Improv Day At Charity Paddle Race for US Coast Guard Fallen Heroes

It was a chilly start for the local paddle fleet at this weekend’s charity paddle race. The same 10-15mph North North East wind that was causing that chill was the reason for a little improvisation. In fact, improvisation played a big part in the whole day. (Frank Perrot on the long course - pretty lighting!)

It's always a tough call for a race committee when the wind is in the forecast. Sending 73 people headlong into a polar airflow can be consternating. That’s where improvisation number one comes in. After a few hours pouring over google earth with wind direction in mind we came up with a brand-new course. We didn’t have time to draw any pictures as it was literally a last-minute call.

After the start at the 101 Surf Sports shop, the paddlers headed North to the pilings that line the exit to Loch Lomond harbor. About 10 pairs of telephone pole-like pilings mark the egress where the larger boats must stay or else risk running aground. This was where improv #3 came in. In order to avoid a pile-up, the fleet was given the option to choose any one of the 10 pilings as a turnaround mark. Next, it was back to the shop to turn a buoy then head back out one mile to the 7 piling turn and come home. (coming home pictured below)

The buoy turn is always a spectator favorite and today did not disappoint. The abnormal wind direction was wreaking havoc on the buoy swinging it like a grandfather clock pendulum on horseback. With boats flipping over and surfski bumper cars going on the spectator, throng was hootin’ and holerin’ with cow bells blaring.

There are two highlights from the malaise and one of them won our improvisation of the day. Race John Dye came in shall we say on the hot side finding the backside of someone’s surfski. In a thread the needle moment he managed to perfectly nail the spot where his Iaku attaches to the canoes ama and ripped the thing clean off. Channeling his inner Macgyver (google it kids as it’s so appropriate here) he started yelling “Duct tape. Duct Tape, Get me Duct Tape.”  The action was swift on the dock and the tape fetched in lighting speed. Dye pulled into the dock, wrapped the junction with a deftness that demonstrated clear duct-taping experience, and was back in the race with Formula 1 pit stop efficiency. Jasper Caddell was first overall to finish while Pete Gauvin won the SUP side of the business. Dye and his duct-taped vessel managed to muster a second-place podium spot.  Highlight number two was watching Jack Charlesworth at the buoy absolutely stick the SUP buoy rounding despite the taunting and heckling brood on the dock wanting to see a swimmer.(pictured below is the long course start)

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Our two-mile short course ran as normal sending the paddlers to the 7 piling and back. This course is literally the most dependable course on the bay and can take wind from any direction and still get racing done. The perfect race for first-time racers for sure. Ariel Bryant showed her race number one victory was no fluke adding today's win to her mantle, and growing 101 hat collection. The moment of the day was the Jonas Moore / Caetano Walsh finish for line honors. It was the proverbial neck and neck run between the two as they ground it to the line. Apparently, Moore has a 2cm longer neck as he took the win from Walsh with the scantest of margins. We couldn’t push the timing buttons fast enough to capture the true gap. 

Thanks to all the volunteers who pitched in to help. Thanks to the photo boat of Cort Larned for keeping everyone safe and all the great pics. Another nod of thanks to the San Rafael Police boat for being on the water.

A special thanks to Jimmy Lewis boards. Jimmy donated a full carbon race board that was auctioned off. In a twist  of good karma super grom buoy turner extraordinaire Jack Charlesworth won the beautiful new ride. Thanks as well to Merchant and Miller Olive Oil for lubricating the affair with a really nice donation. Also, a quick apology to all our neighbors – those cowbells were rocking today! Thanks to everyone who raced and all the extra donations. We are super proud to be part of the strong community you all are.

Next race is January 15^th and we highly recommend signing up early as it will sell out. The race benefits Rivers for Change. If you don’t have race gear you can always rent it during our registration process.

More Information on our January 15^th race here

More Information on our February 15^th race here

More Information on our March 19^th race here

PHOTO & START LINE VIDEO GALLERY

OFFSET TIMES - Long Course boats good as is. Long Course SUP Minus 1 minute. Short Course Boats Minus 8 minutes. Shourt course SUP Minus 9 minutes.