Big Chop 2009 Race Scehdule

Big Chop organizers Ryan and Brian have announced the schedule for 2009.

This looks to be another record year for the Big Chop, as main series sponsor Mountain Equipment Coop is back for another year.

They are also looking for more sponsors to help out with this years series. So if you know of any companies or individuals who what to get on board, have them contact Ryan or Brian

RACE #1 - Thursday, April 30th
+ Opening night. 7km Big Chop & 3.5km Little Chop.
Course - West Side Loop

RACE #2 - Thursday, May 14th
+ 8km race & 4km Little Chop
Course - Back Side Loop

RACE #3 - Thursday, May 28th
+ 8km race & 4km Little Chop
Course - Surfer's Route

RACE #4 - Thursday, June 11th
+ 8km race & 4km Little Chop
Course - West Side Loop

RACE #5 - Thursday, June 25th
+ 9km race & 4km Little Chop
Course - Back Side Loop

RACE #6 - Thursday, July 9th
+ 8km race & 4km Little Chop
Course - Surfer's Route

RACE #7 - Thursday, July 23rd
+ 7km race & 3.5km Little Chop
Course- West Side Loop

RACE #8 - Thursday, August 6th
+ 9km race & 4km Little Chop
Course- Back Side Loop

RACE #9 - Thursday, August 20th
+ 8km race & 4km Little Chop
Course- Surfer's Route

RACE #10 - Thursday, September 3rd
+ Series Championship! 6.5km race & 3.5km "Little Chop"

Big Chop #10 – Last Thursday Night Race of the Season

Tonight was the last Thursday night race of the season. So it is actually sad that the surf ski race season is rapidly coming to an end. This race was going to be the first with the moved up foot board, it should be interesting.

I got there early because I know the last race is the most popular, and there was going to be a lot more racers trying to register. So I managed to get there about 2 hrs before race time. Casually got signed up. Brain must have known there was going to be more racers tonight, because he opened registration 20 minutes early.

As the racers started to show up, I saw people I had not seen in a long time coming out to race. I knew this was going to be a good race with lots of boats. So after stretching, it was off for a warm up paddle. I just paddled out past the maritime museum and then turned around and headed back to the start line.

People were already lining up at the start chopping at the bit for the start. The boats were lined up from the dock to the middle of the channel, and three to four boats deep. I parked myself in the second row right behind Marshall, and beside a OC1.

The start was a fast one, with what seemed everyone squeezing into the middle. I took off right behind Marshall, who was moving up quickly. I passed the OC1, and jumped up beside Marshall. I kept that position for the next couple of minutes, until we caught Matt and Olivia in the double XT. Then I took the left side and Marshall the right side.

As we got closer to the red marker, I had a flash back of the last race and getting squeezed going around the corner, so I started to move up to give me more room. Just as I thought it was four boats side by side going around the marker. Once around the marker, I hammered it to try and catch Brian and Trista in their Nelo K2. This was going to be my challenge for the rest of the race. I managed to get on their stern wake, but it was hard to stay there. I can't count how many times I caught them only to be dropped. I think they were messing with me.

As we passed the last turn going into False Creek, I had a sense that someone was coming up on my left, and sure enough the yellow nose of Katja's Think Legend caught my eye. Now I had to think how I wanted my last Big Chop race to go. So it wasn't long before I decided I was not going to give up, and started to power each stroke. moving my foot board closer really helped me put as much power down as I could.

I guess she figured out that it was going to be a race that she upped it as well. Then i saw some big rollers coming at me from a rather large boat coming out of the creek. I just thought to myself, keep the technique no matter what. If I go swimming, then I go swimming. It was all or nothing. I ripped over the waves, and just kept hammering. It so happened that as I was fighting off Katja, I didn't notice that I was rapidly catching Brian and Trista.

So now I cranked up the stroke rate. By the time we hit the finish line the nose of my EVO was right in the middle of their K2, and we managed to get the same time. It was a very good, hard race, and I was pleased with my effort.

Back On The Ocean - Big Chop #9

Tonight was the Big Chop #9, the next to last race of the season for the series. I wanted to go to this race because I haven't been on the ski for over a month and I missed it, and I needed to buy my “winning” ticket for the year end party.

