Hanohano Race in Mission Bay

What a day!  We arrived at Mission Bay bright and early at 7a.m., anxiously awaiting for the registration booths to set up.  I was told that this was the big kick-off race and I was excited to jump start my 2011 SUP season.  When we arrived, there were already many contenders preparing for the race.  Racers included OC1, OC2, Surf Skis, Prone and Stand Up.

Since I started SUPing almost 6 months ago, I've already competed in 3 races.  The competition is always fierce.  You always see the same names pop up on top of the list but I figure I've got some time to move up in ranking.  I came into today's race with more excitement rather than nervousness like I did in my other races.  Perhaps because with experience I'm learning about what to expect and am better at preparing myself mentally for the race.

The starting line was grueling as always.  I'd say it's worse than the 805/5 (freeways) merge at the Golden Triangle.  The racers had to merge between two boats at the start.  This is where I struggled and I lost precious time fighting through the traffic.  I need to work on my speed out of the gates so I don't get stuck way behind the pack like I did today and then have to work hard at catching up.  My finishing rank was somewhere in the middle of my class.  I was happy that I was able to finish strong and not totally wasted.  I've been working on my technique and conditioning, which I'll tell you about in another post.

Here's a shot from of the kids receiving their awards for their division.

The Hanohano Race was very family-oriented.  There were many kids that participated in their own division.  It was nice seeing all the families with their keikis (kids) enjoying the beautiful weather and sharing a common sport.  Also, there were many big sponsors for the race.  The big raffle prize was an OC1.  We stayed until that last ticket was called hoping we'd hear them say "Flowers".  But it wasn't my day to take home the OC.  I had such a great time at this race.  I know I'll be back next year and maybe even convince my kid to come race too.

Check out this cool truck driver hat all participants received!

Dreaming About Southern Baja

During the holidays, my good friend John took his annual trip to Southern Baja. You may have read about it on his blog www.paddlesurf.net Everyday I'd log in to check out what was going on with John and his surf crew. I'd drool over the surf photos wishing it was me on one of those waves. While the boys were basking in the sun, I was purchasing a thicker wetsuit so that I could handle the San Diego's cold winter (in reality, low 60s isn't that cold to some but I'm a female and we tend to get cold easily).

A Baja trip is definitely on my "to do" list. The first thought was to grab a couple of my girlfriends and plan a road trip. I realize that this can't be a spontaneous roadtrip (which I tend to like doing). It takes much planning and preparation. The other thought was "will it be safe for a carload of females to travel by car to get to Southern Baja?"

Today as I was checking out different You Tube videos on Stand Up Paddle, I ran into this one by Kristie Murphy. If you recall, I posted a video of her nose riding.  She is the Surf Queen on a longboard and I enjoy watching her videos.  After watching this one, I'm inspired to continue my plans for a Girls Road Trip to Baja!




But while I'm in the planning phase, any words of advice and suggestions such as the best dates to travel, where to stay, places to visit, etc. is welcomed.

All About SUP

My friends say I'm neglecting them.  Well, my pre-SUP friends.  These are my friends that I spent a good amount of time with before I started paddling.  We would do happy hours and weekend dinners and dancing.  Since I started paddling almost 6 months ago, I rarely do happy hours and late night-outs.  I'd rather go paddling in the afternoons, get enough sleep for an early 7 a.m. surf session and spend my extra dollars on something SUP related, like my new wetsuit!  (I'll post on it soon.)  My friends don't get it.  I'm not sure I get it either.  I just feel addicted and can't get enough of it.  When I'm not on the water, I'm You Tubing videos and reading different SUP blogs.  I guess you can say I'm in the "honeymoon phase".  But from what I can see with my new group of SUP friends, the "honeymoon phase" can last years and even a lifetime.

I can handle that!

A Paddle Worth Looking At

What another amazing day surfing at Dogpatch!  After last weekend's fun session,  I couldn't wait to get back.  Today was the day!  Surf was prime and the sun was beaming.  We arrived at 7am and surfed until about noon, with a break in between of course.  There were long lulls between sets and this allowed me the chance to chat with a few people who were out on the water with me.

