How to Open a Beer... the Kiwi way.

The Jay Race 2012

Had a great time up in Santa Cruz for the Jay Race.

A beautiful, windy day in Santa Cruz.
This was just south of our finish area.
Notice those white caps at sea.

I met a new-to-me but long time stock paddler named Matt Sack who apparently has done all the Molokai races. Also met up with a lot of old friends I hadn't seen in a while and made some new ones. A great day on the water.

 I went up with the goal of racing the best stock race I could. The prior course record for stock was 2:08:20. With some downwind conditions on the way back, I managed to beat that with a 2:03:38.  Stoked!

Coming in at the end feeling good.

Here's the thing: Jack Bark, on his stock, had a time of 2:00:18!

Jack cruising in.

*The above three photos courtesy of Jason MacMurray.

The awards ceremony, post race:

Bob Pearson on the far left, Kim Moriarty on the far right.
Five of the Top six, Left to Right:
Jack Bark, me, Greg Ford, Deon Lourens, and Jim Montalbano.
Missing is Matt Sack from HI.
*Photo courtesy of the Bark family.

My race stats as recorded on my Garmin 305.

 


 Thank you Santa Cruz for hosting us!

We did a downwinder.

Yes.  This bunch of fools. 

And it was fun.

The Davenport Eight:  Jack, Joel, Reno, me, Sam, (Sam's buddy whose name I cannot recall), Pete & Vince.

Oh yeah.

Photo courtesy The Stephen Caldwell Family Collection.

Paddle for George

George Ramos has done 15 straight Molokai-to-Oahu solo paddles.  He's one of the originals.  He's also an incredibly nice guy who helped me out my first year doing Molokai.  Just easy going straight forward advice and kindness.

George was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.  The community has come out to fight with him!

CLICK FOR LINK TO A BEAUTIFUL VIDEO FROM JAMIE MITCHELL ABOUT THE PADDLE FOR GEORGE!

Go George Go!

Molokai 2011 with Eric Abbott.

So here's one from Eric Abbott & Vertra Sunscreens:





Looking VERY MUCH forward to the race this year!

The Davenport Experience

THE DAVENPORT EXPERIENCE.

I'd heard about it.

I'd read about it.

It's real.

Get yourself there.

Do this race.

I did.

My square tailed stock board & Reno's blue 14.

Ghostryders Watermen's Club of Santa Cruz put this event on, a 14 mile downwinder from Davenport Landing to Santa Cruz's Main Beach.  Whoa.  It was insane.

Mike D of the GRWC.

These are my less than impressive stats:



I averaged 6.2 on a stock board.  Jack Bark averaged 6.3 on a stock board.  Matt Becker averaged 7.0 on a 14' SUP!  We were FLYING!

I will return for this race every year.

BARK Downwind Fun

Bark: Thursday Downwind from Soul Surf Media on Vimeo.


Here are the stats from that day.

 THANK YOU, CHRIS AGUILAR & JOE BARK!!!