When those conditions come together, having at least one friend available is key. The group meets at the ending point, changes into their paddling gear, loads one vehicle with the boards while putting the warm change of clothes into a second vehicle, then drives the loaded vehicle to the starting point. You can then be spoiled by a pure downwind experience. No paddling into the wind necessary. When you finish, you've got a warm change of clothes waiting. Good times.
Last night I briefly woke at 2 am hearing the wind howling from the north. North is good. Rising at 6 a.m., the wind remained strong with gusts up to 40 knots. It was colder than normal, about 35 degrees out. By 10 a.m., the wind had dropped to 25 knots with some gusts to 35 knots, and the air had warmed to about 55 degrees.
I contacted the usual suspects and some not-so-usual suspects in the hope of arranging a "downwinder." Nico was in Mammoth, Shane was in Monterey, John P. was in northern California, Scott S. was in Ventura, and Robert was in Utah. More calls, emails and texts were made, but no one else could make it. I knew it was me, myself, & I today. I'd have to earn this one.
"Earning It" is the moniker my friend Joel placed on the chore of paddling upwind so you can go downwind. Today, I earned it. Alone, I paddled my 14' Bark CT paddleboard upwind through 35 knot gusts & white capped seas for 2 miles. Averaging just over 4 mph, it felt like I went 6 miles or more. I wore a full wetsuit and still felt chilled while pushing, pulling and scraping my way (or more accurately swimming my way) upwind. I turned around, had a swig of the drink I brought with, and downwinded the 2 miles home. Before I knew it, I was there. My average speed: about 6.2 mph.
I earned it today. Bring on July 31, 2011.
My board:
My run:
-Steve
