Surfski Knowledge Base

DPD
Reivers Dustin
12/07/08 #5434

Like the little kid on those ads where he pukes as he's talking and says, “whoah!” This race sort of interrupted the normal routine of typical races.

First: excellent support from volunteers and safety boats. There's more layers here than meets the eye. And this little post can't put it all out there. Those of you who put out effort and get 30 seconds of love know who you are.

Second: amazing turn out. The people in touring kayaks were the stand outs. They came prepared, helped everyone and made excellent race partners. Wonderful vendor support. Great mix of people. Can you believe it? A pedal boat kicked ass? A guy from France was first? Doubles did not rule? Guys that I know raced that damn thing with four inch rudders?!!!

Third: the sailboarders call it nuclear when conditions are extreme. This was at the upper edge of my ability and I will feed
off of this memory for a long time. I had a great race that called on every skill and knowledge that I possess. This course has more potential than the U.S. Surfski Champs.

Last: I will be back. Thank you organizers and support.

Re: DPD
Larry Goolsby
12/07/08 #5435

Reivers, you are leaving too much unsaid for those that blew off the greatest race of the year. Yes, a great turnout with 132 boats entered and it was run very safe. However, how can I describe theconditions? Biggest water of any race in the Northwest, ever? Even though this course was only 5+ miles, almost 1/3rd of the field did not finish the course because it was too wild. Shaun and I finished but I think that had we been in the wrong boat, we would have never made it around Deception Island. The race started with some small chop that gave us no clue as to what to expect. The lead spot was quickly filled in by Jean' Rillard of France who happened to be in this area for some 6 month study trip. Before the race, he told us that he was strictly a flat water paddler. With a Think Legend under his butt, he was the first out to the island and stayed in the front to the finish. He lacked navigation skills but he made up for it with speed. Shaun and I were next out and the closer we got to the island, the bigger the swells got. By the time we rounded the island wide, the swells were 3-4 feet in height. Our first mistake was going wide
because 4 boats cut in close to the island and got ahead of us (The Nelsons, Don K., Alan Goto (OC-1) and DJ in his Special). We ended up immediately passing 3 of the 4 because we could sprint and catch these big waves or swells or whatever they were. Inside of the pass things were really calm and Jean put on some more distance from the pack. As we came back through Canoe Pass, we couldn't believe the size of the waves at the opening of Canoe Pass. Now we were climbing
over 5-6 footers where they had only been 1-2 feet 15 minutes prior. Conditions were growing by the minute to the point that Shaun and I expected the rescue boats to call off the race and have us run for cover. Between Canoe Pass and Deception Island, we almost caught Don K. but once again he hugged the island with his 2“ rudder and lengthened the lead on us. The downwind run was fast with our double broaching on every other wave because we didn't have enough rudder for those steep waves. We crossed the finish line in third place with DJ right behind us followed by Alan Goto and Dean Bumstead. I think
the Nelsons were in there somewhere too.

A well run race that went off at 10 am precisely with great food and warm fires. My only criticizm was the drawing at the end: it could have been run quicker. The San Juan Challenge did the same type of drawing where you went up 1 at a time and picked out your boot. However, after the first namewas called, consecutive names were
called out every few seconds. This forced you to run up and grab something before the next yahoo grabbed it while you were deciding on whether or not you would good in another paddling t-shirt.

Later, after the race, Jean Rillard was grinning ear to ear saying that big water was sooo awesome. We noticed that about half of the Bellingham ski paddlers had DNF'd. Couple of people had to be rescued and some were very close to waving the white flag. Dale McKinnon said that they saw 8 and 10 footers (from a Sheriff's boat) before we were all in.

Before I sign off, I need to comment on the changes that took place in our local heirarchy. DJ pulled off one hell of a race with his
third in singles beating out Dean and Kirk (who had 4” rudders). Duncan finished the race and I saw a new man at the finish that was much stronger/younger than when we left. He can only get better after this. Team 205 were pushed beyond their skill and limits and they learned to finish despite the fatigue and hypothermia. They learned what the rest of were taught at the Nationals: how to focus and get to the finish. This was one hell of a race and it's what we will compare future races to for years to come.

