Race for your life!

Announcing a joint effort between Paddling Dynamics and Ruby Creek Boathouse – a 4-race series around Puget Sound, PLUS a championship weekend event at Magnuson Park in Seattle.

Points for top finishers will be awarded at:

The DP Dash, December 4^th

The New Years Challenge on Lake Washington, January 8^th

Paddle the Dragon, May

deFuca Downwind, June

Championship Weekend, July

The final weekend will be two awesome days of sprints, distance, multiple boat classes and massive festivities culminating in grand champion awards for the top male and female paddlers.

For a shot at the overall title, you better get out to all five events. More details on exact dates, racer classes and scoring system coming soon.

Outrigger paddlers Ernie Wong and Troy Nishikawa are Paddling Dynamics, and this idea was brewed in their creative minds along with a push from their mate Brady Guinn.

Warmup victory... with a stick!

Congrats to Wayne Horodowich, winner of the 6-mile race at Kayak Academy’s Greenland Week festivities on Lake Sammamish, November 6^th. Here he smiles for the camera with his stick paddle and blue ribbon… and he’s thinking how much faster he’ll go at the Dash with that awesome wing paddle.

Go Wayne! See you next month!

Top secret pirate map returns!

It’s back, unchanged but still as useful as always, salvaged from the depths of someone’s old stinky gear bag… the old, yellow, wrinkled pirate map that’ll prep you for the joys of your race.

Let’s dip our paddles and check out what’s happening as we sit in our boats with hearts pounding, waiting to do battle with a couple hundred of our best paddling buddies at the starting line on the right of the page.

The starting line goes from the end of the pier to a buoy we’ll designate in the Bay. Please don’t aggravate the starter by crossing early. We’ll sound five blasts of the air horn with five minutes til the start; three blasts with one minute til the start, and one LONG, UNMISTAKABLE blast to send you flailing on your way.

It’s a mile from the start to Deception Island. If there’s a south wind, you’ll feel it as you pass Reservation Head on your left and head into open water. The ebb noted on the pirate map, running from left to right, won’t be a factor on this leg, but may be on your return.

Deception Island is surrounded by kelp, as are the other two islands on the course. In flat water you can see it as you come up on it; when it’s rough that’s a little harder to do. It can really slow you down when it hits your rudder, so stay wide if you want to avoid it.

There are some rocks on the south side of Deception Island. At this tide level they should not be an issue but they’re also home to the thickest kelp bed on the course so if you can, stay between the rocks and the island like the nifty yellow line here (note that north is UP in this pic, and WEST is up on the pirate map):

From the Island to the big crux move in Deception Pass, where races are won and lost and big strong dudes are reduced to tears watching Sherri Cassuto cruise past, it’s a mile and a half of wide-open water paddling.

When you reach the Pass, you’ll go under the big bridge over the main pass – to the right (south) of Pass Island. Experienced Pass paddlers have their favorite ways of approaching the crux, but here’s the key info: the longer it takes you to get to this point, the stronger the current will be against you and the fewer choices you’ll have. If the ebb is against you already, tuck in behind Pass Island and sneak along the wall in the kelp-filled eddy that gets narrower as you go under the bridge and approach the east end of the island. Hit the power here, this is the crux… do not rest, do not slow down, do not think, just power, power, power through the eddy wall and into the open water of the Pass. Once you’re beyond the end of the island, the current will ease a bit but you’ll still need to crank it the rest of the way – half a mile – to Strawberry Island, the halfway point of the race.

Stay wide again if you want to avoid the kelp, as Strawberry has it too.

It’s a half mile back to Canoe Pass, and now you’re going with the current… so the hard work is over and the fun’s about to start… right? Well, yes, in certain conditions. You may find that friendly 3-4 knot current sending you on a thrill ride into some amazing standing waves at the pinch point in the narrowest part of the Pass, only to spit you into that mile-and-a-half return to Deception Island in a world that looks a lot more confusing than it did 20 minutes ago. OR you might be in swift, glassy water without a ripple except those boiling slicks that keep pushing your bow left and right. OR you might be so busy trying to shake that punkass who’s been drafting you since the start, that you don’t care about the conditions. In any case, slog it back to Deception Island.

If you’re baked, and you want to skip the slog, take “Escape Bay” on your pirate map, or “Lottie Bay” on modern charts. It’s just a short portage from there to the parking lot.

Back to the slog, for that open water crossing to the island, remember the “Ebb” arrow on the pirate map. Heading for the left side of the island, the current will move you a little to the right; even more so in a stiff south wind. And by this point you’re pretty tired, so use your head more than your brawn right here. Point your bow a little more to the left and crab across the channel.

Rounding the island for the last mile back to the dock, it’s even more important to follow this “crabbing” advice. If you end up entering the bay too far to the north, your hull will find some rocks it really isn’t going to like. STAY RIGHT!

The finish line is at the tip of the pier, as close as you can get so the timers can read your boat number. If you’ve lost the number, be ready to holler it out so the officials can hear.

After you’re done, STAY OUT OF THE FINISH AREA. We don’t want to count you twice.

Hit the beach, get out of your boat, and come on back to grab a meal. Nice job!

Directions to the Dash

Getting to the Dash is simple.

From the I-5 Corridor, give yourself an hour and a half minimum from North Seattle, an hour from Bellingham.

• Take I-5 to exit 230 (Burlington/Hwy 20).

• Go 11.5 miles West

• Follow the signs to turn left (South) and continue on Hwy 20 toward Oak Harbor. DO NOT continue West to Anacortes.

