outrigger
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Registered: 11-19-2014
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A New Kind of Baja Racing
Long time lurker, first time post.
While my most recent curiosity surrounds that stretch from Punta Eugena to La Bocana… I’ve been hatching a more ambitious mission and wanted to bounce
the idea off the local community here.
Outrigger Canoe Race.
Big one.
Idea came up amongst the local team I paddle for (San Diego Outrigger) when a slot recently opened to host a race for the Southern California
Outrigger Racing Association’s (aka SCORA: www.socaloutrigger.org). It’s a sport on the rise, with thousands of paddlers competing for 25 or so outrigger teams here in Southern California.
The advent of a new Light-Weight class of canoe has changed the game and SCORA is leading the way in adding this division for elite paddling.
So..why Baja?
Well, these new lightweight canoes--- they are designed specifically to surf open ocean swell extremely well. Particularly in wind-driven seas.
Check out this clip of a top team smoking a Hawaiian race course to see what I’m talking about :
http://vimeo.com/75384938
Now, as far as I can tell, Baja has potential to offer up the best downwind run on the entire North Pacific coastline..so why not race it, right!?!
I am not sure where to start-- but I do know we could get *a* race on the schedule for sure. What my team would like to explore the process of
hosting it off Baja. There is an approval process in our racing association, but I’ve confirmed the appetite is certainly there if we can sort
logistics.
In SoCal, an event like this might attract as many as 1000 paddlers from a couple dozen different teams. We’d need lots of tourist visas & car
insurance, location(s) food/beer et al -- but would create a splash garnering a fair bit of visibility.
To that end, I wanted to reach out here for advice? Is it worth seeking a sponsorship with someone like BajaBound or Tecate beer or some other kind
of pro-tourism outfit? Is that harbor in La Salina still in operation? That spot looks like a perfect launching point for a downwind race to
Ensenada.
Any words of wisdom would be much appreciated.
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monoloco
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Location: Pescadero BCS
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Cool vid! Do they ever pearl?
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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Ateo
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Welcome aboard. Great screen name...........can't believe that wasn't already taken.
Sounds like a great idea!
How many miles would be an ideal race?
Rosarito to Ensenada?
I live in Oceanside and we have an outrigger club at the Harbor, but I don't think they're as hardcore as that video you posted.
[Edited on 11-20-2014 by Ateo]
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Terry28
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Registered: 8-25-2007
Location: S.Calif mtns.
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Mood: Thirsty
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Welcome to the forum...And that is a great idea, and yes,La Salina is still there and open...La Salina to Ensenada would not take too long I believe
and would be fun to watch/or join in on....(if ya have a team for seniors!) Keep us posted please and good luck
Mexico!! Where two can live as cheaply as one.....but it costs twice as much.....
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Ateo
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La Salina appears to be doable (by small boats) at high tide. You guys could probably make it out during any tide depending on your draft. I have a
recent photo of La Salina somewhere and it looked risky for large craft. Good luck and keep us posted. This sounds pretty cool. Contact Geoff at
Bajabound to talk sponsorships. He's a Nomad.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
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Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Ensenada
End point could be the Hotel Coral in Ensenada. Great hotel, food and a yacht harbor. Believe the San Diego to Ensenada sail run ends at the Coral.
I can probably set you up with some contacts in town (Ensenada) if you are interested.
Get Geoff from Bajabound on board!!
[Edited on 11-20-2014 by bajaguy]
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Ateo
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Great idea for an end point bajaguy. I was thinking Estero Beach or something, then with an after party over at your place. 
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Maybe I should start making more beer!!
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outrigger
Newbie
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Ateo
Welcome aboard. Great screen name...........can't believe that wasn't already taken.
Sounds like a great idea!
How many miles would be an ideal race?
Rosarito to Ensenada?
I live in Oceanside and we have an outrigger club at the Harbor, but I don't think they're as hardcore as that video you posted.
[Edited on 11-20-2014 by Ateo] |
Thanks!
Ideally we'd race something in the 25-40mi range. Could go with either a 9 or 12 person format where an escort boat (panga) runs with each canoe
& rotates in relief paddlers.
And yeah Oceanside outrigger is hardcore, just added one of those same lightweight canoes to their quiver. It's all about the water conditions
though, want 20knot tailwinds run like those guys in the video.
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outrigger
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Registered: 11-19-2014
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| Quote: | Originally posted by monoloco
Cool vid! Do they ever pearl? |
No, not out in open water just run into the one in front and slow down-- better yet thread between & connect the windswell.
Proper surf break different story, can pearl for sure. Google Makaha outrigger surf to see the carnage..
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