Larry G.

Re: DPD
Dale McKinnon
12/07/08 #5436

Larry, Reivers, this was an awesome race and you can only guess how bad the water got by the last photo in the Deception Pass Dash folder on the whatcompaddlers Yahoo site. I was on the Sheriff's rescue vessel on the SW side of Deception Island and it didn't take too long for the seas to start building out there. My apologies for the spots in the photos… I had to hold on the the boat with one hand and get photos with the other, hence there was no way I could clean the spray off my lensfilter. (I have many other photos and will make them available tomorrow).

I realize that I can now identify our locals, not only by the color of the boats, but because of today, by the paddler/s posture in the boat and their stroke. It was hard to tell what kind of boat a paddler was in unless I caught a glimpse of them on top of a wave. All too often it looked like heads floating along in the chop with a paddle flashing by in the air. It was easy enough to spot Larry and Shaun… Larry has a very distinctive posture when paddling (chuckle). Seriously, today was a “pucker factor” day for the paddlers.

On the boat is was a puke fest. We had to come in to offload the skipper's 13-yr old daughter (she was presenting electrolytic torpor), and a Skagit Valley Herald editor and photographer. They were a distinctive shad of green out there. When we headed back out to the island after offloading, there were just 3 of us on the boat, the two Skagit Co. Sheriff's and myself. When we got back out there, the skipper quietly said “shit” and worked to keep the boat pointed into the waves. There were honest 8-footer out there. The skipper would holler out “big one coming” to warn the two of us in the back… and that happened about every tenth wave.

My hat is off to the rescue kayakers out there. They were fantastic. I've never really watched “rescue” kayakers before and told Mac Carter afterwards that what they had to do out there to make sure the safety net extended throughout the entire course was highly impressive. Not only did they have to sit/stay on assignment, they had to stay upright while remaining out there for over two hours. They had to contend with cold. Big cold… water, wind and no exercise to generate heat. Because of them and the rescue vessels supplied by Skagit County, every paddler out there got the chance to push back their personal envelopes with a safety net in what is, inarguably, the toughest race in 2008 in the NW. The DPD is a real game-changer in a paddler's life. Perhaps next year I'll try it in a rowing shell. But today was a “yahoo” day on a bigger boat.

As an aside: While on the boat, the skipper received a message advising him that someone emailed the Skagit Co Sheriff's dept to say that they would jump off the DP bridge at 12 noon. The last paddler out from under the bridge was #4, and he had seven rescue vessels around him, kinda trying to nudge him along to get him out of impending harm's way.
No one jumped off the bridge as far as I know… As for the DPD, anyone that went out in that water today, whether they DNFed or finished… my hat is off to you. It was an awesome event.

Re: DPD
paul clement
12/07/08 #5437

Well, I thought Bowen made me a man… DPD crushed me. My HUGE thanks to the rescue people that helped me out. With calm heads an some patience I was able to get back under way and make my way back to the start/finish. Hearing that people managed the race with 4“ (or less) rudders pretty much tells me that I have no right being in the same water with them. Very humbling.

b.t.w. Is it just me or did anyone else notice the wind change from SW at 6:00 AM to NW at 2:00 PM? It was hard getting home…

Re: DPD
kathleen petereit
12/07/08 #5439

I wish I would have put my gullwing on today. As Larry said it didn't look too bad till you got out there. I was coming up over a steep wave and landed right on top of a thick kelp bed and was really stuck, couldn't move an inch. A really nice guy on an OC 1 stood by me and guided me out backwards which was no easy feat in those conditions. I had my first solo DNF today. I saw two guys on surfskis dump in front of me, get back on then dump again. I haven't been in really big water since USSSC so I opted to bail before I dumped. The safety crews were the best I have ver seen at race. When I got back in two other surfskis were already on the beach, they also decided to turn back. Shortly after a few more surfskis came in making the same decision.