• From this junction, follow Hwy 20 another 5.5 miles. You’ll see Pass Lake on your right.

• At the end of the Lake, turn right on Rosario Road and IMMEDIATELY left into the Park on Bowman Bay Road. DO NOT CROSS the Deception Pass Bridge to the main park entrance.

• The race venue start/finish line is at the Bowman Bay Boat Launch, at the bottom of the hill on Bowman Bay Road. Please follow the signs to unload area as we may ask you to park elsewhere after you unload.

If you're coming from Port Townsend on the ferry, give yourself 45 minutes from Keystone.

• Turn left from the ferry dock and follow the road to Coupeville.

• At the stop light in Coupeville, turn left onto Hwy 20 northbound.

• Follow Hwy 20 through Oak Harbor and continue North to the Deception Pass bridge.

• DO NOT turn left into the main park entrance just before the bridge.

• About a half mile AFTER the bridge, turn left on Rosario Road and IMMEDIATELY left AGAIN into the Park on Bowman Bay Road.

• The race venue start/finish line is at the Bowman Bay Boat Launch, at the bottom of the hill on Bowman Bay Road. Please follow the signs to unload area as we may ask you to park elsewhere after you unload.

Here's a link to a closeup of the roads leading to Bowman Bay.

Please contact Race Director Bill Walker in advance of race day if you have any questions. Cell coverage really sucks at Bowman Bay.

Bill Walker

206-940-6269

rubycreekboathouse@gmail.com

RACE DIRECTOR,

5th Annual Deception Pass Dash

5th Annual Dash set for December 4th at 1pm

Dashers will be glad to hear that it's confirmed, Outdoor Adventure Center is once again hosting the Deception Pass Dash at Bowman Bay on Saturday, December 4th. This year's Slack Before Ebb is predicted at 1:25pm...

...so we're scheduling the start for 1pm. This gives you 25 minutes to make about 2.5 nautical miles from the starting line to the crux move at the top of Pass Island. The rest is cake. Right? We'll see.

Based on your feedback from the 2009 race, we may move the start time based on conditions. In challenging weather we may make it earlier, or in flat conditions we may even move it back a little. In any case please be at the High Noon Mandatory Racer Meeting.

Sign up for the 2010 Deception Pass Dash right here:
http://www.outdooradventurecenter.com/40227/Deception-Pass-Dash.html

... and we'll see you out there!
Stay tuned right here for updates. Please contact Bill Walker, Race Director, with any questions or comments. deceptionpassdash@gmail.com or 206-940-6269.

de Fuca Downwind June 12

On June 12, 2010, the inaugural de Fuca Downwind race takes off from Freshwater Bay and heads, downwind of course, 13.5 miles to Hollywood Beach in Port Angeles. All the info is on the Olympic Raft & Kayak web site, and be sure to connect with us on Facebook!

Gabe Newton came up with the idea for the race after researching the weather trends for the area and finding that prevailing downwind conditions are most reliable in June.

Many thanks to Dick and Jason at Discovery Sea Kayaks of Friday Harbor, major sponsors of the Downwind and 2-time awardees as one of National Geographic Adventure's best outfitters in the world...
...and to the Red Lion Inn on the finish line at Hollywood Beach, official hotel of the Downwind.

Winter Paddlesports Races

Info on Winter races below forwarded by Shane Baker. Thanks Shane!

Also don't forget the Sound Rowers races (http://www.soundrowers.org/) starting with LaConner on Feb 6 and Lake Sammamish on March 13. Lots of fun opportunities for racers this year.

Mark your calendar -- Here is an updated 2010 Winter Series Race Schedule.

In addition to this list below, there is an Annual Fox Island paddle around Fox Island at 10am on January 1st. At the Fox Island Bridge. contact Shane Baker at Kiwibaker@aol.com if interested for more details.

Happy New Year!


2010 New Year's Challenge - This Weekend!
OC-1/2/6, Surfskis, Kayaks, SUP'S and non-motorized watercrafts
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Race Starts at 11:00am
6.5 mile downwinder from Gasworks Park to Magnuson Park or vice-versa depending on winds

More details and info to come or see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=185806376055&mid=17f9351G222b4f4aG3529d9bG7
Hosted by the Sail Sand Point Outrigger Canoe Club

Ruston Way Solo/Relay
Tacoma, Washington
March 20th, 2010
On Tacoma's Commencement Bay
Jack Hyde Park
Open to all OC's, Surfski's, Kayaks, SUP's and non-motorized watercrafts
10.5 miles Solo or Partners of 2 - 8 paddlers 2.6 miles per lap(4 total laps)
Registration at 9am
Race Starts at 11am
(special fundraiser for our 2010 World Sprint Paddler headed to New Caledonia)
Hosted by PNW-ORCA

2010 PNW-ORCA WINTER SERIES RACE SCHEDULE

January 16th - B.C. Canada - Jericho OCC - 11am

January 30th - Lake Union, Wa. - Hui Wa'a O Wakinikona - 11am

February 13th - Portland, Oregon - Mountain Home CC - 11am

February 27th - Silverdale, Washington - Hui Heihei Wa'a - 11am

March 13th - Portland, Oregon - Kai Ikaika CC - 11am

March 27th - B.C. Canada - False Creek CC - 11am

April 10th - Sand Point, Washington - Sail Sand Point OCC - 11am

Check www.pnworca.org for more details on race series and points

Please pass on to your paddlers

Mahalo and Happy Holidays!

