, because the CG requires it.)

More than likely you WILL get wet. Most likely you WILL have to grunt. You may even have to swear blue streak at the side wind. If the wind gets beyond 15 knots from either direction (N or S), the race will turn at the southern tip of Portage Island (so you don't have do deal with that nasty Hale Passage).

Remember, the operative word is “challenge.”

Why is it that none of the rowers that I've spoken with have even blanched at the route or possible chop. Why on earth are you kayakers so whiney?

So. The guantlet is down. Who is going to pick it up and meet the challenge? I'd be more than happy to meet you at Archer's for a few beers to hear your complaints…

Dale McKinnon

mike Gregory 03/01/05 #119

Hmm. Gauntlet thrown down. Dan “bloody” Harris. Rowboats and demons with dry throats out in the bay. Sounds like a fun party! I'm in! Now, don't you rowers weenie out on us kayakers when the spray starts to fly. It's gonna be a No WHINE zone. Don't forget your “sea-sick pills”. Rowers do use that stuff when they go out in the bay more than a couple hundred feet, don't they?

See ya there, Mike Gregory (Bellingham Bay Rower Crushers).

Brad Clements
03/01/05 #121

Dale,

If you are looking for a challenge, why don't you give up your oar locks and learn how to paddle? After a few beer at Archers we will be glad to
offer lessons.

Brad Clements