Wednesday's Child

WEDNESDAYS CHILD, By Shawn Alladio 5/2009

Ryan Levinson and Joe after our training session that ended early Wednesday evening pictured below.

We ran offshore on 3 Jet Skis. The goal is to find the break time of endurance. Starting out at clips of 3-5 miles of a fast run, a short break and repeating the reciprocal direction.

One of our riding goals is to develop landing strength for core stability on port and starboard, as well as the centerline of the craft fore and aft. The landings are always crucial, from the centerline of the craft, bow to stern, depending upon how we run the ocean, getting out of step can result in an injury or ejection from the craft.

We run triagulation patterns to build memory for both the decisions for craft handling and fast run stability, but not limited to taking loads against the hull at various water directions. Maintaining this load at a forward movement is not easy, as trim and throttle have to be constantly managed.

Peak peformance will come from a combination of trim/throttle control, environmental and trim choices underway at or near close peak of wide open throttle application. Many people can run a fast clip at one mile, but we are talking 60 mile jaunts, no backing off, no unequal loads and no ejections. That's PRIME TIME driving.

The ocean on Wednesday gave just enough clap to bring out the finer points of fatigue. The mindset of an operator is the brilliance of a finely crafted run. We train our minds, then our body to match the strength of our boat. Then apply increased speeds with applied timelines, and offset those by directional changes. This is where we find our level of mediocrity. When we find ourselves comfortable, it is time to push harder.

This is what we do. How we do it, matters on the water in the moment of decisiveness. Time limits compliment our breaking points, but we do not break our bodies down completely, we allow the push points to hold firm, then relax. When we have hit our max load, we retire.

The next transit run will depend upon weather and water. Running a course that is not familiar is important. When familiarity interrupts the level of desired output, we become weak. To surrender to that can translate into an injury. Not acceptable in my focus. If we cannot define everything we are operating with; boat, body, and water, and in step with forward movement 'at speed', we are not 'riding the ride'. We are merely talking about talk, and that story is boring and unacceptable, offering few moments of glory.

Training is nothing but preparation, until the battle begins, training is just time paid in. Those training results are exposed as a real world truth when we are placed under pressure, it reveals who you truly are. What are you made of?

The men I run with win. If they do not have the passion to excel, they will take themselves out of the equitable endurance of what drives a champion. Champions are those who have many layers of measured mindset connected to body execution. Having worked with thousands of athletes some things just stand out in human character. Passion is one element. When we run in teams, the team must win, simply put, it must. Whatever your boundary is, you own that, I prefer to drive through them and redefine the next movement.

I observe everything, above, below and within. I can choose who I train with, or they choose me. It depends upon the door. If I shut that door and that person still knocks and continues to knock and shows fortitude with strength and honor, the door opens. There are many who want to excel but are not willing to take themselves there. They believe there is some secret or stepping stone to leap from. Wrong.


That drive is internal and innate to character. It resides in the individual. I observe and I can spot one out of a group (If I'm lucky enough to have one there), you just know they are the real deal, nothing more said. In essence they will teach and lead themselves by example not by following or leading, but through duality in the moment of necessity. They simply go and put forth great effort in every movement. Their weakest moment can encompass anothers full moment, not acceptable in my book. If you want to run in a pack, you set the pace, you don't follow the pace. You push and drive the momentum beyond your pain or comfort.

At 48 years of age if I see a young pup falling behind me, disgrace, disgrace! They should be putting out beyond their comfort or my lead. Not acceptable. Weak minds and effort kill, they destroy synergy. People like this must go away or seriously ramp up. Of course the learning curve allows opportunity to trial, test and fail but the recovery is the weapon of choice, how you recover and respond is what makes the heart and soul of a spirited warrior, no matter what the discipline application is.

I had a student say he was afraid. That's honest and respectful. He said he didn't want to go back into the surf. That's honest. He said he was fearful because of his last experience. Now, here is the crutch. I challenged him to go back into the surf. Which he did. That was honorable. And immediately he created his prophecy. When the wave came he abandoned ship. Not acceptable. Fear is either going to enoble you to drive forward or it is going to kill. Passion and spirit diminish with fear, its is a bondage, a slavery of imagination.