Final results

Thanks for your comments and edits to the two preliminary passes at the results. We cleared up a couple things regarding times and boat classes, so it looks like the list below is a final-final. Sorry about the formatting with all the commas… if you’d like a spreadsheet please email deceptionpassdash@gmail.com and we’ll send one along.

Mark your calendar for the 5^th annual Dash, Saturday December 4^th 2010, 1pm start. See you out there!

place, place-div, First Name, Last name, Home Town, Boat model, Div., time

1, 1, Greg, Barton, Seattle WA, Epic V12, HPK-M, 46:24

2, 1, Tyler, Peterson, Burien WA, Maas 24, OWIII-M, 47:33

3, 2, Erik , Borgnes, Sturgeon Bay WI, Epic v12, HPK-M, 48:35

4, 1, Larry Goolsby & Shaun Sullivan, Ferndale WA, Fenn Mako XT, 2HPK-M, 48:58

5, 3, David , Jacobson, Bellingham WA, Fenn Elite, HPK-M, 50:33

6, 4, Gabriel, Newton, Seattle WA, Epic V10 L, HPK-M, 50:35

7, 5, Chris , Dobrovolny, Vancouver BC Canada, think Evo, HPK-M, 51:19

8, 6, Jeffrey , Hegedus, Bellingham WA, Epic V10, HPK-M, 51:23

9, 1, Brian Boatman, Eric Gerstl, Bellingham WA, Tiger 2, 2OC-M, 52:09

10, 7, Matt, Kelly, Vancouver BC Canada, think Uno, HPK-M, 52:26

11, 2, Sean Gibson & Gary Cassulis, North Vancouver CA, Fenn Mako XT, 2HPK-M, 53:33

12, 8, Bob , Putnam, Vancouver BC Canada, Epic V10 Super Elite, HPK-M, 53:43

13, 2, Lance Kahn & Geoff Briggs, Bremerton WA, Huki OC2, 2OC-M, 54:00

14, 9, Reivers, Dustin, Bellingham WA, Huki S1X, HPK-M, 54:29

15, 10, Roger, Lamb, Bellingham WA, Huki S1X, HPK-M, 54:35

16, 1, Shane Baker & Traci Cole, Port Orchard WA & Kenmore WA, Ruahine Adv. Duet, 2SK-mx, 54:38

17, 1, Michael Gregory & Scarlett Johansson, Bellingham WA, Fenn Mako XT, 2HPK-mx, 54:40

18, 1, Aaron Rinn, Glenn Rogers, Ryan Van Gorder, Seattle WA, NWK Seascape 3, 3SK-M, 55:47

19, 2, Howard, Lee, Seattle WA, Maas 24, OWIII-M, 56:16

20, 11, David , Couvrette, Seattle WA, Epic V10, HPK-M, 57:27

21, 1, Andy Bridge & Greg Dutton, Sultan WA, Seaward Passat, 2SK-M, 57:46

22, 12, Steven, Jones, Seattle WA, Epic V10, HPK-M, 58:20

23, 13, Rick , Lingbloom, Bellingham WA, Huki S1X, HPK-M, 58:26

24, 2, Trista Bilmer & Brian Page, Vancouver BC Canada, Nelo Waterman tandem, 2SK-mx, 58:29

25, 14, Paul , Clement, Bellingham WA, Huki S1X, HPK-M, 58:35

26, 1, Brady, Guinn, Seattle WA, Hurricane , OC1-M, 58:39

27, 15, John , Flynn, Seattle WA, think Evo, HPK-M, 59:00

28, 16, Greg , Bawden, Duvall WA, Huki S1-R, HPK-M, 59:01

29, 17, Charles , Curry, Bainbridge Island WA, Epic 18X, HPK-M, 59:13

30, 1, Karl, Andersson, Portland OR, Necky Looksha II, FSK-M, 59:24

31, 2, Wayne, Horodowich, Mill Creek WA, Home made Skin Boat, FSK-M, 59:54

32, 2, Michael , Hammer, Mt Vernon WA, , OC1-M, 60:41

33, 18, Brent, Couvrette, Seattle WA, Epic V10, HPK-M, 61:07

34, 3, Jim, Zimmerman, Anacortes WA, Necky Looksha III, FSK-M, 61:10

35, 4, Leon, Somme, Eastsound WA, Kirton Inuk, FSK-M, 61:26

36, 1, Brandon, Nelson, Bellingham WA, Sterling Grand Illusion, SK-M, 61:27

37, 3, Ken, Kroeger, Seattle WA, Kamanu Pueo, OC1-M, 61:53

38, 19, Andrew , Losli, Forest Grove OR, Futura II, HPK-M, 62:14

39, 20, Joe, Kaftan, Seattle WA, Epic 18x, HPK-M, 62:19

40, 21, Michael , Cline, Seattle WA, Nelo Moskito FW2000, HPK-M, 62:23

41, 22, Pete , Wylie, Lanikai HI, Epic 18x Sport, FSK-M, 62:25

42, 23, Andrew , Elizaga, Tacoma WA, Epic 18X, HPK-M, 62:47

43, 1, Sherri, Cassuto, Seattle Wa, Eddyline Raven, SK-W, 62:59

44, 2, John, Thoreson, Seattle WA, Xplore S, SK-M, 63:26

45, 2, Chris Smith & David Price, Auburn WA & Woodinville WA, NDK Triton, 2SK-M, 63:31