It was great to be alongside all the sea kayaks, what a nice group. Larry G and Shaun looked smashing in their deer antlers. Larry B and Reivers were very cute in their Santa hats. I finally got to meet Shane Baker….what a nice man.

Good to see the B'ham gang again….I will do this race again and drag my surfski buddies down for it. This is not one to be missed !

Thanks to all the volunteers.

Kathleen

Re: DPD
rlingblo <rlingblo@…>
12/07/08 #5440

All I can say is that I'm really whooped! Those were by far the toughest conditions I've ever been in. I too want to thank the people who were willing to give Marc and I a hand. We dumped 3 times and getting back in the last time being very cold and exhausted was hard work. It was comforting to know that help was nearby if we needed it. It felt great to get done and place as well as we did, considering I felt like quiting a number of times. I can't say it was a great race, but I can say I had a great adventure!

Rick L

DPD
Michael Gregory
12/07/08 #5441

-Didya hear about the pilgrim who labored for months over rocky paths to gain the presence of the great guru high on a mountain-top. Finally, he was able to ask “what is the meaning of life?” Guru looks up eyes shining, he answers - “the secret of life is a teacup”. The pilgrim ponders this for a moment then in his fatigue and confusion he says “I come all the way here and you tell me rubbish!” Guru shrugs and says “ok, it's not a teacup”.
-Yep, big fun morning. Convergence of tide and winds made for big steep waves (prolly not 8 feet, but that does sound impressive) and a difficult course course, no doubt. I applaud both the finishers and the rest of us too.
-Far better paddlers than myself opted for prudence and safety, retiring early from the full course today. I was among them. Over the afternoon I could not help but think that DNF just doesn't tell the story properly, sitting there like a blown fuse. There's usually more to the story, much to be learned, and yes Virginia - fortunately, a life to be changed. No shame at all in retiring. Far far better than pushing luck too far. It's great that the big guys up front had a good race but, the racers who found their limits and respected those limits by retiring had a good race as well.
-Clearly the conditions today far exceeded anyones expectations and underscored the real potential danger of our chosen sport. So very fortunate, everyone came home safely. Good choices were made out there it appears. Well done rescuers and paddlers.
-Excellent cheap lessons all around. Nothing like swimming off ones ski in real cold water, big waves, and crazy currents. NOTHING quite like remounting a ski in those conditions too, right? Hate it when ya finally remount then fall right over the other side, right? Hung up on your PFD when ya hauled yourself up? Tested our leashes today? Drysuit sucked, wetsuit sucked? What worked and what didn't? Change! There's always another race.
-BTW, find it difficult to remount when wind and wave are quartering or right on the beam? Try hanging one arm over the ski just ahead of the cockpit, voila - the ski turns up into the wind and you have a better chance of a successful remount - for a few seconds anyway!
Best Regards, Mike.

Re: DPD
Nadja <expatgal@…>
12/08/08 #5444

A giant KUDOS and THANK YOU to all of the folks at Outdoor Adventure Center, the Sherriff & volunteer kayak rescue boats, the awesome sponsors and especially Bill Walker…Thanks for arranging the ambiance as well, kayaks on end, tiki torches and the giant waves to go with…and to everyone who registered and made this as big of an
event as it was~ Now that was a race!! Jim last night was still mumbling about looking into the 'green giant' as he was dozing off, while I described our kayak-vs-wave-walls-eating-us-experience to a friend as “nature growled at us today”….:)

Re: DPD
Bob Putnam
12/08/08 #5445

Good tip about rotating the ski into the wind. Makes total sense! Not sure I get the tea cup stuff however?? Mike, Is that the kind of stuff you work when you reach Nirvana? Sounds like you had a totally buddhist kind of race.
Bob

DPD: one DNF'ers perspective
johnalbertf
12/08/08 #5447

From the start, I fell twice out of my Evo about halfway out to Deception Island. I knew it would get worse, but I kept thinking:
this is what the SAffers paddle in every day. This is what surfski SHOULD be like.

Fearing rocks, I crawled wide of the island about 200m west, then turned around hoping to surf to the pass. But after flipping 10 or so times I was too tense to stay in my boat, and threw in the towel.