I turned to him, 'are you hurt?'. 'No' he replied, 'but I'm scared and I dont' want to do this.' I said 'good, let's go'. He looked at me and he hesitated. One must simply go and accept the results within the boundaries of comfort. He was not hurt, the waves were not beyond his ability nor his craft, he was capable. But he crippled his mind so much and gave his power away to the ocean, instead of keeping it inside of himself. He threw himself away. His experience was yesterday. Today we go, with open minds to learn from our failures. If you continue to block your experiences because of a safety measure you create through fear, you will eventually call that out and damage yourself. There are moments where fear will save your life. But fear should not cripple you from your level of excellence. Keep Moving-Keep Thinking!

Do you see the message here? Most of you are intimate with it and could write novels on the subject of our spirited decisions and the relevance of going the distance and whatever results are derived. What motivates you? I know what my triggers are. I can define them and push that fold a little with each launch. Ryan defines it every single day because his situation forces him. If you are not being pressured you will turn feral on attitude. Keep primed, find inspiration. Folks like Ryan gift that to you through example.

After our ride, Ryan and Joe stepped up immediately without asking or having to be directed, they simply did what was needed to complete 'the ride after the ride'. These two go the distance to its ending. They aren't there just for the 'ride'. That is part of a champion's character. Examples are not looked for, they are set through action.

I rinsed off with the hose, changed my clothes at the boat launch and readied myself for the Water Safety Congress award I was to receive in 30 minutes at the Oceanside Yacht Club. Mike Alpha did a drive by and picked me up and we headed to the US Power Squadrons meeting where Paul Newman from the USCG 11th District did me the honors. A very fitting day. From family, friends, training and rewards. Our efforts matter, maybe not in our moment, but perhaps someone else's.


We will get there, one hot run at a time... We 'Ride the Ride'.



Double D-'The Ride After The Ride'

2009 Long Beach to Catalina & Back Offshore National Championship PWC Race

Press Release from R.P.M. Racing Enterprises

CONTACT: Ross Wallach - (310) 318-4012
rossdbos26@yahoo.com

REDONDO BEACH, CALIFORNIA – May 18, 2009 - RPM Racing Enterprises released today the final details, plans and schedule for the 2009 APBA Offshore National Championship Long Beach 2 Catalina & Back PWC Race presented by Sea-Doo. Four separate racing events will comprise the Long Beach Power Fest which will take place over the weekend of July 11th & 12th, and are an integral part of the City of Long Beach’s summer long Sea Festival. In addition to the very fast Personal Water Crafts on Sunday morning the Long Beach Power Fest will feature the 61st Annual Long Beach to Catalina Water Ski Race on Saturday morning, and the 98th Annual Offshore Power Boat Challenge on Sunday. Just added for this year’s event is tunnel boat racing action as Round # 2 of the Western Formula Light Series (WFLS) makes its debut stop during Power Fest. These highly maneuverable 14’ long tunnel boats (cousins to the larger Formula One Tunnel boats) can literally “turn on the dime” and pull 4-6 g’s around the tight 7/8 mile course. The WFLS tunnel boats will race just outside of Rainbow Harbor (adjacent to Parker’s Lighthouse).

Ross Wallach, president of RPM Racing Enterprises said, “We’re very excited to bring these events; the world famous Long Beach to Catalina Ski Race, the famed Long Beach to Catalina & back PWC Offshore National Championship presented by Sea-Doo, the Western Formula Lights Series and the Pacific Offshore Racing Association’s Power Boat “Rum Run” Challenge, and being able to work with everyone involved to make this unbelievable event become a reality. The combining of forces offers a plethora of new opportunities to make this entire weekend an overwhelming success”.

