Save The Bay Race
After a late Saturday night, I decided to go to the races. How long would
it take to paddle ten miles without my usual sightseeing, picture taking,
snacking, and general playing around. Lack of sleep and a two and half
hour drive at 5 A.M. should put me in top racing form.
7:30 A.M. I was in Mission Bay signing up for the ten-mile ocean race. I
took my little red boat off the rack. I have a 15 foot Seda Gypsy. It's
short length was great for playing in the dinosaur caves on the friendship
paddle but it's not exactly a race boat. I looked around at all the sleek
paddle craft, the surf skis, out riggers, and fast kayaks. Finishing last
will be all right I thought, as I put my seat back to take a short nap.
9:30 A.M. I swallowed three Advil and washed it down with one of those
caffeine, ginseng, vitamin B, energy drinks. Off to the pre race meeting,
my race strategy all worked out. Start in the back, if I pass anyone at
all it will be a great triumph.
10:10 A.M. We're off! For some reason I thought people would start slowly,
pacing themselves for the long voyage. Wrong, it was a sprint. As I crossed
the starting line I was losing ground quickly. Turning north past the
jetty, I had lost sight of most of the paddlers. As long as I could see
someone, I knew which way to go.
The course went up the coast past the pier, turned out to sea for about 3
miles, then angled back toward the harbor in the shape of a large triangle.
After rounding the furthest point out to sea, following seas came at an
angle with conditions degrading. The last leg of the course gave me plenty
of trouble. I fought to keep my kayak from broaching in the steepening
swells. Without a rudder, I did my best to edge my boat, trying to keep a
straight course.
The 10 mile course took me two hours seven minutes. I passed six boats,
got a good blood blister on my thumb, and met some great people. I thought
about getting a racing boat and a wing paddle (a serious competitor)! On
the long drive home I was starting to feel a little stiff and sore. I came
to my senses. I'll stick to cruising and surfing just for fun.
Steve Wilson
Submitted on July 24, 2001