46, 5, Warren, Williamson, Stanwood WA, Superior Hawk, FSK-M, 63:53

47, 2, Shawna , Franklin, Eastsound WA, NDK Greenlander Pro, SK-W, 63:57

48, 24, Michael, Dee, , , HPK-M, 64:15

49, 6, Kevin, Bowman, Bellingham WA, QCC 700x, FSK-M, 64:44

50, 4, Clement, Corbiell, Lakewood WA, Kiamana, OC1-M, 65:05

51, 3, Doug, Peele, Gig Harbor WA , Nigel Foster Legend, SK-M, 65:21

52, 4, Drew, Dixon, Langley, WA, Nadgee Expedition, SK-M, 65:30

53, 5, George, Gronseth, Issaquah WA, Tiderace Xplore, SK-M, 65:34

54, 5, Ernest, Wong, Seattle WA, Kamanu Pueo, OC1-M, 65:58

55, 6, Tracy, Clapp, Duvall WA, Impex Currituck, SK-M, 66:12

56, 7, Jesse, Varsi, Anacortes WA, Eddyline Falcon S18, FSK-M, 66:42

57, 1, Sonya, Bailey, Sedro Woolley WA, Foster Rowe Silhouette, FSK-W, 66:44

58, 24, Matthew , Norton, Portland OR, Valhalla, HPK-M, 67:00

59, 8, Arthur, Ham, Des Moines WA, Necky Looksha III, FSK-M, 67:01

60, 7, John , Doornink, Poulsbo WA, Self built kit boat, SK-M, 67:16

61, 8, Wade, Johnson, Camano Island WA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 67:21

62, 6, Troy , Nishikawa, Redmond WA, Kamau Pueo, OC1-M, 67:35

63, 9, Jonathan, Berry, Issaquah WA, Valley Nordkapp, SK-M, 67:40

64, 2, Meg, Kelly, Burien WA, CD Stratus, FSK-W, 67:41

65, 10, Ian, Brosnan, Seattle WA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 67:46

66, 11, Andrew , Jaquiss, Portland OR, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 67:48

67, 12, Adrian , Inglis, Bellevue WA, Impex Assateague, SK-M, 67:50

68, 9, Torolf , Torgersen, Anacortes WA, Eddyline Falcon S18, FSK-M, 67:52

69, 13, William , McKenzie, Seattle WA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 68:51

70, 14, Chris, Mitchell, Bellingham WA, Rockpool Alaw Bach, SK-M, 68:52

71, 15, Robert , Freelove, Everett WA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 68:55

72, 1, Darrel, Bednark, Seattle WA, Bark Catalina 18", Pdbd - M, 69:03

73, 16, Timothy , Burke, Olympia, WA , NDK Explorer, SK-M, 69:11

74, 17, Michael , Germani, Tacoma WA, Impex Outer Island, SK-M, 69:13

75, 18, William , Porter, Kirkland WA, NDK Romany, SK-M, 69:17

76, 2, Donald, Kiesling, Seattle WA, Bark Catalina 18", Pdbd - M, 69:21

77, 19, Granville, Paulus, Bainbridge Island WA, Sterling Illusion, SK-M, 69:33

78, 7, Kevin, Fitzpatrick, Seattle WA, Huki OC1, OC1-M, 69:36

79, 20, John , Kuntz, Poulsbo WA, Hurricane Tracer 165, SK-M, 70:10

80, 21, Gregory , Routt, Seattle WA, NDK Romany, SK-M, 70:16

81, 22, Carl, Darmer, Olalla WA, , SK-M, 70:21

82, 23, Gerardo , Andaluz, Blaine WA, Necky Chatham 18, SK-M, 70:25

83, 24, Travis , Brown, Everett WA, Eddyline Nighthawk 16, SK-M, 70:38

84, 10, Kieran, O'Kane, Seattle WA, QCC 700x, FSK-M, 70:45

85, 25, Edward , Hand, Renton WA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 70:56

86, 1, Wendy, Carter, Bremerton WA, Huki OC1, OC1-W, 71:27

87, 3, Debbie, Natelson, Renton WA, CD Infinity, SK-W, 71:28

88, 26, Daniel, Elefant , Seattle WA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 71:36

89, 4, Ayu, Othman, Seattle WA, Necky Chatham 18, SK-W, 71:38

90, 27, Paul , Shelton, Lacey WA, Valley Skerray, SK-M, 71:40

91, 28, Tim, Niemeyer, Bellingham WA, Coyote Skupper, SK-M, 72:05

92, 29, Jeffrey , Bedford , Folsom, CA , NDK Romany, SK-M, 72:17

93, 2, Minnie, Fontenelle, Seattle WA, Kamanu Pueo, OC1-W, 72:24

94, 30, Aragorn, Mallory, Auburn WA, Wildy Tempest, SK-M, 72:33

95, 31, Pawel, Szopa, , NDK Romany Surf, SK-M, 72:37

96, 32, Ron, Wright, Portland OR, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 72:43

