New plans for OCPaddler.com! (Apr. 1st)

This was an April fools joke that covered the main page April 1st, 2007
I've been running this website for over four years now with moderate success. People seem to like having their results online and sometimes there is something worthy to talk about in the forums. Really though, what gets the most attention is the personal stuff. The juicy details, things no one would say anywhere but the internet. That is why I'm changing OCPaddler.com into my own personal paddling blog! No more results or race coverage, you can check the newspaper for that. It's all about me!
First of all, some background for those who don't not know me. I've been at college for the past four years. Here is a picture of the nearest body of water to my school:

The stuff that looks like poop floating in the water is ice. The water is brown because of the poop in the water.
So I haven't been paddling much the past four years. I will probably start paddling again next season so I will have plenty to talk about then. For now I'll share some of the last few times I've been on the water. You can also send me your inside info or people/product bashing rants and I will post those too!

Beverly Challenge race

This was a race just north of Salem Massachusetts (yes, the witch place -- they have witch stuff all over that town, it's kind of neat!). Look at me go! I had a great start. But then about a minute in I remembered this was an aerobic sport.
Me at the end:

I ended up getting beat by almost everyone, including a 16 year old girl on a surfski! I maintain my pride in telling everyone I once beat Kelly Foster. It was also really cold and rainy! A few minutes into the race my hands kinda went numb. I stopped dipping my hands in the water on each stroke and that helped. We had to wear life jackets too, but I was pretty happy -- it kept me warm!
East Coast races are cool, be sure to do one at least once!
Freezing after the race:

Look at my shoulders! Besides their hugeness, one side is different from the other; I suspect from intense childhood training. I think all children should be banned from paddling more than 2 days a week. No Moloka'i races allowed!

the best picture yet

I've circled myself! This was from Kona a long 5 years ago.

Now, I don't mean to compare myself or anyone else in our crew (2002) to the living legends of the sport, but check this out.
Foti Brothers, et al. Picture from www.fotibros.com

What do you think? Can you see the similarities?
Well I hope you like the new format. You too can post blog entries just like this (just login, click submit, then blog entry). Seriously.
I will write more about myself when I can.
Keizo Gates