Santa Cruz Surf Kayak Contest -

[GeoffCJ]

Santa Cruz Paddlesurf Festival

March 2007

Santa Cruz is the largest paddle surf contest in the country, and one the bigger events in the world. People come from all over the world to surf the famous Steamer Lane. There was big contigent from Ireland and England. I got another new boat, the Mega Megatron. Best surf boat ever. I hadn't competed in the expert class at Santa cruz before, it was only my second contest competing as an expert.

I woke up Firday morning, and I'm sick. Vomiting and the Big D. Bummer. Ugh. I get to the contest site, and into the porta johns. Double Ugh. Not my worst reaction, but pretty bad. I suit up anyway, and head out.

Contests are organized into 19 minute heats, with 4 people surfing in each heat. To advance, you need to finish well in each heat.

I figured if I could hold it togther for 30 minutes, I'd make it.

The last two years I've gone to SC, I haven't been entered, for a variety of reasons. Anyway, I went out Friday in a brand new boat, that I'd never surfed before, and WON my heat. What!!? I got some sweet rides, but I was still surprised since I was up against some paddlers that I really respect. On Saturday, I placed second in my heat, again against some really good paddlers. Good enough to have me ranked 7 (out of about 40 experts in my division.) by saturday night. Enough to put me in the semi-finals Sunday. Surfing sunday had been my entire goal, so I was really excited. It was really cool that 4 of the guys I surf with frequently (Desmond, Chris Russ, Eric, and Buck) all made the finals too.

I was fired up and excited. So much fun. I showed up Sunday, paddled out. Waves were smaller, and I knew I'd need every point to advance, one of the guys in that heat ended up winning the contest. It was getting towards the end of the heat, and I took a smaller inside wave. At the end, I tried to throw a big finish move, and as I looked over my shoulder on the move, I saw a large exposed rock. ooops. I was pummeled against it by the waves for a minute, and ended up swimming.

I was still thrilled, really happy with how I paddled, and happy to make it to the finals. Next year I want to be in the final heat! I was especially happy to do so well when my gut was churning all weekend. About all I ate was rice crackers and gatoraide.

If you're interested in seeing more pictures, check out my website (non-commercial)

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[miles2go]

Hey Geoff,

Glad you had such fun and did so well, in spite of the compromises! You would have laughed if you saw the rerun of Seinfeld that I saw just this afternoon. Jerry was talking about how the ocean doesn't really want us in there, like surfing is the big eject thing. You paddle out and then the waves are like bouncers at a bar, saying "oh no you don't".

Kinda like the whole celiac/gluten thing.

It is warmer here in Maine and even though there's still snow on the ground, all them crazy college kids is wearing shorts.

Dreaming of paddling days soon to come,

Margaret

[Ursa Major]

Good for you, Geoff, for doing so well despite not feeling so great. I loved looking through the pictures, it sure looks challenging and like everybody was having a good time!

[NoGluGirl]

Santa Cruz Paddlesurf Festival

March 2007

Santa Cruz is the largest paddle surf contest in the country, and one the bigger events in the world. People come from all over the world to surf the famous Steamer Lane. There was big contigent from Ireland and England. I got another new boat, the Mega Megatron. Best surf boat ever. I hadn't competed in the expert class at Santa cruz before, it was only my second contest competing as an expert.

I woke up Firday morning, and I'm sick. Vomiting and the Big D. Bummer. Ugh. I get to the contest site, and into the porta johns. Double Ugh. Not my worst reaction, but pretty bad. I suit up anyway, and head out.

Contests are organized into 19 minute heats, with 4 people surfing in each heat. To advance, you need to finish well in each heat.

I figured if I could hold it togther for 30 minutes, I'd make it.

The last two years I've gone to SC, I haven't been entered, for a variety of reasons. Anyway, I went out Friday in a brand new boat, that I'd never surfed before, and WON my heat. What!!? I got some sweet rides, but I was still surprised since I was up against some paddlers that I really respect. On Saturday, I placed second in my heat, again against some really good paddlers. Good enough to have me ranked 7 (out of about 40 experts in my division.) by saturday night. Enough to put me in the semi-finals Sunday. Surfing sunday had been my entire goal, so I was really excited. It was really cool that 4 of the guys I surf with frequently (Desmond, Chris Russ, Eric, and Buck) all made the finals too.

I was fired up and excited. So much fun. I showed up Sunday, paddled out. Waves were smaller, and I knew I'd need every point to advance, one of the guys in that heat ended up winning the contest. It was getting towards the end of the heat, and I took a smaller inside wave. At the end, I tried to throw a big finish move, and as I looked over my shoulder on the move, I saw a large exposed rock. ooops. I was pummeled against it by the waves for a minute, and ended up swimming.

I was still thrilled, really happy with how I paddled, and happy to make it to the finals. Next year I want to be in the final heat! I was especially happy to do so well when my gut was churning all weekend. About all I ate was rice crackers and gatoraide.

If you're interested in seeing more pictures, check out my website (non-commercial)

Open Original Shared Link

Dear GeoffCJ,

Congratulations! It is great you did so well despite your suffering! You should be proud!

That is so awesome! What a bummer about that huge rock! Next year, maybe you will win!

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

[GeoffCJ]

Dear GeoffCJ,

Congratulations! It is great you did so well despite your suffering! You should be proud!

That is so awesome! What a bummer about that huge rock! Next year, maybe you will win!

Sincerely,

NoGluGirl

Thanks all! I'm hoping that figuring out the Celiac (and corn?) issues (diagnosed in January, but gluten free since Christmas, '06) will help me get my medical issues under control, and as such train better, and perhaps do even better in future competitions!

Geoff