Not being on a ski for so long, had me a little worried. I hoped I would remember how to paddle out on the ocean again. I started next to Shane, who has won so many of these races, I have lost count. So if I could stay with him for a little while, I know I would have a good start. Brian got to two on the count down to the start, and everyone was going. He actually blew the horn twice as a false start but no one stopped. It was pretty funny.

Shane was off to a blazing start as usual, and I managed to stay close to him, as we headed to the front of the pack, or should I say, he was headed to the front of the pack. I settle in next to Matt and his daughter Olivia in the Double XT. I was getting used to wash riding again, but kept coming very close to the double. Good thing I practise have a vertical catch. Even then, Matt and I hit blades more than a couple of times.

As we approached the first turn at the red buoy, I could see I as going to be squished between Matt and the marker. So I asked if he could please move over a little, which he promptly did. Coming around the marker I swear the side of my ski scraped the buoy. I stopped paddling and glided past the buoy and after passing I immediately turned to the left and gave Matt some room. Then it was off to catch Gary in his EVO, and the double outrigger he was wash riding.

I powered up and jumped the gap between myself and the double OC. From there I rode the left wash, and Gary the right wash to just about the next turn at the sand barge. Just before the turn the OC started to pull away from us, and I had to really pull hard just to stay on, but they were too much and a gap started to form. Coming around the sand barge I could see Mike and Denise in their new Huki double ski, having a little difficultly.

I think this was their second race or even their first race in it. From here to the next turn I was behind them and the double OC, which just kept making the gap bigger. As we approached the next turn I could see that Mike and Denise were going to make a tight turn, so I knew this was my chance to pass. I lined myself up for a wide turn, that way I could carry my speed through the corner. Sure enough they went too tight, and ended up slowing down and going real wide in the exit. I came in underneath them and exited close to the buoy, with go speed and managed to pass them.

From what I could hear, Denise was not happy about me passing them in the corner. So now going with the waves, its was time to concentrate on technique and to put the power down. Off a scooted toward False Creek and the next turn. During this time I was by myself, or so I thought. Coming up to the next turn someone had bumped the back of my boat. I though it was Gary who had caught up to me, and I said “hi Gary” but there was no answer. Hummm. Again I set myself up for the corner, and as I went around it was Caroline who came underneath and passed me.

I though good move Caroline. She must have saw me do the exact thing to the Billys in their Huki. Off she powered and had a little gap in no time. I powered up just to keep the gap from getting bigger. Caroline really has gotten a lot faster since a saw her a month ago. Well Done. In the distance I could see the front guys making the turn at the sand barge for the last time, but it looked a little strange, they all seemed to be taking a funny line around the bouy. As I got closer I noticed that Paki Nui took a really hard left, and then a hard right to go around the buoy.

Something was not right. When I close enough to see, there was a big rope, the one that ties up freighters floating in the water. I though there is no way I am going to try to go over that, and off to the left I went to avoid it. Caroline did like wise. As I cleared the rope and headed to the buoy, I saw in the corner of my eye, an OC1 heading straight for me. He was going for it. I hammered to get out of his way.

I don't know if he had actually made it over the rope, because I was off like a scared rabbit. After the race I found out that a few people tried to jump the rope and got caught, and had to swim to get untangled. Good practise remounting the ski.

The last leg, I was just trying to get my technique down and try to catch Caroline, who now had a good 25 meter gap between us. It was all I could do to bring the gap down to about 8 meters at the finish line.

It was a good hard race for me, I really enjoyed myself. As usual the food at the end of the race was great. Thanks very much to all the volunteers who help Ryan and Brian put on the race for us.

Big Chop #6 – Great Downwind Run, Missed Race

Today had the biggest winds in Vancouver for some time. I got an email from Jeff saying lets get there early and do some downwind runs. By the time I got to Vanier both Jeff and Chris had done two runs already. Jeff suggested that we load the skis on a couple of cars and drive to Jericho and do a long down wind run before the race. So we packed up the skis and off we went.

We figured by the time we got there, we would have just enough time to make the race. We got ready in record time and launched from the Ecomarine rental shack. The windsurfers were really ripping it up out there. I cannot believe how fast they were going. We headed out into the bay. We were suppose to go at a 45 degree angle so we wouldn't get in a bad position by the time we reach the entrance to False Creek. But it was having a little difficultly in maintaining that line so I just went with the waves.

