2007 Past BlogsPosted at 02:13:38 PM
June 12th, 2007. Paddle season has arrived. With a race just about every weekend until August and many training miles left to paddle, and hopefully a few waves to ride, I feel the 2007 season is off to great start. The first race of the season took place in some stinky red tide wind slop on Friday, May 25, at the Hennessey's Return to the Pier Race in Hermosa Beach. Despite the sloppy conditions, the race was close, but in the end I was able to hold on to a victory over US Olympic Silver Medalist swimmer Chad Carvin. Extra pride was on the line since Carvin was sporting a heinous speedo and with the home town crowd heckling him for his choice in attire, I'm not sure what the boys would say had I lost . . . . The second race of the season was this Saturday at the Akolu Marineland Downwind Race from Palos Verdes to San Pedro. Conditions were a huge improvement over the Hermosa race with sunny skies and a trailing wind (that was the point of the downwinder) and the water temp was hovering in the mid to upper 60s. The pack quickly spread out in the bump, but by the time we came around the Point Fermin bell bouy covered with sea lions, I had built up a comfortable lead over the pack, including Catalina Classic record holder Tim Gair. So in a nutshell, things are off to a good start but it's a long road to defending the Catalina Classic for the Stars and Stripes.
My upcoming schedule includes the 20 mile Rock to Rock (Catalina to PV) race this Sunday, and the Hobie Waterman's Challenge at Doheny on June 23. Following those races I'll be hosting a free "Paddle Primer" clinic for some talented juniors at Torrance beach with Joe Bark Paddleboards.
Thanks for the continued support, Kyle Daniels. |
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