Surfski Knowledge Base

Todays Race Input…..

Pmarcus
03/16/13 #14058

Well….Thanks to Whatcom Search and Rescue and other Safety Boats, Mike and George, Dale Mckinnon, and Mike O.

Weather came up a little as predicted, SE 10 to 15, with a good size Ebb made for few waves to go down hill on! I kinda screwed up on the Northerly buoy placement which made for a little shorter race…Of course the first words out of Dean B's mouth was “we should have gone around THREE times!” figures…

Nice to see Greg B. in our neck of the woods with Kirk and Shane not to far behind, OC Class was looking like a “Barn Burner” until an OC-6 took six individual OC-1 boats off the race course and drag raced the leaders around the long course with Shaun and Larry G in hot pursuit. They were fast….

Heather N was displaying good pre season speed as was Vanessa H. and Elena E. and Debbie A (except I told her the wrong starting time..Oops, sorry…which her daughter, Virginia kindly informed of!)

Some fast MX OC teams and a salute to the SUP's and Prone Paddlers and rowers (who tackled the Long Course).

Next year, should have done it today, or starting NOW we really need to start adding some Veteran or Master categories, because apparently these men and woman paddlers have been taking a lot of V-D3 and Fish Oil and making 70, 60, and 50 ish look like the new “40 ish in Paddling years!”

Thanks to Jeff, Kim, Christos, Juile, Ted and Virginia (Debbie A's daughter) for helping with timing, registration and the Ribbons!

Thanks to Adrienne for taking care of all the Food…Thom and Joan for the Tent….Community Boating Center for the location.

Thanks to Paul C Designs for your Mini Paddling Sculptures.

Cheers, Peter (Happy St. Patties Day Tomorrow!)

debbie natelson
03/16/13 #14059

Touche to Dean and Kirk's comments. Superbly organized event, including great safety crew. The windy wavy weather did seem to be a bit more than a coincidence. Peter, you must have some special connections with the weather gods; maybe because you spend most of your life on the water. A mystery, but we all appreciate your good track record for this event.

Love the carved boat pirate trinket. I bequeathed ours to doubles rowing partner, Mike knowing he will soon be fascinated enough to try the Dark Side. Adrienne and fellow cooks – the soup and baked goods were awesome – and so well appreciated.

Having Bellingham Bay as a practice court, it's obvious why the Whatcompaddlers are such a skillful bunch of racers. Thanks to all for coming from far and wide.

-Debbie N

Pmarcus
03/18/13 #14071

Afternoon All,

After seeing all the GREAT pictures from Race Day taken by Nina O., Michael L., and Dale M., what did you think of the course and its angles on each “leg?” I know I made a mistake on some buoy settings but other then length, GIVE me some input for future races!!!! I won't take it personally……

Thank you, Peter

David Scherrer
03/18/13 #14072

Well Hey Peter,
Great Race, OK a few suggestions.
If the upwind buoy were a little further south like off of Post Point and a little closer to shore, say a couple hundred yards, then the course would be more doable/reliable regardless of conditions. Also down wind running to the out flow would be a blast.
Next, the down wind turn around (off Cornwall) could be a little more towards GP dock so as to make the angle of decent less tricky from the out flow buoy. I also suggest using the star reef buoy as a course marker, requiring returning boats to stay on the inside of Star reef. This will force folks unfamiliar with the Bay to go closer to Boulevard Park side where your less likely to beat yourself up staying off shore.
But it was and is a great event, great surf ski material!
Many thanks,
David

Ted Scherrer
03/19/13 #14073

Ya, I agree with David………Also hot chocolate for the spectators!

allipp01

03/19/13 #14075

My vote is for an entirely downwind course. Wildcat Cove to Squalicum Beach.