It was not long before both Jeff and Chris were over 200 meters to the left of me. So I knew I was on my own, and just kept an eye on them throughout my run. Boy this was fun. You really did not have to do any kind of hard paddling. The waves would just pick you up, and launch you. I managed to get to a maximum speed of 18.4 kph.

As I was getting closer to Kits beach, the waves were starting to come from multiple directions. There were quite a few times where the boat would completely whipped around across the waves. A quick brace, and I would spin the boat back to going with the waves. There was a couple of times were i was stopped and a wave from behind would completely fill the cockpit.

Anyways. As I was rocketing down a big wave, it kicked me sideways, and in I went. I quickly remounted my EVO, but did not get going fast enough, or stick out my legs for balance, and I got chucked out on another big wave. An OC6 out on a training paddle saw this and started coming over to me. They asked if i needed help, and I said I wasn't sure. I tried a couple of times to get in, but it wasn't going my way. So instead of getting too tired and getting myself in a bad situation, I asked the OC6 for help.

They came on my up wind side and drifted back to me. Once they were along side, one of the paddlers took my paddle, and I managed to climb back onto my ski. I thanked them very much for the help, and off I went. During my second dumping, my leash had actually unhooked itself. This is something I will have to fix right away.

From here I evaluated the conditions around the point before the entrance to False Creek. I was not in a good position to go around, so I headed straight with the waves into Kits beach. It was a very fast paddle. As I was heading in, I saw a group of swimmers actually out for a training swim in these waves. There was a lifeguard as well out there trying to row a dingy. he looked like he was wishing he was somewhere else. As I was coming into the beach I unhooked my leash, and out stretched my legs to prevent me from flying into the sand and rocks.

I got the ski up onto the beach without any difficulty, but the wind was blowing so hard, it was trying to spin the boat right out of my hands. From here it was a 1000m portage to the start line of the Big Chop. As I was walking up the beach, Jeff came paddling out of False Creek looking for me. I saw him, put the boat down with my foot on it so it would not blow away, and signaled that I was ok. Then i walked to Vanier with my ski on my shoulder. Yes I did get a few curious looks as i walked along the running path.

When i got to the start line I saw Alan and then Jeff paddling past, so I knew the race had already started. So I went to the registration desk, and told Brian that I was back and ok. then I went down to the beach and launched my ski. I figured since I am here, I might as well go for a training paddle, and use the racers as pace setters.

The course headed into False Creek, with a turn at the Cambie street bridge. The big chop was suppose to do two laps of this course. When I got out into the mix of things, Ryan was just in front of me in his sea kayak. So I cranked it up, and rode the waves up to him. Even though we were in False Creek the waves were still a good size for the wind. I passed Ryan and was looking for the next boat to catch up to.

As I passed the Granville Island market, the OC6 that rescued me was heading the other way out of False Creek. I said hi and thanks again for helping me. Continuing towards the Cambie street bridge, Alan came paddling by going the other way as well. He had done the turn at the bridge and was heading back for his first loop of the course. Right behind him by about 120 meters was Jeff, I said hello as he passed and I continued on.

I looked up ahead and spotted Sean and Chris coming towards me, so I turned around so I could paddle with them back to Vanier. Chris asked how my downwind was, and he told me about Jeffs' and his. We were both in agreement that it was one great day on the skis.

Heading back, I was on Chris's right side and Sean on his left. We were chatting the whole way to the Burrard street bridge and then I said I was going in. (still tired from the swim) So I backed off behind Sean. Then I thought, one more power up, so I put the power on and passed Sean and caught up to Chris. Then I turned and went in.

As usual the after party / meeting was great with smokies, cookies, and chips. So today's paddle / race was a real eye opener as to getting back on the ski in big waves. Can't wait for the next big wave so I can practice hopping off and getting back on in a some what control environment.

Big Chop#4 – Good Start, Strong Race

This afternoon the skies were sunny with some clouds and warming up. this was a concern for me because I brought paddler gear for cold weather, after Tuesday night's race. As per usual with weather in Vancouver, by the time I got to Vanier Park, the weather had changed to cloudy and was looking like it was going to rain.

So on went the neoprene pants and booties. So all geared up, GPS on, and reset, and it was off for a warm up paddle. The water was basically flat, with the occasional wave from a passing boat. Went to past Heritage harbour, around the point, only to find yep more flat water. This race was going to be a grind. Good time to practice technique.

