OC1 Malibu to Marina 07

Aloha paddlers

Thanks to Brad and Angela Gaines of Paddleme.com for hosting the Marina to Malibu race. All I can say is, “It was fun, but glad it’s over.” For most of the way it was as flat as a pool table. The biggest wave came from the photographer’s escort boat, which we all took full advantage of. It was like someone offering you water in the middle of a desert, and then took your picture. Hey it wasn’t Brad Gaines fault. Heck he did everything possible to produce a great show, but Mother Nature wasn’t interested in her part.

Standup paddler negotiating the turn photo by Brian Vesty

But wait, in the last three miles, the wind began to blow and ripples turned into small swells good enough to ride. As usual the people all around you are the ones that really make your race, nothing else matters. Several of us converged after the start and locked onto each other the entire race finally finishing within seconds. The lead changed several times, but the fear that you were going to be dropped kept you in the game. At one point, things were looking grim and I was hanging on by the skin of my teeth, when the wind and swells came up. Halleluiah! I was saved. Born again, I took full advantage of it to gain a lead and stretch my cramping muscles. Eventually the last quarter mile of the harbor proved to be the most difficult, as the wind punished all of us equally and brutally.

Beautiful paddle boarder photo by Brian Vesty

Meanwhile up front, surf skier; Rami Zur literally crushed everyone, finishing about five minutes ahead of the field. Coming in second was Zsolt Szadovszki an ex Olympian from Hungary who was once considered one of the best of his K1 national team. Thomas Gallager, who has been a steady performer over the seasons finished third.

Steve Caldwell entering the last 2 miles photo by Brian Vesty

In the OC1 division, Danny Ching led the field, finishing more than five minutes ahead of the next guy. Second place was Bryan Mack. Bryan and Josh Crayton have been training partners lately culminating in a hellacious work out two weeks ago with Danny Ching, Josh, Tyson Poplar, Justin Banfield and Micah Carlson. Josh is known for his workouts. He doesn’t yell or cuss, he just stares at his watch after each piece and says, “Okay paddles up.” A friend Jerry Marcil once joked, “Josh knows no distinction between day and night when it comes to finishing a workout.” Not surprisingly, after the workouts, all the guys that trained together finished high in the standings. After Bryan were Tyson Poplar 3rd, Chris Conejo 4th, Steve Sinkus 5th and Josh Crayton 6th.

Trying to make a short turn on a long board photo by Brian Vesty

Zsolt Szadovszki in second place at Santa Monica photo by Brian Vesty

In the women’s OC1 it was Julie Wolfe again, making it three in a row. She’s been on fire lately. She must have been putting in the miles, because she hasn’t slowed down a bit. Congratulations Julie. Aimee Spector finished in a surprising second place in front of her coach Jill Schooler Shore 3rd. I asked Jill, “Are you proud that Aimee, one of your paddlers finished second?” To which she smiled, “Hell No. This is different, it’s me against her.” In fourth place was Ava Mauch and fifth was Jeane Barratte.

Danny Ching wearing his green face photo by Brian Vesty

Going over the falls. photo by Brian Vesty

Later everyone went to Baja Cantina, Sandy Kahanamoku’s favorite watering hole and continued the rich Marina Del Rey tradition. The age-old debate of which course was faster, the high course or the low course. Unless you totally screw up, to me it doesn’t matter. Basically, a gentle curved line to ride any bumps on a flat day is the best. The only thing that matters is whether you’re fast or slow. That’s the bottom line. The winners never seem to be wrong. But the one thing they have in common is, they are all fast.

Ali Kahanamoku Mermel looking good. photo by Brian Vesty

Adam Mermel got sick about 2 minutes into the race. He started throwing up and had to call the escort over to pick up his canoe. He was bummed after training all winter for this race. Adam, Steven Cho, Earl Almario and several Marina paddlers must have done the course more than anyone else. Maybe he ate something bad for breakfast, because it happened so suddenly.

Chris and Dena Conejo, Ava Mauch, Ross Flemer and Scott Granger were the last to leave the Baja Cantina. At one point the buckets of beers kept coming, so Chris asked the waitress if there was an open tab running. When she said, “Yes,” Chris panicked and said, “Oh no, close it.”

As we close out too, we thank Paddleme.com and all those who helped host and sponsor this race.

Luke, Kelly and Danny relaxing in the hot tub after a workout.

This Sunday April 2nd will be the last OC1 race in California. It will be from Catalina to Dana Point, which is approximately five hours for the winners. For the rest of us, well ...please bring lunch. Visiting Hawaiians Luke Evslin, Kelly Foster and Mike Hangai and wife Christine came over on Monday to get acclimated and do some sight seeing. Our living room was strewn with bodies at night. Later in the week, they will be staying at Josh and Jane Crayton's home, possibly in the same configuration. As of Tuesday the wind was howling and a double red flag was flying. Naturally Danny took them for a downwind paddle from Marina to Redondo, a distance of about 12 miles. Hopefully the wind and swells will still be with us on race day. We will be looking forward to seeing the rest of you Catalina.

Mahalo Al