Gnarly looking paddle.  How'd you like to get stabbed by that thing?!

This is Steve.  He didn't even get his hair wet the entire time we were out on the water!  He caught my attention with the wooden paddle he was paddling.  Steve is a carpenter who makes his own paddles and updated me on his next wooden paddle design.

These are Steve's personal collection of paddles he uses for SUP surfing.

Steve also custom designs tables and mirrors like the ones below:

Up top is a surfboard shaped bench and below is a mirror.

Thanks Steve for tuning me in to that wave which became my best wave of the day!  Catch you out on the water!

Evidence... I Can Surf!

I was STOKED to see this photo of me surfing from this past weekend at San Onofre:

It was posted on www.CaliforniaStandup.com.  Thanks Roland!

This is the first photo (that I've seen) of me surfing.    Check it out!

Best Surf Day Ever!

"Today was the best surf day ever!"  Okay, I was reminded that I've said that sometime before, but this surf day beats all the previous ones thus far and be ready because I'll be saying it again because I know it can still get better.  And what I mean by the "best surf day"-- my experience and not necessarily the weather and surf conditions (although that always helps).

When I got up this morning, this was the plan:

Plan A- 7:00am Surf Imperial Beach and be back on time for 1pm beach bbq. (Surf conditions: blah)

go to

Spontaneous Plan B- 7:05am Drive up to San Onofre and surf Dogpatch and still be back on time for bbq.

Results:

An awesome day of sun and surf.  The slow rolling swells of Dogpatch is just what I needed to really get my confidence back on track.  There were some really cool SUP people I've met previously (Hi Roland and Jake) that shared the surf with me.  But also the horrid surf ski guys that sometimes throw me the stink eye.  Every now and then, one of those surf ski guys will block a wave from me (jerks).  My good friend, John, taught me to hold my ground and keep paddling through.  I was nervous but listened to his advice.  I came real close to hitting a guy on his surf ski because he refused to budge but now he knew I wasn't going to tolerate it.  I caught a few long rides-- so fun!  Of course, I still received the usual beat down a couple of times by being caught in the impact zone but today I didn't let it get me down and immediately recovered from it.  It was nice coming out of the water with my confidence still intact and a smile on my face.  Dogpatch is definitely the ideal spot for a newbie SUP surfer like me.

We were a little late to the bbq but still on time to see this.

Yipee...Snow and Surf All in a Weekend!

What a beautiful weekend indeed.  The sun was blazing and the surf was just right.  And even with the sun on fire, the mountain peaks were still packed with snow because of the recent rains and cold weather.  Yes, our weather can be unpredicable and random but I love where I live. Both the snow and beach are right in my backyard.  Well, almost.  The beach is a quick 15 minutes drive and the snow resorts take about 2 hours. 

Amber, the Australian exchange student staying with us, was stoked to experience the snow yesterday and the Coronado Bay today.   It was her first time to see and play in snow and her first time to go stand-up paddling or shall I say, sit-down paddling.  It's always fun taking someone out paddling for the first time.  I'm reminded about how far I have come since the first time I jumped into the water. 

Here's Amber throwing her first snowball of many that day.

The Aussies with their host students.

Amber "almost" stand-up paddling.  

On a side note-- I have to mention that I was able to gain some confidence during my great surf session this morning in Coronado before we went paddling in the afternoon and I can't wait to go back out tomorrow!

All Better But Not Quite the Same

Okay, I guess I'm ready to talk about it.  I didn't know how overly protective I was with my Baby Takayama until I had to leave it at someone else's home.  There was a change in plans for the day and it ended up that I didn't need to take the board.

Well, you know that feeling you get in your gut when something isn't right?  When you know you shouldn't be doing something?  I felt that when I left my board at this house.  For whatever reason, I felt like my Baby wasn't going to be safe and watched over properly.  So why didn't I listen to my gut instinct?  It's like a mother leaving her child in an unsafe place.  I knew it and just ignored the feeling.  Always go with your gut instincts because then something like this can happen:

That's why you need to know someone like Pat in Imperial Beach who can get your board back into shape in a quickness so that you can jump back into the water asap.  Aside from the paint color, my board is back into its same condition before the "accident".  A cool sticker over the ding will serve as a constant reminder to never neglect my board and only leave it with someone I can truly trust.