Paddled back to the start, got turned around, and lined up at the start line. I had Bob on my right, and Chris and Jeff over a couple of boats on my left. Soon as Ryan said go both Jeff and Chris hammered away. I took off after them,with Bob right behind me. I caught them and jumped on Chris's stern wake. Bob came right by me and positioned himself on Jeff's right side. I managed to stay there for a little while before a slide off the back. I kept the fourth position all the way to the red marker.

As my turning skills are not really up to snuff, both Sean on his V10 and the Billy's in their double dugout, passed me. by the time I got straightened out, they had a good gap forming. So for the rest of the rest of the race, I was playing catch up. So I worked on technique. This was good. I was able to put weight on each stroke, and start using more of my torso and legs to generate power.

There was a couple of times I managed to get on some waves and really get some speed going, but as I did it the group in front did it as well. Oh well. Hopefully I will improve with each race.

Big Chop #4 - Reminder

Just a quick reminder about Thursday's race.

Registration is at 6 pm, with racing at 7 pm.

Below is the race course.

Racing, Food, and the hottest prizes around. What more could you ask for.

Busy Week Ahead

This is going to be a really busy week, with two surf ski races and a regatta in Seattle on the weekend.

First up is tonight's core workout, and the way I am feeling right now, it is going to be tough.

Tuesday's race is Deep Cove #10, I am hoping everyone is bagged from the Round Bowen race on the weekend.

Wednesday is the World Masters Games road show, where i will be one of the guest speakers. I am really looking forward to it.

Thursday's race is Big Chop #4, which as always is a good race.

Friday is a travel day down to Seattle for the weekends sprint regatta. Also I will be checking out the Sammamish Slough for an adventure race I am doing on the 29th of this month. I need to check the parking, launch area, and the course before the race. I will probably go for a easy 10 kilometer paddle, along the course to see how it is.

Saturday and Sunday will have a lot of races packed into the two days.

By the time I finially get home on Sunday night, I think I will be completely bagged.

Big Chop #3 - Surprisingly Good Race

Surprisingly not the race it self, but my performance was the surprise. All day I was just bagged. Really, Really tired, to the point that I skipped my usual pre-race run, and was just going to have a little shut eye before the race.

The start just like Tuesday night had its own twist. The line which is normally at the first dock, was intentionally moved, (by the racers)ahead of the second dock. Everyone just kept creeping forward. What seemed to be a long time, Brian finally said go. I powered up pass the OC1 that was beside me, and was going after the big boys already making a gap in the front. Just then I heard a bunch of people yelling, and I looked to my left to see Calvin had huli'd and was getting back onto his OC1.

I turned my attention back to the group of skis and the lone sea kayak power by Brian in front of me. All the time going to the red marker, and then the sand barge, I was trying to catch up to Chris and Brian. I would gain on them, and then lost it.

It was very frustrating. After passing the sand barge, now the sail boats had to be taken into account. We were warned that there might be a sailboat race going on, and that the sail boats had the right away. I guess they remember the last race, or maybe had a couple of complaints.

Between the sand barge and the yacht club, It was the same thing, gain ground, and then lose it, but this time I had another issue to deal with. I could hear Sean, Gary and Marshall talking about keeping the pace and catching me. Since these guys have been kicking my butt lately, I did not want this to happen. It just made me dig in a harder. So it was head down, power up and really concentrate on technique to maximize every stroke.

As I came around the marker at the yacht club, I glanced over, and confirmed that it was Sean, Gary and Marshall in a double, and Calvin, who had caught up to them, and was now looking to catch me. The leg from the yacht club to the marker off the beach by Heritage Harbour was a downwind one, but it seemed to be against the current, or I was really getting tired. (it had to be a current)I could see Brain and Chris in front of me, so I tried again to catch them, and try to increase the gap between me and the guys behind me.

About half way down this leg three sail boats were starting to come over to where I was paddling. I thought oh great, now I have to dodge these guys as well as hold off the guys behind me. But these sails boats actually made some really good waves to ride, and my speed jumped up by 2 kph in a blink. This was great. During this time, I white nose of a OC1 came into view in the corner of my left eye. I said "Hi Calvin", I guess this shocked him a little. He said hi and started to pass. Well I was going to have none of that, and I immediately jumped on his wash.

