Using a kitesurfing leash

Since hearing the discussion lately about failing velcro on leashes I've started using my kitesurfing leash on my ski. It has carabiners on each end and a release. See the red handle with the arrow? That's the safety release which allows you to quickly unhook from the kite (or ski) and prevents "kitemares". The PFD I'm using is a Mustang inflatable with built in rings for a tether when sailing in rough weather.

Paddling Balandra (near La Paz)

Thanks, Chris for putting this together...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osOaFpHr3cs

BEST PADDLE OF MY LIFE... UNTIL WE DID THE SECOND RUN!

The wind had been blowing all night and when we awoke there was a nice swell producing breaking surf on the beach.  We knew the wind was going continue to build so we headed north. Warren, Allan, Renée and myself (Chris) set off  to the Hot Springs to do a 10km down wind run.  Renée dropped us off and returned with the truck to La Ventana stopping at the market along the way.  

After launching from the beach we headed north east to get into the bigger waves and to clear Punta Gorda.  The waves were beautiful... swell with wind waves on top.  The swell was moving fast and would normally be hard to catch, but the extra push from the wind waves sent you screaming down the waves.  

When we got back there were hi-5s all around and I remember saying, "that was the best down wind I've ever done!"  Renée was eager to paddle now so Allan volunteered to drive back up for another go round.  The wind seemed to be a bit calmer (maybe 15knots), but the waves seemed larger.  Once we were out off shore we realized that they were much bigger.  It was hard to stay together because people kept disappearing in the 6 foot swell.  Renée took a spill early on and we circled around.  Paddling into these waves was very humbling.  A few broke just as I was popping over and then I would crash back to the other side.

After flying down a few monstrous waves, I realized that this was definitely going to be even better than the first run.  As we neared La Ventana the wind was picking up again and the Kite Surfers were out in strong numbers.  Luckily they were all being blown down the beach giving us room to surf into the beach safely.

When we got back to Warren's camp I checked my GPS to see how fast we were going.  I remember Warren posting that he clocked his fastest time a few weeks ago at 18.2km.  My GPS was showing 18.3 so I now had the record... for a few minutes.  Then Warren checked his and he had an unbelievable 20.7km.  Warren exclaimed that it must have been the lighter boat... we were both in V-10s, but he had the Ultra.  I think it was more to do with the Wardog's strength and fearlessness!

What an amazing day to cap off an amazing week.  I have to return to the cold tomorrow, but we might try to break another record tomorrow morning.  The forecast is for 30knot winds.  

¡Adiós de La Ventana, Baja Sur!

Chris

This is Chris half way through a four hour paddle. For more photos go to the Surfski Baja Facebook page.

The four of us (myself, Alen, Kim and Rene) were finally able to get on the water today after 3 days of 25 knot winds and 7 foot seas. The remnants of the big waves helped me post a 18.2 kmph (11.3 mph) top speed.

This morning's paddle was a 20 minute time time trial. Light ocean swell, no wind. Average speed 12.6 km/hr. (7.8 mi/hr.) Maximum speed 17.1 km/hr. (10.6 mi/hr.)

To see what went down on the beach today go to Surfski Baja Facebook

Photo from the road.
This year the daily updates will be on the Surfski Baja Facebook page. Remember to "Like" Surfski Baja

I'm back in La Ventana for the winter. This year I'll be posting daily updates on the Surfski Baja facebook page but this blog will remain up to date with listings for accommodations, weather reports and archives for the last three years.

choice photos from the archives

That's a wrap

Well that ends another season of training in Baja and now it's off to Vancouver and Bellingham for the races. Back in October.

The perfect boat stand

After probably half a dozen variations on the surfski  stand I've finally attained perfection. Earlier versions were too tall and flexible, too narrow or too short to accommodate a variety of boats.
Here are the dimensions:
3/4 inch tubing
1 - 15" piece, 2 - 5" pieces, 6 - 7" pieces, 4 tee connectors, 6 end caps, and 36" webbing.

Resistance training in the surfski

From multicoach.co.za : Another form of Strength training is Resistance training. In other words having some form of resistance on your boat, to create drag.

I've been using resistance training once a week to prepare for the upcoming race season. As the article above mentions bungee cords around the hull are ideal but I found the water noise generated where the cord meets the surface annoying. I use a short length of bungee for the underwater portion of the hull and smaller diameter line and a quick disconnect for the above water portion. The bungee keeps tension on the line and provides just enough resistance to remove boat glide thereby allowing you to feel the paddle blade pressure throughout the stroke. I hate this workout.