97, 33, Rand , Harrell, Seattle WA, Wildy Tempest, SK-M, 72:50

98, 34, Tom, Borst, Marblemount WA, Wildy Tempest, SK-M, 72:56

99, 5, Marty, Perry, North Vancouver CA, NDK Romany Surf, SK-W, 73:05

100, 6, Juliane , Gust, Seattle WA, Wildy Tempest, SK-W, 73:06

101, 35, Henry , Romer, Olympia, WA , NDK Romany, SK-M, 73:10

102, 36, Tom, Banks, Anacortes WA, Sterling IceKap, SK-M, 73:39

103, 37, Erik, Evans, Bellingham WA, Necky Elaho, SK-M, 73:49

104, 38, David , Harris, Bellingham WA, Sterling Illusion, SK-M, 73:53

105, 11, David , Ortland, Bellevue WA, Valley Q Boat, FSK-M, 73:58

106, 1, Beau, Whitehead, Bellingham WA, Bark Catalina 18", SUP-M, 74:03

107, 39, Alex, Okerman, Seattle WA, NDK Romany, SK-M, 74:10

108, 1, Jodi Wright & Kim Anderson, Portland OR, NDK Triton, 2SK-W, 74:14

109, 3, Rhonda, Bintliff, Portland OR, Hurricane, OC1-W, 74:24

110, 40, Dike, Drummond, Mount Vernon WA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 74:25

111, 7, Terri , Bedford , Folsom, CA , NDK Pilgrim, SK-W, 74:34

112, 8, Alison , Graham, Point Roberts WA, Sterling Illusion, SK-W, 74:39

113, 41, Terry , Fox, Issaquah WA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 75:04

114, 42, Mark , Greengo, Seatac WA, NDK Romany, SK-M, 75:53

115, 43, Justin, Lacson, Seattle WA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 76:14

116, 12, Sherman, Krantz, Bellingham WA, Necky Tahsis, FSK-M, 76:34

117, 44, Shane , Sobotka, Lk Stevens WA, Wildy Tempest, SK-M, 76:35

118, 45, David , Fisher, Poulsbo WA, Rockpool Alaw Bach, SK-M, 77:07

119, 9, Deborah, Orth, Gig Harbor WA, Redfish Spring Run, SK-W, 77:08

120, 46, Eoin, West, Seattle WA, Necky Chatham 17, SK-M, 77:17

121, 47, John, Ostermann, Seattle WA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 77:31

122, 10, Barb, Gronseth, Issaquah WA, Sterling Illusion, SK-W, 77:36

123, 48, David , Mohler, Bellingham WA, Necky Looksha IV, SK-M, 77:42

124, 11, Jennifer, O'Neal, Bellingham WA, Sterling IceKap, SK-W, 77:44

125, 49, John, Fiddler, Seattle WA, Perception Eclipse, SK-M, 77:51

126, 50, Mark, Webster, Portland OR, Novus Composites NC19, SK-M, 78:14

127, 51, Chris, Dyko, Bremerton WA, Wildy Tsunami 175, SK-M, 78:19

128, 12, Jennifer, Peloquin, Vashon WA, Valley Nordkapp LV, SK-W, 78:22

129, 13, Marianne , Banks, Anacortes WA, Sterling IceKap, SK-W, 78:23

130, 8, Joe, Evans, Waterville OR, Krueger Sea Wind, OC1-M, 78:32

131, 52, Mark, Peloquin, Vashon WA, Valley Nordkapp LV, SK-M, 78:41

132, 53, Scott , Prato, Aberdeen WA, Pygmy Coho, SK-M, 79:15

133, 14, Jeanette, Rogers, Seattle WA, Mariner Elan, SK-W, 79:36

134, 54, David, Haas, Richmond Beach WA, CD Caribou S, SK-M, 79:43

135, 15, Pamela , Powell, Graham WA, Mariner Express, SK-W, 79:44

136, 3, Heather, Rai, Bellevue WA, Valley Nordkapp , FSK-W, 79:55

137, 55, Peter , Babler, Seattle WA, NDK Greenlander Pro, SK-M, 79:56

138, 2, Jeff , Underwood, Mercer Island WA, , SUP-M, 80:27

139, 56, Harry , Allen, Bremerton WA, Perception Carolina 14, SK-M, 80:44

140, 1, Heather, Nelson, Bellingham WA, C4 Waterman, SUP-W, 80:46

141, 57, James, Stanger, Olympia, WA , Eddyline Wind Dancer, SK-M, 80:48

142, 58, Rob , King, Kirkland WA, Valley Aquanut, SK-M, 80:50

143, 59, Ed , Matkovick, Issaquah WA, NDK Romany, SK-M, 82:01

144-T, 60-T, David, Kau, Eastsound WA, NDK Romany, SK-M, 82:31

144-T, 60-T, Jim, Lehocky, Friday Harbor WA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 82:31

144-T, 60-T, Dean , Peterson, Seattle WA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, 82:31