One thing I learned: in that steep swell stacking up at the island, things were smoother (and faster!) by quartering the waves about 45 degrees. I had to fight my instinct to head directly into the waves. The Evo seemed to like it better at an angle. Now if I could just learn to not choke.

So how does one train in this? Does a surfski club need a safety boat for training? Wondering what you B'Hammers do as you seem to have a vibrant community spirit.

Ditto all kudos to the pros in the safety crew!

John in Seattle

Re: DPD: one DNF'ers perspective
Larry Goolsby
12/08/08 #5449

John…We don't have a safety boat but we have the luxury of living near Bellingham Bay and we have a supportive/competitive 'family' of paddlers here. When the wind kicks up the waves in B'ham Bay, we tend to venture out in groups. Novices have the opportunity of going out and staying within the confines of Post Point where they can access waves without a lot of harsh echo. When this becomes too easy, you can either venture out further into the bay to experience larger waves or further south where you encounter 'the wall' which is a spot where the waves bounce back at you from a cliff. This still requires
a lot of time in the saddle that can be measured in months and years instead of days and weeks. Practice, practice, practice…..

Larry G.

DPD thoughts & pics
waterbornewarrior
12/08/08 #5450

Mmm, I'm sore. Steering in big waves with a non-rudder uses some interesting muscle groups! Larry G says 6” works great for him. Have to ask him about his rudder, though.

Some *awesome* performances by Rillard, Goto, Nelson's, and everyone who finished. For those who turned back, great judgement, and motivation for next year! Yes, training for those conditions is a challenge that we need to address. I'm up for more group paddles focussed on skills development.

Thanks to Staff Photographer Larson for these groovy pics. The biggest waves were encountered at another location, but some of the later shots give a good idea of the conditions.

Don

Rescued/Arrested…….its all in ones perspective.
superdogcurtis
12/15/08 #5483

Lots of photos floating around here on the World Wide Web. One particularlly of me on the back of a Sherrif's Jet-Ski from the
Deception Pass Dash. Now photos are normally excellent proof/evidenceof something that occured. In this photo it does appear that I was rescued, some may even say quit. What I want everyone to remember is this photo (that is floating around) is indeed a “DECEPTION” , remember it was taken at “Deception” Pass and more than one person has been “DECIEVED” in this supernatural location. What the photo doesnt show is that I was arrested by the Sheriff for knocking Shane out of
his boat during a fit of “Sea Rage”. He was drafting again!!! I apologize for my behavior, but drafting just isn't cool.

John.

Kayak vs Ski
Reivers Dustin
12/16/08 #5493

I was impressed with the kayaking performance at DPD. A kayak beat me to the finish line.

At the gathering after the race I talked with Traci about her decision to leave her ski on shore and paddle her Eddyline Falcon. She's a solid performer on her S1-A and I understand does K-1 racing. She was one happy lady and it showed on the race results.

Another item about that race was the safety net that the kayaks provided. I much prefer them over the zodiac and jetski support. If you are a struggling paddler you can discuss the situation with the rescue kayak at your level. You can get help with climbing in, gear fixes, equipment recovery, … The coverage for a nasty race course is fantastic. That was a huge eye opener.

The surfski vs kayak DNF ratio was about even on the results. Typically being partisan about things is lazy thinking. It's more
fun to see how these different approaches can make something very special possible.

Here's my point: the DPD has the potential to outshine almost any other North American race. This race venue can test raw speed, conditioning, technical skill and good judgement. Most other venues have a bias. Tactics are quite an equalizer with those kind of conditions. Because this site can be so gnarly, it really needs the super safety net. It needs kayaks. It needs OC boats. It needs surfskis. As I put in my feedback to Bill, this might be the best in show for open water races.

Kayaks as a cornerstone of the safety net are huge here. I'm certain that the discussions about this year's race have been noticed. Everyone talks about Bowen, Howe Sound, The Gorge, and San Francisco because they want to be tested against reality.

If you love the truth, come and get your sinuses packed with salt water at DPD. And baby, choose your best weapon.

RD