Five classes of personal water craft including the “sportsman” first time racer class and the “manufacturer’s stock” classes to entice the average PWC enthusiast to participate are expected to swell the field to over 75 boats as the news of the weekend of racing stirs interest in the entire personal water craft community to enter and be a part of this momentous weekend. Offshore PWC racers from across the country are clamoring to get their entries in and compete with the elite West Coast group of offshore endurance experts try to break the new records in every class set last year for the challenging channel crossing.

The 2008 overall winner, Craig Warner, Corona, CA will be back again to defend his title on a Kawasaki Ultra 250X. Among the early entries are Mike Follmer, Newport Beach, CA on a Yamaha FZR, Mark Gerner, Aliso Viejo, CA on a Kawasaki ULTRA250X and Nick Vanis, Los Alamitos, CA on his factory Honda.

This race for the APBA Offshore National Championship will start off with a “rolling start” in Los Alamitos Bay near the Queen Mary in Long Beach at 8:00 AM by a flagman on an official vessel anchored in the harbor. The PWC’s will proceed from the start out through the Queens Gate entrance to the Los Angeles Harbor into the Pacific Ocean on a straight line across the channel to Catalina Island. Navigation always plays a large part in any offshore race but particularly here where racers lose sight of land and all fixed reference points at some time going in both directions. PWC racers are required to have a GPS system, compass, radio, cell phone and numerous other safety items in order to make the potentially dangerous crossing as safe as possible. When the PWC’s arrive at Catalina, they will have to negotiate around a three masted schooner with a large marker flying overhead that will be anchored one mile offshore and have race officials on board documenting their passage. With helicopters overhead guiding and filming the event, the fleet of PWC’s will proceed back to Long Beach along the same route they just traversed the channel on to reach the finish line just off the stern of the start/finish vessel. The entire event, as well as the other two events this Long Beach Offshore Power Fest weekend will be filmed for later editing and broadcast on the new, national Water Channel. The race is also expected to garner the largest and most diversified media coverage ever for boat racing because of the popularity of the three completely different types of races being run and the importance the City of Long Beach is placing on this weekend of events.

The renewed national interest in PWC racing and the emergence of the American Power Boat Association (APBA) as the sanctioning body and driving force in PWC racing have contributed to the promoter’s expectation that over 75 riders will be vying for titles in this race. In addition to the safety equipment required by the APBA rule book, several additional safety items will be required of the racers to insure a safe trip across the channel to Catalina and back, and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and Long Beach Lifeguards will be providing support for the events. An announcement will be made soon regarding which emergency water service has been contracted with to provide racers with towing and on the water emergency service, as well as the announcement of a host hotel that will serve as race headquarters.

Promoter Ross Wallach said, “I can guarantee everyone involved that I intend to raise the bar even higher with this event after what we learned from last year to ensure that every racer, fan and sponsor carries away enough memories to last them until next year along with some fantastic trophies for overall and class winners”. Race specifics and entry forms are forthcoming so be ready to enter soon because there will be no race day entries accepted.

All the components are converging to make this weekend of events the most talked about and must participate in extravaganzas of all time. Come to the Long Beach Sea Festival, Long Beach Power Fest, and race in the 2009 APBA Offshore National Championship Long Beach 2 Catalina & Back PWC Race presented by Sea-Doo and create your own memories.

For more information on the race and the weekend, please visit www.pwcoffshore.com or www.apbaracing.com. Ross Wallach can be reached at (310) 318-4012
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2009 LB2CAT, jet ski race, pwc offshore racing

2009 LB2CAT Race - ENTRY FORM now available!

The entry form for this year's 2009 Long Beach to Catalina and Back Offshore National Championship Race aka LB2CAT scheduled for July 12, 2009 is now available! Click here http://www.pwcoffshore.com/LB2CAT_Race_Page.html for the form and get your entry forms in ASAP! We are hearing some big names will be there and keep in mind that there will be multiple classes including Sportsman for first time offshore racers, "Bone stock" for completely stock craft, Amateur and Pro/Am. Come on out and be part of this epic event!!!

pwc racing, jetski racing, offshore racing
www.pwcoffshore.com

PWCOFFSHORE now has a forum focused on PWC offshore / PWC endurance riding and racing called www.PWCOFFSHOREFORUMS.com