144-T, 16-T, Janet, Brownell, Eastsound WA, NDK Explorer, SK-W, 82:31

144-T, 16-T, Maureen , Peterson, Seattle WA, Valley Nordkapp LV, SK-W, 82:31

149, 63, Jeffrey , Kahler, Wauna WA, Dagger Sitka, SK-M, 83:33

150, 64, Christopher, May, Woodinville WA, Pygmy Queen Charlotte, SK-M, 83:48

151, 65, David , Desertspring, Gig Harbor WA, Sterling Illusion, SK-M, 84:06

152, 66, Leon , Gander, Vancouver BC Canada, Wildy Tempest, SK-M, 85:31

153, 67, Paul , La Pointe, Woodinville WA, NWK Synergy, SK-M, 87:30

154, 68, Dennis, Malcom, Bremerton WA, Wildy Tempest, SK-M, 88:06

155, 69, Chad, Mickelson, Oak Harbor WA, Prijon, SK-M, 90:04

156, 70, Patrick, Martin, Oak Harbor WA, Wildy Tsunami , SK-M, 90:05

157, 1, Michael , Lampi, Bellevue WA, Nauticraft Escapade, Pedal, 90:14

158, 3, Bob , McDermott, Seattle WA, Hemel 11' SUP, SUP-M, 93:43

159, 4, David , Quasha, Seattle WA, Starboard Ultimate, SUP-M, 95:40

160, 5, Garth, Day, Vancouver BC Canada, SUP-M, 96:03

, , James, Doherty, Shoreline WA, , SUP-M, DNF

, , John , Day, North Bend WA, Huki S1X, HPK-M, Scr

, , Sam, Mulder, Portland OR, Huki S1-X, HPK-M, Scr

, , Erik, Wermus, Bellingham WA, Epic V10L, HPK-M, Scr

, , Alan , Goto, Seattle WA, Kamau Pueo, OC1-M, Scr

, , Michael, Vanderwater, Portland OR, Huki V1Z, OC1-M, Scr

, , James, Dunderdale, North Vancouver CA, NDK Explorer, SK-M, Scr

, , John , Sindelar, Seattle WA, Betsy Bay Valkyrie, SK-M, Scr

, , Daniel, White , Victoria BC Canada, NDK Greenlander Pro, SK-M, Scr

, , Elizabeth , Gould, LaConner WA, Riot Aura, SK-W, Scr

, , Tyler, Hesse, , , SUP-M, Scr

Photo, news & blog links for the Dash

It's only a day and a half post-Dash, and already the pictures and blog posts are popping up out there with paddlers' and spectators' shots of the race. Here are some links. If you choose to share or forward any of the images you find, please do so only with the permission of the photographers. They have been generous to send these links along for your enjoyment; let's not abuse that by using these images without credit or permission.

• Rick & Nancy Lamb's RamblinLamb Photography Shots... thanks you two for coming out again!
  

• Andrew Elizaga's Dash Point Pirate blog & photos
• Dash Point Pirate Video shot by David Tiller
  
• Jeanette Rogers' KayakGrrrrrl blog
  
• Inge Watson's photos on Flickr
  
• Jim & Nadja's photos on Picasa
  
• Rob Casey's photos on Flickr
  
• Michael Cline's photos on Flickr
  
• Michael Lampi's race pics shot from his pedal boat
  
• Heather & Brandon's ultramarathonpaddling blog post
  
• Local press: last week's prerace article in the Anacortes American
• This week's article by Jenny Manning in the Whidbey News-Times
• 120 photos on Picasa by your race director
  

Keep checking back to this page for updates. We'll add more links as they come in, including anything we see in the press.

Great race, results coming!

Thanks to everyone who came out --- all those 160+ racers, all the volunteers, the extraordinaire chefs from OAC, spectators, press photographers, everyone! We had an awesome time.

Results are on the way. Still tallying and making sure we’re accurate, we should have them posted by tonight right here on the blog. Thanks for your patience!

If you have comments about race organization, please draft them up and send along to deceptionpassdash@gmail.com. Merry Christmas everyone, and we’ll see you next year at the 5^th Annual Dash! The date will be published for your 2010 calendar, within a week.

Sweet vids of Dash #2 and 3

For a little Dash history, check these videos of the past two Dashes, from Steve Weileman and Jason Goldstein of Essex Explorations. These two adventurers are based right here on the Salish Sea and have documented their travels far and wide, and they’ve become regulars at the Dash each year.

http://www.xexplore.com/?p=1996

Looking forward to what Jason will put together after shooting this year’s race. Thanks for the coverage fellas!

Volunteer update

Hi volunteers, here's the latest...

Volunteers are invited, if you live in the Anacortes area or close by, to help put boat numbers and a few signs together, Wednesday 12/9 at Ruby Creek Boathouse's warehouse at 9117 Molly Lane #107. This is one block south of Hwy 20 on Reservation Road, just behind Jerry Smith Chevrolet. Whoever's into it, let's meet at 7:30pm, we can hang out for a couple hours or whatever time you can spend, and knock out a little prep work for the race. RSVP back to deceptionpassdash@gmail.com if you can make it.

If you're a safety boater, you should have been contacted by Blair Corson from Outdoor Adventure Center to review your paddling & rescue skills. If you haven't heard from Blair, please connect with him to get all the data on what you need to bring and when you'll be having your safety meeting. He's at info@outdooradventurecenter.com .

There will be things happening on Friday at Bowman Bay and if you can come help with setup starting about noon, that's awesome. The OAC crew can get it done, but it's always a good time with more people. Also, safety boaters are encouraged, if you're available, to come hang out on Friday and practice some rescues, get to know each other, maybe discuss funky things like how to tow a surfski, etc. on Friday afternoon.

Saturday morning, racer check-in starts at 8am so we'd like to have our entire volunteer crew checked in and ready to go by that time. Safety kayakers will report to Blair; for all you on-land folks, we'll divide you between:

• Check-in crew -- greeting racers, verifying their data on a list, receiving their release forms, issuing their tee shirts, and signing them up for the raffle.
• Beach crew -- wandering around with duct tape, helping racers mount their boat numbers, generally keeping things moving during launch time... and after the race, receiving boat numbers, keeping traffic moving in the landing area, helping racers with their gear.
• Timing crew (there will be some overlap with the check-in crew if some people want to do both jobs) -- Monitoring the start, recording the finishers. This job requires good focus and quick thinking, so please don't consider it just a chance to watch the excitement at the finish. You'll need to stay focused on recording finish times.
  
