The Mayors Cup, 26 mile race around Manhattan Island is the bomb this Fall . In addition to a world class field of surfski racers , the number of OC2s` entered in the race will surpass all other prior races on the U.S. east coast . This is urban paddling at its best . Cruise past the UN building , then at the final turn you face the Statue of Liberty up close and personal before the final sprint to the finish line.
Submitted by fuzerider on Tue, 10/07/2008 - 11:12am
Yeah, but you're still in NYC...
#1 Tue, 10/07/2008 - 12:45pm
Are the "waterfalls" still up under the bridges?
Or have they come down since the Liberty Challenge?
~~~~~~~~~~
YankeeHo'okele
"Anyone can steer the ship when the sea is calm" - Syrus Publilius
#2 Tue, 10/07/2008 - 1:28pm
Although I wouldn't want to huli in that water, the idea of racing around Manhattan and watching that skyline pass by is very cool. Maybe next year.
#3 Tue, 10/07/2008 - 4:13pm
Plus everything Fuze says is the absolute truth right?
I'll bet a chine that we have more outriggers at our little local downwinder than the Mayor's cup
And heck we already have had frost warnings
#4 Tue, 10/07/2008 - 4:21pm
Kanu, you may be right, but that may not carry much significance.
First to participate in the Mayor's cup you have to certify that you've qualified by participating in two races over 20 miles and you've been paddling for 5 years. That narrows the field significantly. Your local race requires you have no prior experience and nothing more than a boat and a paddle..(Nothing wrong with that.) Of course, I don't know that anyone investigates the certifications.
All in all, downwind is easier, so more people will participate in a downwind race people being people. Circumnavigating Manhattan will likely have absolutely no downwind legs (the prevailing winds are from the West). Nipping through Spuyten Duvil will provide the only likely downwind stretch in some very confined waters, so no one should anticipate surfing.
The mornings in NYC during the last two weekends have been in the 40s Fahrenheit and rainy. Always a challenge how to dress and should I buy something? That narrows the field. How's the weather where you are?
You have to have some minimum safety equipment including radios. That narrows the field. As we all know from this forum, OC-1's are allergic to PFD's and other safety equipment.
The level of ferry, water taxi, and powerboat traffic is mindboggling. This narrows the field. You can't simply put your head down, get in the zone, and paddle. Situational awareness over 360 degrees is imperative.
There's a cut off time. Bet your local race doesn't have a cutoff time where the slowpokes are towed in humiliation off the course. This narrows the field.
There will be OC's in the race. I project there will be more OC-2s than OC-1s. This is not your grandmother's race. Also, there are a full spectrum of kayaks and surfskis in the race, so it will be a surpise if an OC takes first overall. That narrows the field.
You may be right!
~~~~~~~~~~
YankeeHo'okele
"Anyone can steer the ship when the sea is calm" - Syrus Publilius
#5 Thu, 10/09/2008 - 4:23am
Sounds like an awesome race, but Yankee is somewhat mistaken to say that downwinders are easier. Usually when you're really hammering to catch bumps is when you'll get your highest heart rates. Check out Rambo's vid w/ the heart rate in the corner. I guess it depends what your strength is. Personally, I do better against the competition in upwind conditions, and you're really pulling hard up wind, but for sure catching those bumps and connecting them together get the H.R. up to the max. When you start learning how to surf you'll see what I mean, Yankee.
#6 Thu, 10/09/2008 - 5:19am
ohhhhh, slammed again. The camaraderie of paddlers, got to love it.
#7 Thu, 10/09/2008 - 5:44am
I didn't mean it as a slam, Jibofo. Frankly, before I started oc1ing a lot (the last 3-4 years), I would've said the same thing as Yankee, and I was already really experienced in oc6. It's counter-intuitive, but catching bumps is actually harder in a cardio sense than slugging it out upwind or in the flats. Especially when you don't do many downwind runs.
#8 Thu, 10/09/2008 - 5:48am
Damn Jim, you don't have to be a nice guy. But I agree, if you're trying to make time downwind its like an intense sprint workout.
#9 Thu, 10/09/2008 - 5:58am
New York harbor is ok to huli in , Hong Kong harbor is the no huli zone .
All truth all the time ............................
#10 Thu, 10/09/2008 - 7:21am
"New York harbor is ok to huli in , Hong Kong harbor is the no huli zone ."
Not so sure about that. I'm a steersman for NYO and I'm sure my Mudbrook paddle is slowly dissolving. The other day I was sure I saw it wobbling like a slack flipper. Of course the faint green glow is helpful during night paddling.
The old wharf piling remnants just below the surface, don't glow of course.
You are quite right, my surfing skills are negligible. I do know if you catch a wave after that sudden burst of stroking you get paid back in spades in both speed and distance.
Fair and balanced.
~~~~~~~~~~
YankeeHo'okele
"Anyone can steer the ship when the sea is calm" - Syrus Publilius
#11 Thu, 10/09/2008 - 10:26am
Yeah Yankee but , still , you have to admit that NY harbor water is like fresh pure Perrier compared to Hong Kong.
#12 Thu, 10/09/2008 - 10:27am
Mayors Cup was a total blast , many thanks to Ray and all who put it on .
