Saturday, July 23, 2011

2011 Pier-2-Pier

Another annual tribal Santa Cruz paddlers' gathering went down, thanks yet again to Dave King, with many new faces this year, mostly in the stand-up division. It could be said that several tenured members of the West Side were notably missing, but then I was the only representative from the Monterey side of our shared Bay. And Phil Curtiss is presently off in Peace Corps for his second tour of duty. Selfishly speaking, he is missed here.

Just as the race began, the wind was up in our faces. I took the prone lead early, somewhat to my surprise. I really enjoyed that feeling, even if it was going to be short-lived. And when I rounded Pleasure Point ... I still had the lead. Just after that, I heard a bunch of guys up on the point screaming, hooting, whistling, just going off. Forget Red Bull and Monster, that's the biggest energy surge I've ever gotten. 

I won. On my 14-foot. First prone on the beach. I was stunned. This is rare. It's my first overall Pier-2-Pier win since I started paddling this race in 2005. I have many people to thank for this victory, too many to mention. You know who you are: you paddle way faster than I do, but you didn't show up! Or you were cruising instead of racing, as many do at this "unofficial" event. But I'm claiming it. This was my day, and I'm basking in it, thanks very much.  I'm sure you'll understand.

That wind didn't stop several of the SUP contenders from getting to Capitola's beach ahead of their prone counterparts, Tony Mueller first among them. The beach filled with paddleboards and the great July gathering commenced. This race, once again, has the best vibe, right up there with the Jay Race.

Thanks, DeeAnn for coming up with me and for the following pictures...

Arriving

Annual lineup, left view

Annual lineup, middle view

Annual lineup, right view


Dave's version of a "tweet" sent us on our way.

Tony Mueller, no one else in sight.

An older gentlemen from Carmel.

Michael O'Farrell

Jarret Winter and daughter (left) and Dave King (right).

Someone is now totally stoked on paddling. Better look out, Kanesa!!