The Malibu race has finally come and gone.It was flat.One of these days...It’s like wishing for snow in Southern California.We almost got it right.We were one day too early.The next day, the expected winds came and tore up the ocean like you’ve never seen before.It was so windy that the ocean was too dangerous to hold a race in it.In fact the race would have probably been cancelled.There would have been too much liability at stake.On land the wind blew three OC1s and equipment off the top of our club rack. We had boats and carpet laying everywhere.The ocean was a raging river of blue water and huge white caps.The Harbor Patrol had two red flags flying.
Bobbi Poppler in the eye of the camera
Ah but that was the next day.In reality we raced 24 hours earlier in an ocean of calm, with reflections of clouds everywhere.The early weather report was exciting, keeping us on our toes all week.At first it looked like it was going to be perfect, 16-mile hour winds with chop.Then closer to the race it downgraded with our hopes to nada y nada.
Danny Ching holding the lead for the OC1s
I must say that it was great having the host provide a bus to transport the paddlers to the start of the 16-mile course.Thanks Brad and Angela Gaines.It’s always fun riding a bus with a bunch of paddlers.The excitement and the quips and one-liners are hilarious.I climbed on and there was a camera crew taping an interview in the middle of everyone.Then Larry Kunz walked in looking like a total flat land beginner.Wearing a life jacket around his neck, foam seat under one arm and a paddle hanging under the other.He said, “Don’t worry guys, I know how to paddle.”As the bus twisted and turned around the streets, some of the Marina paddlers directed the bus driver through all their short cuts.
Josh Crayton before he started hurting
In the back we were packed like sardines with short paddles, long surfskies paddles and all our necessities.It’s a good thing the paddles weren’t considered lethal weapons.Some paddlers were doing this race for the first time, while others were long time veterans.The range of emotion was clear on their faces.In the hot and humid bus, Christian Klump told me his story of his dad’s war diary.He was a German submariner in WWII.It was interesting how they survived several close encounters and were so close to death many times.Lady luck played a big part in their survival. The hardships they endured were a testament to their ferocious will to fight and to survive. Christian lives with his dad and has great admiration for him.
Ray Shipman closing in on the breakwater.
Meanwhile back at the race, we had a pretty good start.The surf skiers exploded, followed by the fastest OC1s, OC2s and finally the rest of the crowd.We had a good wake from the escort boat, but that lasted mere minutes.Most of it was a flat-water race.No riders here.From the front-runners to the back the personal battles raged, one on one, mano a mano.I think I only stopped once to ride a small swell.“Amazing what four seconds of rest can do for you”. Heck I thought I came off a vacation.I had a long battle with Sam Couch, until my endurance starting slipping and he walked on me.As we battled, someone came out of nowhere and paddled by both of us.Now that was hard.
Kelly Thompson intently focusing in the moment
Anyway I heard many paddlers bonked around mile 12 or 13 approaching the breakwater.The best ride I had was inside the harbor, when a curious fisherman came by and watched me for a while.Heck by mile 15, you aren’t too ashamed to take advantage of a wake.This race really took it out of me and I really felt my age.The law of conditioning never changes.It holds true no matter who you are or how long you’ve paddled.I thought I could do this race despite my lack of mileage, but nope, I was a classic case of fly and die.Next week we have the Catalina race.I hope there will be some wind and chop.I will help coach my son from the escort.Now that’s what I’m talking about. If I want to go faster, I push the throttle forward.“Yes!”
Thanks to Paddleme.com to Brad and Angela Gaines and the friends and members of the Marina Del Rey Club for hosting the race. Good job you guys. Again we appreciate the officials and the camera men who document our sport.
If you have a great photo you'd like to share with us. Please email it to acelocc@aol.com Since I can't shoot pictures while I''m paddling, you'll notice most of the photos are on land.
Your water shots would be wonderfu to share. Again, Please email it to acelocc@aol.com
