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Downwind Rookie (Part 2 of 4) |
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By: Mike Marsoun
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Thursday, 13 March 2008 |
(Mike Marsoun is an author and avid
stand up paddler who participates in the Molokai Challenge between
Molokai and Oahu. Mike's four part series "Downwind Rookie" takes us
into the world of downwind stand up paddling.)
Fast forward a few weeks and I was back on Maui with my family for a little mini vacation, and to break in my new 16 foot Angulo. Stopped by the shop and Mark was finalizing the steering , Ed was fabricating the fins. NOW we’re talking.
 Mike Marsoun on the water.
I noticed Dave Kalama getting ready to go out when we were paddling out and was eager to see his line and learn everything I could. Unfortunately, he passed by so fast that all my note taking had to be in short hand. The one thing I was able to make note of was that he seemed to be exerting a very low level of energy. This freaked me out and made me realize that I really had to get in some practice and learn the bumps.
Prior to this I thought you actually were looking to ride on the front of the whitecaps, later to find out that almost the complete opposite was true. I found it’s not necessarily the big bumps that move you along, rather the small bumps which you can’t easily see, but feel, and not until they are on you. So, a light board, fast off the line, is essential.
 Molokai Challenge: Molokai/Oahu escorts and racers
That week proved to be huge as far as learning went. My last run I did Maliko to the Kahului Canoe Hale in 1:13 which was huge for me. John came in about 10 or so minutes before me and said it was a record for him. This was about 20 minutes better than my last run so I was stoked, problem was that I wasn’t quite sure how I did it.
The next day the wind was off the charts. I rested up and let Dave Valdes, my Molokai race partner, take out the board out for his first and ONLY practice run. I dropped him off at Maliko and went to Kanaha for a BBQ with my family and some old friends (we lived on Maui before the Big Island), and to wait for Dave to come in.
Sunday July 24, Maui Paddleboard/ Hennessey race day. I got down to Maliko a little late and was scrambling to get it together. It was a cool vibe and everyone was amped. The Maui race is awesome as it is so short you can really go all out without any concern for running out of gas. The wind was not as it had been that week, off and on gusty, but fair conditions overall. The paddleboarders went out first and had their start. Then we all paddled out. It was great to see all the SUPers and the growing enthusiasm for the sport. It took a while to get everyone lined up. I stayed second tier, behind some of the more experienced guys to follow their line. This turned out to be a huge mistake as I had a very difficult time getting around all the traffic and it slowed me down quite a bit. Never again! As the race continued I was getting some great glides, being extra careful not to fall because I forgot a leash. At the halfway mark, about even with Baldwin Beach, I noticed a whole bunch of people in front of me but could see only a handful behind me. This concerned me greatly and I was preparing for a humiliating finish. I stayed with this guy with long blond hair, and we exchanged lead for many miles, taking turns as the bumps would allow. This “guy” turned out to be Andrea Moller who won the women’s division. I tell you, this chick can surf!
The wind was turning on and off and the bumps were coming and going respectively. I was at a loss for what to do to improve my situation. I prayed thinking there is only one guy I know that controls wind and waves, and caught some great bumps as I pointed in to the edge of the Kahului Harbor jetty. This pulled me ahead of the pack I was traveling with, then rounding the corner to the beach it was a “gun-show” to the finish
END PART 2 OF 4
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