RE: [Paddlewise] San Juan Challenge

I didn't paddle in the 1997 San Juan challenge. I wish I had since the
conditions sounded like a lot of fun!  In 1998, the seas were mild which
definitely favored the surf ski crowd.  

I share your fantasy about the race --- except for the bikini clad kayak
groupies.  My wife and kids will be at the race this year (as spectators)
and I'd rather my wife didn't know about the bikini clad groupies that
routinely greet the winners of kayak races.

But seriously folks, could you get enough participants to hold a real rough
water race?  I don't think so.

I'd love to see a race that started and ended on a surf pounded beach on the
open coast.  Or maybe a race that included crossing the Columbia bar in the
winter.  I just don't think there are enough people who enjoy rough water to
make such an event worth while.

What about it?  Are there any nutty rough water racers out there?  Maybe we
could hold a "paddlewise rough water" race sometime and start a new
tradition.  The Tsunami rangers aren't the only adreneline junkies who
paddle sea kayaks.

--Tim



-----Original Message-----
From: Tomckayak_at_aol.com
To: timothy.g.mattson_at_intel.com; paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Sent: 2/19/99 9:51 PM
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] San Juan Challenge

My fantasy is to eddy hop though Obstruction pass as a dozen swimming
racers
and their surf skis get carried away by the current, with jet ski's
buzzing
helplesly around them. The whole group disappear into the roaring wind
of
Rosario strait. I then paddle in silence to the finnish line to be
greeted by
bikini clad Sea kayak groupies!!   
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/
***************************************************************************