Rock Race Practice
Six of us; Don, Duane, Jack, Mike, Steve W, and myself participated in the practice. Jon & Kastle arrived too late to participate in the practice so they just enjoyed the paddling until we linked up with them on our way back. Duane and others voiced concern that the obnoxious waivers everyone signed had surreptitiously changed their party affiliation (I won't say to which one, lest a firestorm of email begin). The waivers required not only a signature, but being initialed multiple times. It covers all the practices prior to the race as well as the race itself, so it only has to be done once.

The primary objective of the practice was to cover the course as closely as possible considering the poor tidal conditions and we were able to that. The waves were small-to-nonexistent almost everywhere, probably the flattest we have ever seen it on this section of coast. So, we did practice the course, but it was not really under conditions we are likely to experience on race day.

We pretty much just followed the course on the way out to Rest Point, but on the way back we just played in the rocks wherever opportunities presented, which was in several places.

In spite of the calm conditions, we were able to do a little surfing at boulder beach on the way back. By then Jon and Kastle had joined our group, putting eight of us surfing in that small area. It was crowded, but somehow we managed to keep from running each other over. It was fun, but you really have to be careful surfing there, even on a small day. There are a lot of hard sharp nasties lying just under (or above) the surface waiting to ruin your day or worse. Unlike some other rocky locations that have threats of carnage that never seems to materialize, this spot delivers! We have had several incidents here, but thankfully none today.

The only combat roll of the day (that I saw) was on the way back at Shark Rock. Mike got hung on a rock and flipped, but rolled back up smartly. We played for a while in the rocks seaward of Shark Rock. Usually this is a no-mans land of curling breakers, but today it was barely agitated enough to make a game of it.

It was HOT! The rock play soon morphed into rolling practice which was really just an excuse to cool off. Several of us got out of our boats, using various pretenses and excuses to do so. It helped, but from my standpoint even the water was just too warm.

Anyway we accomplished our objective, had fun, and did it without any carnage. I'm looking forward to the full course practice this coming Saturday with much better tidal conditions and forecasts already pointing to more lively swell conditions as well.

www.brown-web.net/kayak/Future-Trips/RockRace/RockRace.htm

Steve Brown

Submitted on September 13, 2004