• There may be some need for help with the OAC food crew.

If you have a preference for a specific job, please say so.

Many thanks everyone for all your help making the Dash a success! We love our volunteers!

Friday prerace festivities

Outdoor Adventure Center invites all Dash racers and volunteers to come out to Bowman Bay on Friday December 11^th for informal socializing and hanging out all day and into the evening.

If you want to paddle the course in similar current conditions to race day, you’ll need to hit the starting line around 10am, so get there early.

Racers and volunteers are welcome to check in for the event, pick up your tee shirts and boat numbers, and practice safety techniques in the shelter of the Bay.

It’s getting close! See you out there!

Dash Day weather

Much as we’ve heard at Dash HQ how you’d all love to see another epic day “just like last year”, the current forecast for Saturday in Anacortes looks like this…

High 42

Partly cloudy

10% chance of precip

Wind – Northeast, 5mph

Track it yourself as race day gets closer, at:

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/98221?dp=windsdp

See you at the Dash!

Where to stay at the Dash

Just a few reminders to everyone:

Camping at the Bowman Bay section of the Park, right next to the start/finish venue, is closed for the winter. You can stay in the main campground across the bridge to the south, on Whidbey Island. You can make a reservation at: https://secure.camis.com/WA/DeceptionPassStatePark?Map

We’ve had awesome offers of deals for our participants at both the Cap Sante Inn in Anacortes, and the Coachman Inn in Oak Harbor . Both towns are full of great places to see and things to do. Deals on rooms are good both Friday and Saturday of race weekend. Just ask for the Dash special rates when you call to reserve a room.

Sleep good, see you at the Dash!

2009 Dash Boat Numbering system

At the first three Dashes, we asked you to position boat numbers vertically on your stern, so your number could be read by anyone close to you – safety boaters, other racers, photographers, etc. We did it like this:

We’re making a change this year. We’ve lost quite a few numbers to the elements in each race, which not only litters the bottom of our Salish Sea, it makes it hard for the timing/judging crew to figure out who you are at the finish. In 2009 we’re asking you to put your boat number on the bow of your boat, down flat so it can be read from high up on the pier at the finish line. Please be sure your number is on your bow, not your stern... and down flat like this:

Directions to the Dash

Not familiar with the race venue? Easy. Give yourself an hour and a half minimum from North Seattle, an hour from Bellingham.

· Take I-5 to exit 230 (Burlington/Hwy 20).

· Go 11.5 miles West

· Follow the signs to turn left (South) and continue on Hwy 20 toward Oak Harbor. DO NOT continue West to Anacortes.

· From this junction, follow Hwy 20 another 5.5 miles. You’ll see Pass Lake on your right.

· At the end of the Lake, turn right on Rosario Road and IMMEDIATELY left into the Park on Bowman Bay Road. DO NOT CROSS the Deception Pass Bridge to the main park entrance.

· The race venue start/finish line is at the Bowman Bay Boat Launch, at the bottom of the hill on Bowman Bay Road.

Over 160 racers

Another record turnout for the Dash, with 10 days til race day. Many thanks for all the support to our racers, dozens of volunteers, the local media for jumping on board, and of course to our amazing sponsors – check the list in the right margin – who were so generous in getting some incredible prizes out for the raffle.

Here’s the list of registered racers. This is two days old at this point – it was current on Tuesday morning, Dec 1^st. If you registered after that, have faith, we know about you.

If you haven’t replied to our request for your boat class, home town, please do so. We’d like to have all our data straight when you check in. See you out there!