4/24/2009: PWCOFFSHORE.com now has a forum called www.pwcoffshoreforums.com that is intended to build, grow and strengthen the PWC / Jet Ski offshore and endurance racing and riding community. If you ride or race your watercraft (PWC / Jet Ski) for long distances or ride/race in the ocean, check out www.pwcoffshoreforums.com

The PWCOFFSHORE.com site and PWCOFFSHOREFORUMS.com forum focuses on community and best practices associated with PWC offshore and PWC endurance riding and racing. For racing, the sites focuses on the premier offshore and endurance races in the United States; they are the APBA Mark Hahn Memorial 300 Mile PWC Race, the APBA Dana Point, Ca to Avalon Offshore PWC Race, The Long Beach to Catalina and Back APBA Offshore National Championship PWC Race ("LB2CAT"), and the Dana Point to Oceanside and Back Offshore PWC Race. If you ride in salt water or for long distances, come check it out!

PWCOFFSHORE www.pwcoffshore.com

PWCOFFSHORE Forums www.pwcoffshoreforums.com

Gerner and Carreon of PWCOFFSHORE On The Cover Of The April 2009 PWI Magazine

Gerner and Carreon of PWCOFFSHORE on the cover of the April, 2009 Personal Waercraft Illustrated Magazine (PWI) for their overall win at the 2009 Mark Hahn 300 Mile National Championhip Race! Check it out for the full story. Also on the cover are Mike Follmer and Nick Vanis!

Personal Watercraft Illustrated Magazine (PWI) - click here: http://www.watercraft.com/index.php













PWC Racing, Mark Hahn 300, Jet Ski Racing

For more information about offshore racing, go to www.pwcoffshore.com

Don't miss the annual Long Beach, CA USA to Catalina Island and Back Offshore National Championship PWC Race in July!

John Belton of PWCOFFSHORE.com Racing Is The first STOCK Craft To Cross The Line At The 2009 DP2AV Offshore Race

John Belton of PWCOFFSHORE.com Racing Is The first STOCK Craft To Cross The Line At The 2009 DP2AV Offshore Race

John Belton, AKA "THE MASTER" of the channel to Catalina Island thrives on his stock Kawasaki 260X at the 2009 Dana Point to Avalon Offshore Race with a 5th place overall finish in the 37 mile offshore race to Avalon.

Riding his completely stock Kawasaki 260X, Belton was the first racer to cross the finish line on a completely stock craft. Every craft that finished ahead of Belton was modified, most were very heavily modified craft with speeds approaching or exceeding 80 miles per hour. So what makes John able to be so competitive on a stock craft? Time and experience; Belton has crossed the channel from Los Angeles to Catalina Island in excess of 500 times on a PWC (yes, more than 500 times). You will be challenged to find anyone else on the planet with more experience in the channel than John Belton. An accomplished sailor, this endurance athlete and former Marathon runner is a force to be reckoned with in any offshore PWC Race and remains a tremendous wealth of information regarding what it takes to be successful in racing PWC offshore.

One of the most mild mannered, focused and nicest people you will encounter, but don't be fooled by the calm demeanor and mild mannered approach. Belton is a tenacious competitor on the race course that will put any racer through his or her paces. Those who know endurance racing know and respect Mr. John Belton. Congratulations John Belton!

For more information on offshore PWC Jetski racing, go to www.pwcoffshore.com

2009 Dana Point to Avalon Offshore PWC Sprint Race, By Shawn Alladio

2009 Dana Point to Catalina Sprint
RPM Racing Presents the Inaugural Dana Point to Catalina PWC Offshore Race on April 5th, California USA.
PWCoffshore Race Team Rider Shawn Alladio
WAR- We All Race
“Light bump. Small swell. Fast course”, the email from my friend David Puu gave his 3 elemental quotes. He sent it Saturday night at 10:38 PM. David has followed my travels on the 7 Seas and anywhere in the world; he delivers the current conditions with a perfect 100% accuracy. He has never missed a step. He hasn’t only earned my respect, he’s all about respect.

