Out of sheer curiosity...anyone else think that races should be run upwind first so that you can come back downwind with the swell...
Just wondering...and if any of you did the race in la jolla then you know why I'm wondering...that was brutal...
See you on the water...
Submitted by nb1376 on Sat, 11/11/2006 - 4:56pm
Definately upwind first, if possible.
#1 Sat, 11/11/2006 - 5:24pm
When I used to ski (snow), we called it "earning your turns".
Out in Utah, some of the best snow in the world was not lift accessible and you hiked (post-holing) in to the good stuff. Paddling upwind reminds me of those death marches. You feel double good about your efforts when you turn around for the downhill run.
The Treasure Island race down in Florida a few weeks ago was set up to maximize the downwind/following seas.
We still had an upwind finish on the flats, but it was worth it for the extended downhill rip.
#2 Sun, 11/12/2006 - 6:17am
I liked the downhill run first in La Jolla. You are fresh and strong and warmed up when the turn comes. After that it was hard but only 4 miles of that. In a short 8 mile race it was at least interesting to run a "reverse". In a longer race I prefer uphill first.
Aloha
Christian
#3 Mon, 11/13/2006 - 8:44am
I know many people prefer to maximize the downwind, but I really think that races should test both skills if possible--I say upwind and downwind. I don't care about the order--maybe just set the course and let mother nature decide.
#4 Mon, 11/13/2006 - 9:23am
Christian, my gps said 9.99 mi...it was a great race, lots of fun bumps to ride on the way out! Even coming back was "fun", but in a different way.
#5 Mon, 11/13/2006 - 2:35pm
haha to be honest i did not enjoy coming back upwind last at all....i got passed by like everyone...o well now i just need to start working harder...fun...
#6 Mon, 11/13/2006 - 4:45pm
No way do I think we should go up-wind, I could see if your training, but not for race day, up-wind sucks... I enjoy surfing down-wind, poping that ama, and enjoying the ride. It's all about having fun and surfing down-wind.
#7 Mon, 11/13/2006 - 8:25pm
Life is not all downwind.
A "complete paddler" should be adept at up and downwind paddling (and crosswind and no wind for that matter).
#8 Tue, 11/14/2006 - 5:21am
La Jolla was my first OC-1 race and the first time I ever paddled an OC-1 in the ocean (usually paddle in Lake Havasu, AZ). I was crying for my mommy. Can't wait for race number2 in Oceanside!!!
#9 Thu, 11/16/2006 - 5:20pm
hey thats awesome jibofo...oceanside should be an awesome race...last year they changed the course race day so that it ran straight into the wind and then straight back with it...so hopefully they do that this year if theres any wind at all...
#10 Thu, 11/16/2006 - 7:36pm