The closing races of the SoCalOceanRacing series included a wind swept Dana Ocean Challenge, a fogged out PaddleMe.com Championship Malibu to Marina Parade and the always exciting Ocean Ohana Catalina Relay. Dana Outrigger hosted another stellar, near-record-breaking-number-of-paddlers race, with the SUP and traditional paddleboarders coming out to join the OC1, OC2 and surfksi regulars to enjoy the challenging conditions that the harbor has to offer. I was reminded on that day in early March, as I faced headwinds in both the long and short course return leg, that these headwinds would once again greet me at the end of the Ocean Ohana Relay later that month. The final race of the SoCal season wasn't a race at all, but an enjoyable parade from the Mailbu Pier. Where is the pier? There! Where? As fog covered it, then lifted. We waited, nearly stranded as the shuttle that brought us to our canoes at Mailbu drove off; all of our cars waiting in the lot at Mothers Beach in Marina. Who knew? We waited, hoping the fog would lift, it did, then it came socking back in. No way with the distance to cover, and the contour of the shoreline would it be safe to send paddlers out into the fog for an actual race. Beer run! Chase boats with dangling "carrots" of favorite brew to entice us onward. We did 10, 15 and 20 minute pieces back to the finish line. It turned out to be quite fun and educational as I was schooled in the art of chase boat wake riding. I think I failed but had fun trying!
As this year's recipient of the peer-voted Mike Shea Most Inspirational Paddler award, I would like to thank Thomas Maximus Shahinian for his sponsorship of this perpetual award. I also thank my friends and fellow paddlers for finding me worthy to share the honor with other more notably inspiring paddlers: Dee VanWinkle, Rich Long, Nick Hanoian, and Chris Barlow. I am humbled and very grateful.
The end of March brings the Ocean Ohana Catalina Relay. If you haven't already heard, one of the entries in this year's event was SUP paddler Jodie Nelson who made her trip a solo venture to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. It was a remarkable crossing for Jodie, accompanied by a whale nonetheless! When we came upon Jodie and her chase boat near the harbor entrance, I recall thinking as I saw her standing on her board, "I wonder if she is wishing she could be sitting as much as I wish I could be standing right now!" Congratulations to the many paddlers who made their way across the Pond that day. Additional congratulations to the Epic and Valhalla Junior surfski winners this year! A lot of fine paddling talent is coming out of the Junior Canoe and Kayak team efforts of Chris Barlow and staff. This year 15 year-old Kevin Stock who finished the series with 275 points based on his 5 best races, wins an Epic surfski, and 16 year-old Katarina La Juenesse finished with 273 points, winner of the Valhalla ski. Congratulations!
Now that winter solo and double, SUP and paddleboard racing is over, we move into the SCORA OC6 paddling season! The first race of that season was May 8th in San Diego, hosted by veteran race hosts Hanohano Outrigger. We had over 80 canoes on the water for the kids and novice event. Last week we were up in Santa Barbara rounding oil rigs, and next week we race the coast along Marina del Rey. Complete results can be found at socaloutrigger.org website as well as information about future SCORA races.
Please watch for outrigger list emails regarding an effort in SoCal to win a grant from the refresheverything Pepsi giveaway. We are pooling our talents and efforts to begin a grassroots effort to bring outrigger paddling to the returning wounded vet and challenged athletes. In order to begin a program that provides adequate adaptive equipment and resources, we have to have money to fund the project. The grant is awarded to the idea that generates the most votes daily over a one-month period in the 50g category. It will be called the Freedom Outrigger Project, and if it is accepted by Pepsi in the July submissions, we will begin asking for all of your support by voting daily for the idea – stay tuned!
And paddle safe, Cheance
Photos by Chris Silvester