I had spent much of Saturday at the Registration, branding my Jet Ski with stickers and getting raced prepared. There was a lot of anticipation for this race. The big question and equalizer was the weather. Today the ocean was wicked; it showed promise of a slower pace with a lot of intensity for the boat, the racer and timeframes. But would the wind hold overnight? I and a few others were praying for that degree of difficulty. And we would lose big. California woke up with an endless summer in April.

The Amade Family arrived, kisses and hugs as usual, Mike Arnold was waiting for his #71 stickers I was bringing along that Ryan and Kyla made along with everything else Liquid Militia style. Together we spent the afternoon wallpapering our boats, but mainly laughing and having a great time with everyone. Kyla worked all day making hundreds of stickers I handed out, while Shaniah laughed in the background. Mark Gerner was there along with the RPM Racing staff, Pirate, Dubz and Daughter, Young plugged in my GPS for me as usual, Sean Conner was there. Aaron Cress is making magic happening for everyone, especially for Kim Bushong. I love this vibe!

Ahmed buys all his emergency gear that is required, it is an investment in not only his life, but it could be for others. How prophetic this turns when his boat has mechanical issues 8 miles from shore. I tell him to pack it tightly so there is no friction or movement so his gear stays in one piece. First time racing has a learning curve, and I’ve lost a lot myself not knowing what to expect. One reason to check out the PWCoffshore.com race site and take all the safety, riding and gear tips you can read up on their tutorials. Now Sean mind you looks like he just walked off a NASCAR track. He and his race boats match like red hot Ferrari’s, but it’s his profile image that pulls this look together, because he’s smooth. Tequila Racing was there in the happiest of moods, lifting everyone’s spirits. This is what I love about our racers, even when there is stress involved they are the best group to hang with. They are having fun!

I texted Ahmed Amade at 9:14 pm “Rest well, pack everything tight!” In typical Ahmed fashion he texts back, “Thanks Shawn you are awesome”. I’m working on my motivational stickers for the racers. Ryan plugged in the text and I’m weeding till past midnight: WAR – We All Race. I will hand them out eagerly in the morning, nothing like having a few good words to pump a little more drive into the WAR machine!

Multiple phone calls and texts later from as far away as Minnesota I’m checking in with D.W. for our new ‘assignment’, well probably his. Jim Lambert hails some late night ‘race clip’ emails, and the general vibe is healthy and downright naughty. The PWC race community is juiced about the newest endurance addition, and a few of us will actually experience the big blue come 8:00am Sunday. And some will not sleep at all I imagine.

7 hours later at 5:16 am my phone rings, Puu says ‘It’s going to be a fast track. The Santa Ana winds have picked up in Ventura, it should be interesting’. His perceptions will prove prophetic. Mike Arnold was en route at 5:00am to the Dana Point Harbor from San Diego. He’s been training for his first PWC offshore race, having only ridden for 7 months; stepping up to a Catalina race is sheer determination on his part. He rigged his Sea Doo with race branding the day prior at the Technical inspection. He was the first to arrive on scene. I called him as I headed south on I-5. We laughed about the day ahead; he said it was glass in the harbor, no wind. Oh well! Let’s go racing!

Mark Gerner was next on my call list. He was already pulling out of the driveway. It was still dark, not much traffic and a light breeze began to blow. The stars were shining; I knew I would be able to see Catalina from the race starting position. This would make the route safe and secure for our introductory Sporstman Racers. A huge relief for me, it’s hard to separate the two, racing and safety, I’m stuck in the middle.

