Trident Sports Blog

So. Cal Ocean Race Series 2010/2011

A Southern California SUP race series update from Ernest “EJ” Johnson

Aloha Starboard Crew

So the Southern California Winter race series is on, with 10 races in its
entirety from San Diego to Santa Barbara with many stops in between

This organization was the First to include and embrace SUP racers about 6
years ago.

They really had no idea at the time how to include this new division nor how
huge SUP racing would be but some how managed to do it and always
gracefully.

A HUGE Thank you is in order for these Outrigger clubs in California that
gave us a start in their races. A special thanks to Cheance Adair for her
organization,calculation of points and supporting this huge So Cal Ocean
Winter Series.

Many of these races include a short course approximately 4-5 miles
part harbor part open ocean as well as a long course ( which recently got
added, for qualifying paddlers )10 miles or so for unlimited SUPs and all
other outrigger and traditional paddleboarders.

These races always go to a great cause benefitting junior lifeguards and
other Outrigger Canoe Clubs.

Here’s a short recap of how the first two races went.

The first race took place in La Jolla November 20th. This was a beautiful
days with light winds and sunny skies.
I did well on my original grey board placing 2nd in the stock division!
I also ended up on a OC 1 for the first time doing the long course which I
did OK on, but I need to learn the proper technique.
These two do not always crossover as easily, as one would think.

Last weekend December 3rd was the 2nd race of the series in Oceanside, again
I used my original grey board and placed 2nd.
The conditions were a bit chillier than the first race but the seas were
fairly calm making for a great race over all.

Stay tuned for my next update December 18th for the Tecolote 5000 from San
Diego in support of the junior Canoe and Kayak club!

For up coming events and race results, please checkout my web page:
http://www.johnsonbigstick.com/