This was good for me, because Calvin is a strong paddler, and he makes a good size wash to ride, so I was able to rest for a little bit. Not very long because Calvin was trying to shake me off. He kept looking over his left shoulder to see where I was. He would then pump up the pace, it was very hard, but I managed to stay with him. We came around the marker at Heritage Harbour, and Calvin shot ahead around the turn. I had to really pull hard for about 30 seconds to get back on his stern wake. He can really accelerate fast on his OC1.

We played this cat and mouse game all the way to the sand barge. Coming around the barge Calvin tried to take off yet again, but I was able to get back on his wake again. (My turning is not very good, so people usually can drop me at this point) I was really starting to get tired with all this catching up I had top do to stay with Calvin, and he slowly started to make a gap. He kept looking over his shoulder to see if I was there. So as we got closer to the finish, I decided to mess with him. because he was always looking over his left shoulder, I moved way over to the right, so he would not know how close I was. This had its problem as well. The finish dock is on that side. If we went for a sprint finish, he could easily close the door on me, and just head straight for the dock.

So once we got to within about 200 meters of the finish, I went back over to the left and clear water, and started to crank up the rate. Of course seeing this so did Calvin. I could not pass him, and he got me by about 7 seconds. It was a excellent race.

At the post race barbecue, I managed to win a very nice Stohlquist PFD. Thank Mel, Brian, and Ryan. I can't wait for the next race in two weeks.

Big Chop #3 Reminder

This Thursday is Big Chop #3.

Registration is at 6pm, with racing starting at 7pm.

Cost is $8.00, which includes Food and Drinks, as well as the now famous draw prizes.

The race it self will be approximately 8 kms, with a shorter "small chop" of 4 kms.

It will be a medium low tide at the time of the race. see picture below.



One of the new series sponsors is Accent Paddles. www.accentpaddles.com

They have come out with a new wing blade, that is one of the draw prizes every race.

They use a new type of angle lock on their paddles, called Twist Tight Technology.



I have my fingers crossed, that I will be "testing" one after this weeks race.

Big Chop #2 – Bouncy and Traffic

Tonight's race was going to be a bouncy one. The waves were coming from all over the place. Tides, current, and boat wash all mixed together. Which of course meant for a great race. These conditions are a lot of fun, and good balance practice.

The race was to go to the marker at Second beach, turn left and head to the sand barge. From there you back towards False Creek turning at the Red Marker, then going to the Green marker and then off to the sand barge one more time, before heading in to the finish.

The start was ok, but there was a big booze ship coming into the creek. Check out the picture from www.katkam.ca.



You can see everyone at the start line with the ship coming into False Creek.
We were going to wait until it pasted, or so I thought. Then all of a sudden Brian started the race. Both Jeff and myself went to the right of the ship and everyone else shot to the right. As we were going by, the yahoos on the ship starting throwing things. Who knows what they were throwing, I could just here them hitting the water, and the guys cheering.

As the boat passed I could see that Shane was charging at the front as usual. Jeff then shot over to the right, and I followed suit. I slid in behind Bob in his beautiful V10 Elite, and rode his wash for a while. As we got out of the creek, the waves starting coming from everywhere, and I started to drop off.

This is where I was not thinking and made a huge tactical error. I decided not to wash ride. I think I left my brains back on the beach on this one, and I paid dearly. Slowly but surely everyone at the front was moving away. I did mange to keep people from passing but I was not staying with the people in front. Gray and Lina were right in front of me, and just kept pulling away. That was the extent of my race. The next 5.5 kilometers were just a grind. Mind you it still was a fun race, with all the waves. As we made the turn at the Second Beach marker, and started heading to the sand barge, I tried to catch up by changing my angle to the waves coming from the right. This worked and I could tell that I was gaining on the double, but it would only last for 50 to 60 meters and I would lose the line.

It would take me another 50 or 60 meters to find it again, and then lose it after another 60 meters or so. In this time the sail boats, who were in a race of their own at the time, were crossing our paths. Which made for some interesting maneuvers to avoid a collision. After the turn around the sand barge it was a down wind run all the way to the Red marker. Around the Red marker, and off to the Green one. Once past that marker, it was a up wind paddle back to the sand barge. Again I was not making up any ground at this point, just holding my position.