Harry Allen Bremerton WA

Gerardo Andaluz Blaine WA

Kim Anderson Portland OR

Karl Andersson Portland OR

Peter Babler Seattle WA

Sonya Bailey Sedro Woolley WA

Shane Baker Port Orchard WA

Marianne Banks Anacortes WA

Tom Banks Anacortes WA

Greg Barton

Greg Bawden Duvall WA

Jeffrey Bedford Folsom, CA

Terri Bedford Folsom, CA

Darrel Bednark Seattle WA

Trista Bilmer Vancouver BC Canada

Rhonda Bintliff Portland OR

Brian Boatman

Tom Borst Marblemount WA

Kevin Bowman

Andy Bridge Sultan WA

Ian Brosnan

Travis Brown Everett WA

Janet Brownell Eastsound WA

Timothy Burke Olympia, WA

Gary Cassulis North Vancouver CA

Sherri Cassuto Seattle Wa

Tracy Clapp Duvall WA

Paul Clement Bellingham WA

Michael Cline Seattle WA

Traci Cole Kenmore WA

Clement Corbiell

Brett Couvrette Seattle WA

David Couvrette Seattle WA

Charles Curry Bainbridge Island WA

Carl Darmer Olalla WA

Garth Day Vancouver BC Canada

John Day North Bend WA

Michael Dee

David Desertspring Gig Harbor WA

Chris Dobrovolny Vancouver BC Canada

James Doherty Shoreline WA

John Doornink Poulsbo WA

James Dunderdale Vancouver BC Canada

Reivers Dustin Bellingham WA

Greg Dutton

Chris Dyko Bremerton WA

Daniel Elefant Seattle WA

Andrew Elizaga Tacoma WA

Erik Evans Bellingham WA

John Fiddler Seattle WA

David Fisher Poulsbo WA

Kevin Fitzpatrick Seattle WA

John Flynn Seattle WA

Minnie Fontenelle Seattle WA

Terry Fox Issaquah WA

Shawna Franklin Eastsound WA

Robert Freelove Everett WA

Michael Germani Tacoma WA

Sean Gibson North Vancouver CA

Larry Goolsby Ferndale WA

Alan Goto Seattle WA

Elizabeth Gould LaConner WA

Alison Graham Point Roberts WA

Mark Greengo Seatac WA

Michael Gregory Bellingham WA

Barb Gronseth Issaquah WA

George Gronseth Issaquah WA

Brady Guinn Seattle WA

Juliane Gust Seattle WA

David Haas Richmond Beach WA

Arthur Ham Des Moines WA

Michael Hammer

Edward Hand Renton WA

Rand Harrell Seattle WA

David Harris Bellingham WA

Jeffrey Hegedus Bellingham WA

Tyler Hesse

Wayne Horodowich Mill Creek WA

Adrian Inglis Bellevue WA

David Jacobson Bellingham WA

Andrew Jaquiss Portland OR

Wade Johnson Camano Island WA

Steven Jones Seattle WA

Joe Kaftan Seattle WA

Jeffrey Kahler Wauna WA

David Kau Eastsound WA

Matt Kelly

Meg Kelly Burien WA

Donald Kiesling Seattle WA

Rob King

Sherman Krantz

Ken Kroeger Seattle WA

John Kuntz Poulsbo WA

Paul La Pointe Woodinville WA

Roger Lamb Bellingham WA

Michael Lampi Bellevue WA

Justin Larcos Seattle WA

Howard Lee

Jim Lehocky Friday Harbor WA

Rick Lingbloom Bellingham WA

Andrew Losli Forest Grove OR

Dennis Malcom Bremerton WA

Aragorn Mallory

Ed Matkovick Issaquah WA

Christopher May Woodinville WA

Bob McDermott Seattle WA

Tana McDowell Des Moines WA

William McKenzie Seattle WA

Chris Mitchell Bellingham WA

David Mohler Bellingham WA

Sam Mulder Portland OR

Debbie Natelson Renton WA

Brandon Nelson Bellingham WA

Heather Nelson Bellingham WA

Gabriel Newton Seattle WA

Troy Nishikawa Redmond WA

Matthew Norton Portland OR

Alex Okerman Seattle WA

Jennifer O'Neal Bellingham WA

Deborah Orth Gig Harbor WA

David Ortland Bellevue WA

John Ostermann

Ayu Othman Seattle WA

Brian Page Vancouver BC Canada

Doug Peele Gig Harbor WA

Marty Perry North Vancouver CA

Dean Peterson Seattle WA

Maureen Peterson Seattle WA

Tyler Peterson Burien WA

William Porter Kirkland WA

Pamela Powell Graham WA

Scott Prato Aberdeen WA

David Price Woodinville WA

Bob Putnam Vancouver BC Canada

David Quasha Seattle WA

Heather Rai Bellevue WA

Glenn Rogers Gig Harbor WA

Jeanette Rogers

Henry Romer Olympia, WA

Gregory Routt Seattle WA

Paul Shelton Lacey WA

John Sindelar Seattle WA

Chris Smith Auburn WA

Shane Sobotka Lk Stevens WA

Leon Somme Eastsound WA

James Stanger Olympia, WA

Shaun Sullivan Ferndale WA

Pawel Szopa

Torolf Torgersen Anacortes WA

Jeff Underwood Mercer Island WA

Jesse Varsi Anacortes WA

Mark Webster Portland OR

Erik Wermus

T Eoin West

Beau Whitehead Bellingham WA

Marc Whitlock Bellingham WA

Warren Williamson

Ernest Wong Seattle WA

Jodi Wright Portland OR

Ron Wright Portland OR

Pete Wylie

Jim Zimmerman Anacortes WA

Dash safety checklist

As we approach Dash Day, here’s a reminder. Last year’s paddling conditions caused one racer / long-time paddling instructor to comment that some racers were “clearly out of their element”. We had gone the first two years with sweet conditions and no capsizes, to last year’s epic seas with racers, safety paddlers, and powerboats teaming up on rescue after rescue. So here are a few things we want everyone to bring along:

Good judgment is your number one safety tool. You are responsible for your own safety, even though we'll have a couple dozen expert paddlers out there along with the sheriff and Cap’n Dillard keeping an eye on you.

There’s nothing wrong with saying to yourself, after checking in and getting your tee shirt, “I may be beyond my capabilities today and I don’t feel like burdening the safety crew”. You still get free coffee, a hot meal, and a chance to win a sweet raffle prize. Keep in mind too, that in an emergency we’re focused only on getting you safely warm and back to shore… which means your $3,000 boat may be long gone because we care less about your gear than we do about you.

Requirements of all paddlers: CG-approved pfd, loud signal whistle, and confidence that you could self-rescue even without safety crew help.

You’re required to stop and help a fellow racer in distress if the safety crew hasn’t gotten there first.

Dress for immersion: This means dry suit or wet suit, to keep you insulated while you’re in the water, even if you get separated from your boat.

Know the course and its hazards!

Recommendations: VHF radio, extra fleece, small thermos with hot drink, paddle float, bilge pump.

Weather forecast for Dash Day

As of today, Thursday the 3^rd, here’s the weather forecast for Dash Day from weatherchannel.com:

43 degrees with snow showers (go figure)… 60% chance of precip, and 9kt SSE wind.

Stay tuned at http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/98221?dp=windsdp to see the current look.