14 mile downwinder from John Wayne's house

Today we did a 14 mile downwinder from Las Cruces (the crosses) a former movie star getaway. Las Cruces in it's prime catered to the likes of Bing Crosby, Desi Arnaz, and John Wayne. It's 14 miles north of La Ventana and not accessible by road unless you have connections. So we paddled there. 14 miles each way. Leaving at 8:30 am allowed for an easy flat water northerly trip and with the usual building wind in the late morning a downwind ride. We timed it perfectly as the waves built to about 2 feet in 20 knot winds. Good times.

Race report by Shaun of Bellingham, Wa.

Isla Cerralvo is a desert island in the Sea of Cortez that is 10 miles east across the water from La Ventana, Baja.  I have been coming to La Ventana off and on for 10 years to kiteboard and have always wanted to paddle across to this deserted island, populated only by herds of goats. Larry thought I was going just for the goats.

This race was our chance to do the crossing safely with boat support. Warren knew the race director, Tim Hatler, and had talked him into letting us compete. Warren was the first and only surfski competitor in the crossing race last year. 

Every year there are 2 races starting on the island coming back to La Ventana across a beautiful blue stretch of water. 

A light wind day is best for the SUP race, and a windy day for the kite race crossing.

Warren and I awoke early on Thursday morning, Jan 20, to do the race with the SUP's. The SUP's were to be transported over to the island by pangas (the local fishing boats) at 7 am. The race director told us our boats were too long so we would have to paddle over to Isla Cerralvo first to get there in time for the 930 am race started. We were on the road by 6 am to the put in north of La Ventana.

The morning was stunning. The moon had risen behind us to the east. The black water was calm and there was a slight tailwind coming

off the desert. The water felt fairly warm even though the air was cool. We set off about 630 am and paddled through several schools of

flying fish that skittered across the surface toward the thin orange line on the horizon where the sun was to rise in the next hour. 

I paddled the V10 over and Warren the V10 Sport. We planned to trade boats once on the island so that Warren would have a fast shot at improving his record time from the year before in the V10 of 1:34min for 10.34 mi, an average pace of 6.6 mph.

The sunrise was welcome and warmed us up for the rest of the relaxed paddle over. Warren guided us perfectly to the launch site on the 

18 mile long shoreline. We landed on the large sandy beach after an hour and a half of paddling just as the first panga full of SUP's and 

paddlers arrived. We hung out on the beach for an hour or so as the race organized. 

The race start was beautiful with 20 colorful SUP paddllers on calm water. Warren and I took off with them at the gun. I was hoping to 

keep him in sight in my V10 sport and enjoy the paddle back to the mainland. 

We took off fairly fast with Warren cruising up to 7.0 mph and holding the pace.  I took a slightly higher line, as we couldn't see our destination 

on the other side. We used various landmarks on the desert mountains to guide us. After the race, Warren's GPS showed a perfect straight line to Baja Joes, 

a small resort hosting the race finish line. 

I fell into line behind Warren and kept him in sight as he pulled steadily away. The water was beautiful with just occasional chop in the morning sun.

We quickly left the SUP's behind and shot straight across the Sea of Cortez. 

We were greeted with a large crowd of kiteboarding and SUP spectators who didn't really know we were in the race. They were curious about what kind of SUPs these were. One person said she thought they would be hard to stand up in. 

Warren had a great race. He paddled the 10.3 miles in 1:29, an average pace of 7.0mph. I didn't have a GPS but came in 6- 8 min or so behind Warren for a pace of about 6.4 mph, a nice cruise in the Sport. I have to thank Warren for going with me and making it a great day. La Ventana is a stunning destination for paddling, kiteboarding, and relaxation in the winter. 

 

 

The La Ventana Classic

The full moon is setting behind us. The sun is rising ahead. And we still have 10 miles to paddle to get to the race start.

Race start on Isla Cerralvo. It's a 10.3 mile sprint to the finish in background.

Race finish at Baja Joes. La Ventana.

The La Ventana Classic is the annually held kiteboarding, windsurfing, SUP and surfski race from Isla Cerralvo to La Ventana. This years running of the 10.3 mile surfski race had twice as many entrants as last year. There were two of us.  Pretty much guarantees a top three placing if you get into a race in it's early years.
Shaun S. of Bellingham, Wa. and I were on the water before dawn under the full moon for the 10 mile paddle to the race start. Because the surfskis were too big to be loaded onto the pangas (local fishing boats) for transport to the island we got double the value for our race entry fee. All other racers were ferried over to the race start.
The transition from paddling under full moon light to sun rise was the highlight of the trip. Not as much sea life to distract you this year. No whales or manta rays jumping as was the case last year.
Hoping for another doubling of the entrants in 2012.