Once around the sand barge for the last time, it was another down wind sprint. I could get the ski going pretty good in the waves, but it would only last for about 3 to 4 waves, and then I would basically slow right down into the back of the next wave, and have to start over. At this point I knew there was no way I was going to catch anyone, and since I was getting tired, I just decided to practice catching waves and riding them. This was going good until I saw a sailboat bearing down on the double in front of me. It was going to be close, and Gary and Lina must have saw it and hammered to get in front of it. It turned right behind them.

Then I noticed that I was not alone and there was another sail boat about to do the same to me. I looked at the helmsman, and he looked at me, and sort of gestured, its your move small fry. I figured I could make I, so I hammered it. I just made it in front of the sail boat before it turned. What a rush.

From there it was a straight shot to the finish line. After crossing the finish line, I kept going into False Creek for a cool down paddle. I started to draft a war canoe full of what seemed to be a lot of shall we say over indulged females. I had numerous offers as I paddled by. Every race should be like that. lol.

Next up, was the famous smokies and drinks at the race center. A big hand goes to all the volunteers who with out them there would not be a race. Thank you.

Again this week I was one number away from a huge prize. A brand new carbon wing blade.Hopefully at the next race in two weeks, I will be one number over.

For the race results go to: http://www.bigchop.ca/results/2008_bigchopresults_race2.pdf

Big Chop #2

Don't forget Big Chop #2 is tomorrow (Thursday)

Registration is at 6 pm
Racing starts at 7 pm

This is a great race series, and lots of fun, and racing.

check out: www.bigchop.ca for more information.



Here is shot of the first race on May 1st, 2208. See that orange boat on the far right, and top of the picture. That's me starting dead last.

Big Chop #1 - Bad Start, Good Race

Another start to the Big Chop Race series. It is always good to see people that you haven't seen since last year. A lot of the racers don't race Tuesday nights and vice a versa. Too bad because both nights are very good racing.

After registering for this years racing I went to set up my ski with my new number and get ready to go do a warm up paddle. After four races in Deep Cove the ski is pretty much set up the way I like it, just a little adjustment in the rudder position is all it took.

Off to the water to check the course. I paddling out past the first point to get a look at the first turn flag, and to see how close it was to the shore. As I came up to it, I noticed that it was, humm, shall we say, a little closer to shore than I would like to see. This means a fast start was going to be the order of the day, so I don't get caught in the funnel of boat traffic trying to get around the marker.

I saw that everyone who went out before me, was coming back, so I checked my watch, and it was time to head back to the start line. As I approached the dock, Ryan was standing on the end, telling every what tonight's course would be. It would be around the point to the first turn marker, a 90 degree right hand turn, straight over to the Red buoy, left hand turn, straight to Kits Beach and the marker there, right hand turn, then around the sand barge, and then back to the red buoy. For the Little Chop that would be it. Straight to the finish line from the red buoy, but for the Big Chop, we had to do another lap of the course before heading in.

Now it was time to turn around and get ready for the start, this is where things started to go wrong. I was chatting with Sean, about starts and lining up and not paying attention to my own lining up. I wanted to get beside Graham and Jonathan so I could ride their wash, but there was two boats between me and them. By the time I could back up and start heading over there, Ryan was starting the race. So I had to stop there, about 5 meters back, and get set. Then, just as Ryan says “racers ready” , I leaned forward to turn on my GPS, I noticed that I had not reset it from the run earlier. OH NO. So I go for the reset button, and I hear “GO”. As I am waiting for the GPS to reset, everyone is taking off. The GPS reads resetting in Three, Two, One. Let me tell you, that was the longest three seconds in my life. Once my GPS was reset, I pushed start , and looked up to see that I was in dead last.

Time to get moving, so I hammered to catch up. I managed to find a clear lane right up the middle, so that is where I went. The group made good wave to ride up on. It wasn't long before I was in the middle of the pack. With the first turn coming fast, I saw that I was in between two sets of outriggers. Two to the left of me and two to the right. I knew there was not enough room for all five of us to go around the turn together, and since I was in a ski, I figured out pretty quickly that I would be the loser in this battle.

