Surfski Knowledge Base

San Francisco US National Champs Race Reports

Larry Goolsby
08/03/13 #14690

The race was late getting started (4:30 pm) because we were waiting for the wind. 123 paddlers did the long course. The bay was rockin' after about 2 miles into it and the waves continued to grow as we headed south. Became big and technical about a mile prior to the San Mateo bridge. Didn't see anyone swim but I'm sure someone must have. I changed leads with Duncan about a dozen times and finished just seconds ahead of him. Don't know many results except that Sean Rice won, Barton might have got third (rumor), Heather might have a third, Dean might have a second or third in the golden masters. After crossing the finish, we had to paddle another 2+ miles to the takeout. That was the hardest two miles I've ever done. I didn't stay for the awards so I left 'in the dark'.Lots of other paddlers noted the large amount of entrants from the northwest. Oh, and Oscar paddled a V-10 Sport and still kicked several butts.
LG

allipp01
08/04/13 #14691

Results

http://www.webscorer.com/racedetails?raceid=11161

Champs
Larry <lbussinger@…>
08/04/13 #14692

Congratulations everyone! I'm seeing some awesome times. Heather, Putnam, Dean, Duncan among the group I can rate myself against. Or used to. Can't wait to hear the complete stories. Larry B

US surfski champs
Dean Bumstead
08/05/13 #14699

Another year to think about the “should’ve, could’ve” aspects of the race. Even though the wind had dropped significantly from the previous days, there were still plenty of waves to ride, especially as you got close to the bridge which somehow seemed to keep drifting away from you. On a more personal note, I’m done trying to hang with Eric Wermus. I’ll race him again when he’s in his fifties, and Bob “putt-putt” Putnam, is now Bob “how’d he do that?” Putnam, after cleaning my clock in two races. The funny thing is, shortly after the hotspot buoy I passed both Steve Kaspar (60 year old age group winner) and Bob “how’d he do that?” Putnam, and I was feeling good. And I thought I passed Heather a bit further out in the channel. Only one boat passed me as we approached the bridge and that was an OC – granted, it was technical enough that I couldn’t study the periphery that closely. After the bridge I kept pouring it on and caught four more boats – one of them being the third place finisher in the 60 year old group. Well, wasn’t I surprised to see Heather chatting with Eric “hurry up and get old” Wermus as I crossed the finish line. And to make matters worse, after my two mile cool down paddle to the take out, the two I thought I left behind, Steve K. and Bob P. were already changed and gulping down brews. What is the Enterprise up there somewhere – beam me up Scotty.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/354177706#

Here’s my course profile. The GPS was on for the warm up and cool down. I hit a max speed of 10.1mph, pretty measly compared to Richard Spork’s 11.4mph, but then I don’t live on Maui. Dan Wakeland and I estimated the course to be 16.5 miles plus. Road trip next year. I’ll fix the “should’ve and could’ve”.

Dean “ where’d they come from” Bumstead

Reivers Dustin
08/05/13 #14701

I guess you cant use punctuation. But I must say this is a good write up. Its been great having an edge in rough water, but my glory days are over. I noticed Heather had a great race and Debbie finished ahead of MG. LG thought he gapped Duncan a whole lot more but there he was climbing out just behind. Morris must have picked a good line. But rumor has it that half the starters got handicapped by course layout.

The one time I did this route it was dead perfect surf right about where your GPS speed spiked all the rest of the way. But this time there must have been cross-chop and current issues. For instance how in heck could the big O do that speed in a Sport? Was there maybe a better current closer to the west shore?

Dean old buddy, you were our great hope to hang with the young bucks. Keep the faith brother barnacle and eat more punkin seeds and tofu. Seems like Duncan is the only one of us that keeps getting faster these days.

rd

erik.wermus
08/06/13 #14703

In summary: What a blast! The sun was out and I counted a dozen Bellingham paddlers and lots of BC and Seattle folks too. Felt like home.

It was clear that Gabe was going to take care of business as he had a 10“ knife in strapped to his leg a couple hours before the race (…I tried to take it from him but before I knew it I was on the ground with a boot on my neck). And speaking of taking care of business; Gabe, Duncan, DJ, DK, Morris, Shane, Dion and lots of others looked like they had excellent races.

Yes, Chalupsky was paddling a V10 Sport.

Dean, Borgnes and I were talking about sleeping habits before the race, which led to talking about things that can keep you awake at night; sometimes Dean dreams about trees (…makes sense).

Across the whole field, levels of surfing mastery became oh-so clear during both the Wed night and Champs races. If you can gain a little more mastery in the bigger and more confused water, you can start knocking a lot of minutes off your time without working any harder. After working through some race-start congestion I was able to start picking off a few people, who then returned the favor 5-6 miles later as the water built, some of whom I was able to reel back in during the last 5 (…ie Bob Putnam beat me senseless during that pre-bridge stretch).

Super-fun 4 days all around and great to meet so many paddlers from around the country and world- makes you kind of proud to be a NW paddler.

One more Gorge trip?

Erik

David Scherrer
08/10/13 #14720

OK There is some rumor that I didn't finish this race….well heck,I did indeed.
Not that I had a race to crow about. But yes, I did finish somewhere around five or so min. ahead of Ol MG. Didn't stick around. A warm bath, some fine wine and a good meal was awaiting.

Susan and I will be back in town after our road trip on Monday.
David S.

duncanhowat
08/10/13 #14721

David, Lets see, the water was 70+ degrees, so no hot bath was needed, you already drank most of the wine in napa so you had that covered, and there was a very nice meal at the finish. BBQ chicken vegies, salmon, (lots of free beer,you missed that) dessert etc, still got some splaining to do, as I covered for you with the wave chasers, wondering where your celebrity appearance was going to be forthcoming. Thinking about a downhiller tomorrow if it's like this am. Post at 8:00,D

allipp01
08/11/13 #14722

I wonder how that rumor started?

http://www.webscorer.com/racedetails?raceid=11161&cid=79027

David Scherrer
08/12/13 #14727

Curious isn't it? Crossed the finish line like everyone else. Will be sending pics to Wavechaser soon as Susan was there.

By the way, to all the racers who did this event. How many witnessed other paddlers cutting the course? I saw at least 4 boats go to the far right of the first two channel markers.

David

twahine
08/12/13 #14728

Hi David,

Sorry for the results posting glitch! - your time was recorded as 2:27:45 and will be corrected by the race director soon.

Helen

duncanhowat
08/12/13 #14729

Big Wave Dave,, 2:27:45? Did you get out and swim a couple miles to cool down? Still haven't got the story. D