The full story is on www.surfski.info
http://surfski.blip.tv/#1380939
#13 Mon, 10/20/2008 - 10:27am
Yeah, yeah. What's that quote bemoaning kayaks without rudders. The original kayaks were without rudders and the Greenlanders were exposed to far worse conditions.
Real men -- who aren't already consumed by paddling OC-1s -- paddle kayaks without rudders.
From what I've heard that boat-eating barge sitting on a stiff current was taking samples of all boat classes as they whisked by.
~~~~~~~~~~
YankeeHo'okele
"Anyone can steer the ship when the sea is calm" - Syrus Publilius
#14 Mon, 10/20/2008 - 1:48pm
I seen ya on the video at the start Fusey, looks like you kept well clear of the Barge.
Rambo
#15 Mon, 10/20/2008 - 11:33am
The barge became an issue for some of the racers , everyone stayed safe though.
I was on the OC2 in the bright lime green windbreakers.
Biggest water I`ve been on since Hawaii . After the race was called off the downwind run back to the start was a hoot.
#16 Mon, 10/20/2008 - 11:47am
I said that tongue in cheek Fusey, you were actually the closest to the barge.
See the vid of Fusey here http://surfski.blip.tv/file/1374552
The scary one of the Kayakers nearly being swept under the barge is here http://surfski.blip.tv/file/1374618
Some of them where actually swept under a barge further down the river, all recovered safely thankfully.
Rambo
#17 Mon, 10/20/2008 - 12:57pm
Yeah , thats right Rambo , In the video you can see me and my partner , Jim Meehan tuck in behind Mrs . Fuzerider and her partner Colleen Moore on the other 2 man as we kind of sneak past the barge...
It was a great ride coming back downwind after the race was called....
#18 Mon, 10/20/2008 - 1:30pm
"NY harbor water is like fresh pure Perrier compared to Hong Kong"
and you would know that because you have been to Hong Kong how many times Fuze???
what else did you say?? Oh, that's right:
"All truth all the time ………………………."
yeah right
#19 Mon, 10/20/2008 - 3:47pm
Yes, the Pacific has its allure. I wasn't there, but just remember we have our fun here, too. Here's the best story I've heard out of the race:
One of the more amusing story lines of the day came from one unfortunate paddler that met a Hudson log at the wrong time.
Lar Linde of Sweden was paddling an Epic 18x (Ray Fusco'boat) in fast touring division when he took off the top of one of the 6 foot waves only to come down on a log that subsequently flipped him. Not able to remount he ditched the boat(only to be recovered later) and swam for a pier on the Manhattan side.
Once he clambered up and was safe, he was surrendered by Port Authority Police with guns drawn!!!!!!!!
See my friend Lars happened to "choose" a ventilation pier for the Holland Tunnel- not good in NYC- and not good if you show up unannounced, wearing a "vest" and not arriving by boat! Not to mention dear Lars is a James Bond looking dude with a very nice foreign accent! The men in blue frown upon such encounters. Poor Lars had to make his way (escorted) back to the launch to provide I.D.
You can't make this stuff up.
~~~~~~~~~~
YankeeHo'okele
"Anyone can steer the ship when the sea is calm" - Syrus Publilius
#20 Mon, 10/20/2008 - 3:52pm
"Land of Freedom"
#21 Mon, 10/20/2008 - 8:12pm
fuzer, making friends again?
#22 Mon, 10/20/2008 - 8:19pm
yank, that story reminds of a time when our club's women's coach wanted to get some underwater footage of the women's stroke, so i volunteered to be dragged behind an escort boat in my dive gear trying to hold on to a video housing...
didn't take too long before the local coast guard noticed that a boat was trailing a diver in the water around the harbor (this was right after 9/11 so they were jumpy), and they zoomed out to us with some twitchy coasties in their dinghy... no harm no foul, except the enema i got from being dragged around. oh, and no vis, so didn't get any footage either.
#23 Mon, 10/20/2008 - 8:26pm
Dacho, next time put a GoPro on an adjustable foil and tow it behind. Save getting that Enema, unless of cause you like Enemas?
Go join the GoPro Users Forum, i need some more bodies.
Cheers Rambo
#24 Mon, 10/20/2008 - 8:32pm
it does make you regular... yeah yeah, that's what's vegemite is for- beat you to it.
#25 Mon, 10/20/2008 - 8:48pm
This looks like the ideal time for PooPoo to enter the discussion.
#26 Mon, 10/20/2008 - 8:56pm
Just got home from Mayors Cup and finally had time to read through all the stuff about the race.
Pretty incredible , the things that were happening , especially to Lars Linde who swam to shore just by chance , at the ventilation tube of the Holland tunnel and was recieved by police with guns drawn!!.
People on shore seeing kayaks capsizing in the river were calling 911 .
Surfskis getting sucked under a barge at the start. !!!
Those of us on the oc 2s stopped in the middle of the Hudson river when Lex and Rick pulled over to help a kayaker who had hullied and looked to be having some trouble getting going again .
After the guy in the kayak was upright again we lined up and restarted our race .
Just another day in paradise , on an OC2 ....
I was glad to be on an outrigger.
This is all pretty epic stuff . I love New York !!! :)
#27 Tue, 10/21/2008 - 3:26am