So A really cranked up the pace to get in front of the group. I made it to the turn first, and headed off to the red buoy. As I was rounding the buoy, I could see that Jeff and Shame had already made a good gap between them and the next group. There was still a lot of boats between me and them, not like I am going to catch them, but that won't stop me from trying. From here I just started to pick one boat at a time. I would look for their side wake, catch it, and move up, and use the momentum to jump to the next wake. This was working well, as I started to catch up to the third group.

By now we had reached the turn at Kits Beach, and I was right on Sean's tail. He in turn was trying to ride the wake of Mel and Leonora in their OC2, and Marshall and Gary in their double kayak. So here we were, Mel / Leonora in front, me on their right side wake, Sean on their left side wake, and Gary / Marshall on Sean's left side wake. We maintained this position for a little while, and then Sean started to slip back. As we approuched the turn at the sand barge, we noticed that the barge was attached to a tug and moving. One of the course boats was there, and we used that as a turn marker instead of the barge.

Now it was a straight shot back to the red buoy and the end of the first lap for the people doing the big chop. During this leg, I was content in sitting on Mel and Leonore's wash, and rest up a bit. I could hear someone behind me having trouble staying on the wash, because they were saying to stay with it. Somewhere about half way to the red buoy I decided to move up, and do my share of the pulling. So I pulled out to the left and started to move up. That's when Mel said ”that's it Darrell time for you to do some work ”well in my enthusiasm to get to the front, I had cranked it to about 12.5 on the GPS, shot by Mel and Leonore, and got a big jump on them. I was having fun, and by the time I had figured out that I had gone so far past them, I just decided to keep going.

I mean, I felt good, no cramps or stitches, and wasn't too tired, so it was time to push myself, and try to bridge the gap to the second group. Which was going to be a huge undertaking because they were at least 400 to 500 meters in front of me. So the entire next lap, that is what I did. Stuck in no man's land, trying to keep the boat past the 11 kph mark. Every time I looked up during this last lap, I could see that I was getting closer to them, (my head was down and grinding as hard as I could) but I knew I was going to run out of time and race course before I caught them.

As I was coming into the finial stretch of the course, I had caught a couple of guys in a canoe, who were doing the Little Chop, and they asked if I wanted to race. I thought sure why not. So the race was on. They started to increase their stroke rate, and I stayed with them. As we were getting closer to the finish, I decided to have some fun, and told them that its was time to start racing. They thought I was kidding because I think they were going all out as it was. So I just cranked it as hard as I could, and managed to just squeak past 13 kph, just before I died going over the finish line.

After the race, we all headed up to the race tent and the barbecue for smokies, chips, fruit, and drinks. Brain and Ryan sure know how to put on a race. Ryan announced all the race winners for the night, and thanked everyone for coming. Then they gave away a large amount of draw prizes. I just missed winning some Ryder glasses by one number.

I can't wait for the next race in two weeks (May 15th) It is suppose to be longer than tonight's. If you would like to know how the racing was at the front, just go to SurfskiBC's blog,and read Jeff's write up.

(http://surfskibc.wordpress.com/author/surfskibc/)

Big Chop Race Series One Week To Go

The second annual Big Chop race series starts May 1st one week from today.

www.bigchop.ca


The series is put on by Ryan Pogue and Bryan Tasaka, and is a favorite on mine. The races go from May 1st and run every second Thursday until the Chanpionship race on September 4th.

Each race varies in length, and may have some running envolved on certain nights. There is also a short course called the little chop as well.

This year brings a few big sponsors. CityTV and Crave FM have joined in, as well as Think Kayaks.

Together with Mountain Equipment Co-op, Momar, Vancouver Ocean Sports, Lasso, Stolhquist, Old Town, Seaward, and Helly Hansen this should be a great year.

Cost for each each is set at $8.00, with the option of buying a season's pass.

Registration opens at 6pm and racing starts at 7pm.

After the race, there is the famous BBQ, which is a highlight in its own.

Each race will have draw prizes as well, which include:

• MEC prize packages
  
• Helly Hansen Lifa Cool Tops
  
• Lasso Security Cables
  
• Accent Wing Blade Paddle
  
• Ryders Sunglasses
  
• Stolhquist PFD's
  
• H2O Audio Cases
  
• Edge Energy package
  
• Carb-Boom Gel package
  
• Pelican Cases
  
• Watershed Dry Bags
  
• Pogue Sports package
  
• Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race entries
  
• just to name a few.
  

I know I am starting to sound like a commercial, but this series is very good.