Jay Race 2015: Year of the Grom

The iconic annual gathering of paddlers at Capitola Beach that is the Jay Race has always been treated by the Santa Cruz locals as a family event. This year, Frosty Hesson proclaimed the 2015 Jay Moriarity Paddleboard race the year of the grom. One look around the crowd suggested he was only stating the obvious.

Yours truly is at the other end of the age continuum, though it could hardly be said the over-50 contenders were in short supply.  Suzanne Riedinger was paddling a brand-spanking-new Bark stock, a present to herself in celebration of her 70^th birthday.

The race itself turned 14, but, if you have paddled this race, you likely agree with me that it never gets old.

Course conditions were glassy, with only minor bumps on what’s normally the downwind leg beginning at the mile buoy.

After the main paddleboard events, obstacle courses for the groms were enthusiastically attended. Kim Moriarity could be seen urging them on. One glimpse convinced me the future is bright indeed.

Here are a few photos – shots on the water were taken by DeeAnn, from Chardonnay II.

Nick Bryson's downward facing dog inspires a yogic moment.

Suzanne Riedinger

Mike McDaniel (foreground)

The "downind" leg. Every bump helps.