Keeping Warm in the Winter

It's great working in education.  I get the same breaks the students get so I had 3 weeks off for the holidays.  I've been out surfing every morning this Winter break, except when it's raining.  It's tough getting out of my warm bed in the mornings.  I get cold so easily.  When I'm in the water, I rely on my wetsuit, booties and hood to keep me warm.  Outside of the water, before and after a session, can be brutally cold.  Sweatshirts weren't keeping me warm enough and when I'm cold, my motivation to change into my surf gear goes down.

The other week I grabbed my daughter's water polo jacket.  Perfect!  It kept me warm and it's large enough that I can discreetly change into and out of my gear underneath it.  I've inherited it as part of my pre-/ post-surf attire.

This is a basic swimmer's jacket, with a warm, thick fleece lining.  You can get it at a specialty swim store for about $75.  A friend of mine said that there are new jackets similar made specifically for surfers.  According to him, they are more durable and have wider arms so that it's easier to change underneath the coat.  Of course, you'll have to pay a little more for this "surf" jacket.  The cost is upwards from $100.  If you get cold like I do (who doesn't in this freezing weather!), invest a few dollars on one of these jackets and your body will love you for it!

Ready for Breakfast #2

In a previous post, I mentioned that the best part about surfing early in the morning, aside from catching an ultimate wave, is the post-surf-breakfast meal.  The past couple of weeks I have been surfing Coronado with one of its local residents, Mike.  He tuned me in to a great breakfast spot located in the heart of the village called Clayton's.  This humble little diner exudes a early 70's style that brings me back to "Happy Days".  We usually sit on the comfy stools at the bar.  If you're lucky, you can get a table but don't press your luck if you're not willing to wait awhile.  Clayton's can get busy, especially on the weekends and holidays when the visitors come through. 

I usually order the basics: eggs, hash and toast but check out this meal that my neighboring breakfast-eater ordered:

So if you every surf early in Coronado, swing by Clayton's afterwards for a hearty breakfast.

I Don't Want to Talk About It!

My Baby Takiyama...

FU@#-SH#$-DA*&

Need I say more???

A Quick Glance Back and an Exciting Look Forward

Do the years seem to fly by more quickly as we get older?  2010 just flashed before my eyes and 2011 is here!  As I reminisce the major events that took place for me in 2010, almost half of that year was occupied with Stand Up Paddling.

• August 1- first day SUP surfing, caught my first wave and wrote my first post;
• September 25- first SUP 3-mile fun race, Hennessey's Race in San Diego;
• October 2- first SUP surfboard division win and got to meet legendary Gerry Lopez, Battle of the Paddle in Dana Point;
• December 25- first minor surf injury aside from soreness and bruising;

Although there are only four bullets, there was a ton of paddling going on between all of it.  I am addicted to SUPing and have modified my life around it so that I'm able to get in the water as much as possible.  Ask my coworkers who deal with my quick-o-change-o routine (from business attire to swimsuit and shorts) after work most days.  If you've been keeping up with my blog, you're probably in the same position.  It was a fast a furious year for me and I'm excited for what lies ahead in 2011.

Look out race world because I'm gonna come out strong with Boga Boards (www.bogaboards.com) supporting me along the way.  This is a new Northern California paddleboard company who has garnered their faith in me.  We are both fairly new in the SUP industry and I have confidence that we will grow in strength together as the year progresses.  

Thanks to all my followers and readers.  It feels good knowing that there are actually others aside from mom and dad who are willing to read my blog.  I hope that keeping up with my SUP experiences offers you some knowledge, insight or humor as I learn from day to day.  Your comments are much appreciated so keep bringing 'em!  

Lastly--- Have a FABULOUS 2011 !!