13 Miles Of Riding The Bumpy Tide On San Francisco Bay

This race is never easy. Frankly it's the one race a year that makes our knees knock a bit. This years race saw a 10-12 mph North East wind buffeting the paddlers over 3/4 of the the 13-mile course. Needless to say no records were broken, but some good times were had, and we know some folks will be waking up with some sore muscles on Sunday morning. 

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The day dawned on the chilly side, but with flat water, and the aforementioned North-East wind. the course looked like a tough one. The one knot tide helping the paddlers get home was also kicking up some unusual chop as it worked in the opposite direction of the wind.

Neptune did give us a good sign however, as the paddlers were heading out. Just outside the starting line was a school of about 30 bottle-nose dolphin feeding on herring. With birds diving, fins slashing, and blow holes puffing it was a show worthy of National Geographic. We were stoked to have such a big fleet of Prone Paddleboards with stock, 14, and unlimited's on the line. This was however also a diverse affair. With SUP, Surfski, Double Surfski's, OC1, OC2 and even an OC3!.

"It was a 13-mile buffet of side chop and headwind" said first to finish Amy Byers and John Dye. Pretty much summing up their first to finish victory that earned them a free pair of Monster Straps from Mile 22.  

In years past we have had 25 knot winds and in one year it rained so hard the night before that despite the incoming tide the water was still flowing out the gate. By all accounts this year’s weather brought a whole new challenge. With sideways running chop and headwinds the whole way the "Strange" in Long Strange Trip was accentuated. 

Paddle of the day for the men goes to Zack Koehn for his second place finish in the prone division. Zack bested all the 14's and other unlimited boards on his stock 12 footer. Nice. Over on the ladies side it was junior Sky Davies taking paddle of the day down. Skye took over 40 minutes off her previous time on this course and in under the 3 hour mark - on a stock prone. Someone's been training! 

Watch a video of the boats starting here

We pass on some extra thanks to the Fruit Guys who set up our starting line and our finish line with a bounty of fresh fruit. They can do the same for your home or office. A bottomless box of Kind Bars and Hint Waters made for healthy snacking and a fleet of hydrated racers who wouldn’t be sugar bonking half way through the race. 

Thanks to Seatrek for helping with water safety. They provided both driver and boat for the top part of the course and we are stoked for the assistance. Also a huge thanks to the San Rafael's Police boat which had the San Rafael Bay portion of the course covered. We of course could not do with out the support of the businesses you so below. Remember to support the businesses that support your sport. Ask us about the "flywheel effect" and we will let you know.  

Our next race plans to be a more austere affair. On January 19^th right here in San Rafael we will be racing to help our friends impacted by the North Bay Fires. All proceeds from registration will be added to some killer raffle items and a fun live auction that again will see all proceeds go to help those who need it. We will not be running our usual sumptuous lunch spread so we can maximize funds for donation so please bring your own food

PHOTO GALLERY (more photos coming - if you have some good ones send them on to info@101surfsports.com)

Doug Arnold Photo Gallery - Thanks Doug some great shots in here!

Upcoming Race/Event Schedule

Thursday December 13^th Meteor Night Paddle – More Information 

Friday December 14^th – Free Group SUP Surf Session – More Information - 

Saturday January 19^th San Rafael Fundraiser For The Fire Victims – More Information 

Sunday January 20^th Surfski Clinic With Jay Wild – More Information - 

Sunday January 20^th Moonlight Paddle Tour - More information - 

Saturday February 2^nd San Rafael Paddle Race – More Information

Sunday February 3^rd Surfski Clinic with Jay Wild - More Information

Tuesday February 19^th Full Moon Paddle Tour – More Information

Sunday March 2^nd San Rafael Paddle Race – More Information 

Remember the California River Quest is Memorial Day Weekend and offers 25,50, & 100 mile options. Do it! More Information 

 

Complete Results (Prone times accurate as is, SUP subtract 3 minutes, Boats subtract 5 minutes)

Amy Byers, John Dye (Surfski Double, mixed, 18-55) 01:47:01.58 – 1^st place

Jay Wild (Surfski Single, male, 18-55) 01:49:31.11- 1^st place

Elaine Baden, John Green (Surfski Double, mixed, 56+) 01:53:38.10 – 2^nd place

Tim Cornwell (oc-3, male, 18-55) 01:56:49.72

Marco Cochrane, William Coley (OC-2, male, 18-55) 02:00:51.15 – 1st place

Doug Kidder (OC-1, male, 56+) 02:06:43.21 1^st place

Kimo Garrigan, Tevita Moce (OC-2, male, 18-55) 02:10:52.29 – 2^nd  place

Jeff Kay (OC-1, male, 18-55) 02:14:28.94 – 2^nd place

Paul Macintyre (Surfski Single, male,  02:15:27.20

Zach Jirkovsky (Prone (All), male, 18-55) 02:17:03.65 – 1^st place

Julieta Gismondi (Surfski Single, female, 18-55) 02:17:53.04 - 1^st place

Zach Koehn (Prone (All), male, 18-55) 02:18:40.36 - 2^nd place

Lucjan Żołnierowski, Filip Drozdowski (OC-2, male, 18-55) 02:19:52.84 3^rd place

Geoff James (OC1, Male 18-55) 02:21:12.46 - 3^rd place

Zach Jirkovsky (Prone (All), male, 18-55) 02:17:03.65

Marsha Arnold (Surfski Single, female, 56+) 02:29:21.80 -  1^st Place

Pete Gauvin  (SUP 14’ Male 18-55) 02:29:52.51 – 1^st place

Shane Mccan (prone (all), male 18-55) 02:30:00.20

Wes Bochner (Prone (All), male, 18-55) 02:30:35.62

John Walsh (OC-1, male, 18-55) 02:36:45.28

Sean Jasso (Prone (All), male, 18-55) 02:41:28.06

Dave Hook (OC-1, male, 56+) 02:42:32.95 – 1^st place

Dustin Minor (SUP 14', male, 18-55) 02:43:54.78 – 2^nd place

Justin Paulson (SUP 14', male, 18-55) 02:47:08.55 – 3^rd place

Paul Foxx (Surfski Single, male, 18-55) 02:52:57.48 – 2^nd place

Skye Davies (Prone (All), female, U18) 02:56:51.88 – 1^st place

Steve Davies (Prone (All), male, 18-55)  02:56:52.46

Mark Cappa (Prone Unltd male 56+) 02:58:24.42

Jamie Willin (SUP 14', male, 56+) 03:02:14.05

Eamonn McCarey (SUP 12'6", male, 18-55) 03:06:41.14 - 1st place

Kyle Rootsaert (SUP 12'6", male, 18-55)  03:15:36.92 - 2nd place

Rick Coven (Prone (All), male, 56+)  03:24:18.02 -2^nd place

Jeff Broffman (SUP 14', male, 56+) 03:26:34.72 – 2^nd place

Mel Selvidge (SUP 14', female, 18-55) 03:26:59.01 1^st place

Mark Preece (SUP 12'6", male, 56+) 03:32:04.20 - 3rd place

Shawn Callahan  (SUP 14’ male 18-55) 03:27:25.31

Max Montgomery (SUP 14', male, 56+) 03:32:45.24

Jaime Serrano (SUP 14', male, 18-55) 03:34:27.16

Stewart Brant (Prone (All), male, 18-55) 03:36:46.77

Andi Traynor (SUP 12'6", female, 18-55) 03:37:36.79