SPAC Swell 3S & The Jay Race

At 0545 this morning there were 12 people out at GDubs. And it wasn't that good. Even with the higher tide, the shoulder/head high walls were sectioning. There weren't many corners, in fact, none that I saw. So I finished my warm-ups and walked down to look at Roots, which I didn't think would be working because of the tide. But it was. I surfed for a half hour by myself before a couple other guys on chips came out. Surfed for an hour and it was fun but my back tightened up on me so I got out and headed over to the Jay Race site.

At 0730 things were well underway at the race location. Gunnar and crew did a top quality job this year and from looking at the surface it ran like a well oiled machine. This due to all the hard work that Gunnar and his volunteers put into the race. Neil from the local paper was there to cover the event, and the sponsors (especially Surftech) will put up a classy website with pictures and the results. Everyone had a great time, the race was fun and competitive, the food was great, the raffle prizes high quality and the speakers were particularly inspiring. Each spoke briefly but to the heart of the matter. Jay didn't live long, but he lived a full and fulfilling life. He cared about people and set high goals that he was determined to accomplish. The message is that we can, and should do the same. Therefore...Live Like Jay. I'm for that.
(To view the slideshow click HERE.)

I paddled in the two-mile race on my custom Angulo eps SUP and finished in a blistering time of 45 minutes, which was very cool because it gave me a chance to paddle up coast to a seldom breaking bombora which was clocking over the reef in pretty consistent fashion. I surfed this little piece of ocean for about an hour and a half before heading back to the race site for some of the delicious grinds they were serving up.

Overall, a day like today is hard to beat. Shortboarding in the wee early hours, running the race at the midpoint, and finishing up with a fun SUP surf in the early afternoon. Cheers! I know Jay would have been proud.
June 13, 2009 (Sa) - Shortboard Session

In: 0545
Out: 0645
AT= 59F
WT= 58F
Wx: Light but wet drizzle with low cloud cover
Tide: 1.82' Falling to .93'
Wind: Calm
Sea Surface: Glassy with light sea surface rolls
6-10 Ward Coffey EPS (Marko Styrolite)/Epoxy Custom

Fin set-up: Thruster with Future Fins AM1 and Future 350 sidebites
Bathymetry: Sand bars
Deep Water Swell and Wave Face Heights CDIP Archive
Buoy: NWS (Farshore*)
0500: 3.3 feet @ 16 SSW (205) (3-4 ft. wave faces)
0600: 3.3 feet @ 17.4 S (205) (3-4 ft. wave faces)
0700: 3.6 feet @ 16 S (205) (3-4 ft. wave faces)
0800: 3.3 feet @ 16 SSW (215) (3-5 ft. wave faces)
0900: 3.3 feet @ 16 SSW (205) (2-4 ft. wave faces)
1000: 3.6 feet @ 16 SSW (195) (2-3 ft. wave faces)
1100: 3.3 feet @ 16 SSW (195) (2-3 ft. wave faces)
1200: 3.6 feet @ 16 SSW (205) (2-4 ft. wave faces)
1300: 3.3 feet @ 16 SSW (190) (2-4 ft. wave faces)

June 13, 2009 (Sa) SUP Session

In: 0945
Out: 1115
AT= 65F
WT= 59F
Wx: Partly cloudy with occassional sun. Gray rain clouds in the distance.
Tide: .76 Rising to 1.59
Wind: Light southerly
Sea Surface: Glassy in the kelp with a small wind chop late
10-0 Angulo EPS/Epoxy Custom SUP with Infinity Ottertail carbon fiber paddle

Fin set-up: Thruster with K2D2 4.75" center fin (fourth mark up from back) and Future Fiberglass YU (actual fin not shown)
Bathymetry: Rock reefs
Deep Water Swell and Wave Face Heights CDIP Archive
Buoy: NWS (CDIP Only)
See shortboard session.