Santa Cruz SUP Fest 2011 Report
Race Reports from two SUP Team Riders: Gillian Gibree and Anne-Marie Reichman
Gillian Gibree:
The Surftech Duel-athon in Santa Cruz had to be the craziest race I have ever done! When I arrived at the beach on race day and saw the huge surf, 35mph winds, overhead shore break, steady rain, and uneasy lifeguards I was sure they would call it off. We all decided we wanted to give it a go, so the race directors shortened the course and cut out the run portion. As we lined up to begin the race, it began to hail! I think this was a new experience for the Hawaiians. They sounded the horn and we all began our battle with the shore break, which some racers never got through. I managed to get through the surf zone without a fall and paddled closer to the wharf to catch the rip, and was welcomed by the angry sea lions snapping at my paddle. As I rounded the wharf, I followed the leading pack of men back in to the beach in search of the first buoy. It wasn’t until we were almost in the surf zone that the lifeguard pointed us in the right direction-back out to sea! As if the conditions weren’t already tough enough, we just added an extra up winder to the race. The other racers were lucky enough to hear the guidance from the event staff at the end of the wharf, and as I paddled out to the buoy I watched the other females take a commanding lead.
The race was a test of determination and mental strength. The rain was pelting my eyes, my legs were starting to weaken under the choppy conditions, and at times I wasn’t sure if I was moving. Even in a 3/2 and booties my limbs were numb. I thought to myself ‘Why didn’t I go to the race in Mexico instead?’ As I finished my final lap, I surfed some nice down winders back in to the beach, but before I could have too much fun the ocean destroyed me in the shore break. I ditched the board, bodysurfed into the sand and ran to the finish line. I made it! Besides the grueling conditions, it was a great weekend in a cool town with the other Starboard team riders. Everyone who surfed or raced in those conditions was a champ!
Anne-Marie Reichman:
Not that long ago the Santa Cruz SUP fest 2011 got my attention through Facebook. I received a message from Surftech: “Hey ElevenCity Tour… have you been training?… come over and join the race!” I contacted Nikki + Dan, Mark, Eric and Gillian to see if they had a 12’6″ board for me to borrow as it’s hard to bring a 12’6″ if you have a flight with a United Express plane. (all Starboard CA related from team riders to team managers).
Before I knew there was a board available, affordable tickets by United Airlines, a place to stay in Santa Cruz area, a car to borrow and lots of fun people to reconnect with again. Nikki and Gillian were both keen to be there and I couldn’t wait to get to know Gillian, reconnect with Nikki and see how we (as SUP Starboard women) can work together on projects, promotions, clinics and events in 2011.
Due to a strict final entry date on the SUP elite entry, I was not allowed to enter the SUP surf elite race. The intermediate surf contest was still open to join, so I got my 8’0″ Tiki ready plus all my racing accessories (hydro pack, race leash, hydration fluids, racing pants and wetsuits in case it’s cold and rainy, booties and finns).
Thursday night I took the “Jet eye” flight from Maui – LA, LA – San Jose and at 10.30 am local Cali time, I cruised the Highway 1 in heavy rains and stormy weather.
The Elite Surf SUP contest was going on in the poring rain and howling onshore winds. The paddlers had to paddle out on their knees before they could catch the waves at “The Lane”, west side Santa Cruz. The waves were there! So that was definitely not the problem here. Challenging low temperatures combined with rain made it easier for me to accept I could not be part of it. I give all credits to all who did.Zane Sweitzer was ripping and he ended up winning the SUP contest.
Enough challenges were left over the next day.At 5 am my alarm went of (Maui time, this is 2 am…!).
I packed my racing stuff together, made a coffee, managed to eat some breakfast and made sure I was a little before 7 at the contest area.Gillian had brought me a board from San Diego which she had picked up from Eric Disque (Starboard CA). It was nice to meet Gillian in person as we had been in touch over the phone and email. She is also a Roxy rider and does a lot of inspiring SUP yoga lessons. Besides that, she’s a strong paddler and loves riding waves as well. I wanted to prepare all that was needed: Put in the right finn, connect my leash, wax the tail of the board (in case I needed to surf some waves in… ), have my hydro pack ready and get myself ready.
How do you get ready when it is 47F (is that 12 C?) degrees, it is raining, hailing and the wind is blowing 20 – 25 knots on shore There is only one way: survivor mode!
Normally I never race with a wetsuit on. Purely because it gets too hot when you give it all you’ve got in a race. But today I felt I had to just do it. My 2-3 mm Roxy full suit was the one of choice. Running and jumping up and down the beach I did not get warm, so I was hoping the race was going to get me warm. A few minutes before the start, hail started thumping down on the beach. It was pretty crazy and all competitors started laughing as that’s all we could do! The craziness became an element of fun! All lined up at the start line, a massive set approached the shore line. We all knew that these kind of waves require timing. Especially when you want to paddle out with a 12’6″ board.
The count down from 10 – 0 happened and we all jumped on our boards + paddled on our bellies outside the shore brake. Hacking into the wind we slowly made progress. It seemed that the people closer to the wharf got out easier with a little more wind protection. So many people were falling of their boards as the chop and wind made an almost impossible whirlpool of waves coming from all directions. Quickly most people were paddling on their knees to make it around the wharf. The on shore waves and wind were scary, as they pushed us inside… Once around the wharf, a lot of people paddled inside to the beach. 2 Organizers on the wharf told me to go straight towards the light house and so I did. Once I got to the buy, some paddlers had to paddle more meters as they went inside. Gillian was one of those unlucky paddlers and lost the lead she had made at the start of the race.
Stand up paddling, combined with falling in and paddling on my knees I completed one round. My body wanted to go in (I was still cold and cramped from the low temperatures), but my mind made me stay out (as usual… haha). Round 2 was happening the same way. Seals were barking around me and they popped up next to me some times. I thought this was super cool as I never had paddled with so many seals around me! Massive kelp beds and seaweed were another challenge. I thought that the high tide would help with this factor so I used my 26cm normal race fin. How ever… my weed fin (after the fact) would have been a better choice. Candice was leading the women. It was cool how we encouraged each other and all showed each other support as we were all dumb founded how gnarly the conditions were.
The 3rd and final round was not much different than the previous 2. My body temperature was still cold and the cold was taking a lot of my energies. Finally I saw my finish come closer. A few close out shore brake waves clipped me and I held on tight to the board as I was washed upon shore. Before I was allowed to finish, I had to run around a flag on the beach. The running was a sign for me that it was over and I was so happy I hung in there and overcame this challenge!With a big smile I crossed the finish. Happy that it was over and also happy that I completed the entire course.
I ended up 2nd, after Candice and before Gillian. Stoked.
2 Hours later, the intermediate surf SUP contest was about to start. My core body temperature was far below what it should be, so I passed on that. Instead I had a hot shower that could not last long enough. Gillian and I cruised Santa Cruz before the award ceremony and party. The vibe was again amazing with so many positive people!
All my compliments to Surftech and all sponsors who put on an awesome and very well organized event!
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