Russell Libby from the AWA - Socal Watercraft Club is on the deck; squared away he launches his support PWC and checks in, grabs his radio and he’s on remote control. Aaron Cress has the K38 rescue board tethered to one of his craft, so the tandem safety is secure for the race. The Avalon finish boat, a yellow Sea Tow safety vessel starts off across the channel to get in place. This is a great contribution to the safety of the racers, and they are on my own podium of sorts.
The racers arrive and pull into their parking stalls and begin prepping their boats. RPM Racing holds the rider’s meeting and everyone is good to go, the confidence level is high. Nothing runs out of schedule all day. My kids show up later and set up the Liquid Militia canopy and their day begins. Bryant Lambert and Matt Rodgers from Hypnotic Films arrive and begin shooting the Liquid Militia documentary. We’re focusing on our sport and the people who make it. This is the second stage of Endurance racing for Hypnotic Films, having shot the Mark Hahn 300, the Sprint and the finale will be the LB2CAT in July

I check in with Ross from RPM Racing and tell him I’ll be the last boat to cross the finish line conducting a sweep. I bring up the rear later as Arnold and I are the last to refuel. Catalina was stunning, a USCG Cutter outside the harbor, the Casino loomed, waters were clear and I felt like I was in the Mediterranean.

Everyone comes and greets, finishes the last touches and head out to the starting area outside the Jaws of the harbor. The start line boat in the secondary Sea Tow craft with the RPM racing staff on board, and media personnel are ready for action. Staff gets the 29 racers in line and the roll starts to the white flag. Green flag rises and the modified boats are gone before I even start.

I look over to the North and see a Sea Doo, and the familiar red Ultra of Mark Gerner, his boat pitches forward. I am mesmerized by the pick-up and speed of his boat and the next 3 in line north of him, blocked by his whitewater spray I can’t make them out, but I imagine them to be Sea Doos. I’m riding with one hand on the throttle and tracking the launch of the Pro’s.
I make two quick checks on Mike Arnold; he’s doing really good holding his track line. His first race start. He was not alone in the Sportsman’s class; a good crew was making their first race appearance. They will prove to be the future of this sport.

Mark’s boat levels out perfectly and his pump levels powerfully the full weight of the hull with his body position, it almost looks poetic. I do think there is something about the color red flashing on the surface of water, it jumps out at you. His boat pulls and the forces of action spell race time. Mark is gone in a flash.

I’m watching in high speed real time, by my mind has put it into stop frame shots. I am next to Mike Arnold on his RXT Sea Doo, and as I cross the Sea Tow boat I give a wave to my port side, swim fins flapping and I’m smiling as I look over at Young, Lambert and Rodgers and staff. This is a great opportunity for me yet again, another race, I’m deep into my third decade or racing now. Geez I’m getting old and I love it!

I know my race will not be a podium place, so my goal is 10th, and even that is iffy on my stock Kawasaki Ultra 250X. Mark was running in fine form until near the end of the race his boat found a trouble spot that limited his maximum output. Many others experienced similar moments at different nautical miles of the course. This is the deal about distance, anything can and will happen, and everyone will at some point have the same disappointments and celebrations. A few didn’t even finish.

I am following lead boats, but they aren’t really lead boats, they are far and away boats. I take off and I count my position, I’m in 15 or 16th place. There is a Sea Doo to my port side who slowly creeps away from me, and then he simply disappears, leaving a v white contrail on the water. On my starboard side is a pack of racers, all staying within step of one another, nobody is increasing or decreasing their positions. I’m far south of the pod. I don’t mind it, and I don’t have a navigational tactic, I’m just going to wing it. I’m having fun.

I realize after a few miles, nothing is going to change; I’m still in the same placing. The closer we race to Catalina, the optics appear further away, Catalina seems forever out of reach. The ocean has a nice 3 foot swell, even gentle crests that roll in an undulating smooth pulse. It’s a nice soft texture on the surface; it mixes it up a little at various nautical mile marks, but stays relatively calm. Fast boat racing.

The mega pod of dolphins appears slightly prior to mid channel. I rejoice as I see their characteristic herding push. I love this pod, and have seen them on many transits, how many generations have been born and are the ones from the 80’s in this pod still alive I wonder?
Along the course skating on the surface is a strewn field of balloons. I almost stopped to pick up one large clump. I had to tell myself as I slowed down to stay focused. I know I’m not going to win, so time on the water is just paid time. I dismiss the notion and remind myself, ‘on the way back you can get all of them, stop your thinking process and stay in the race.’
What do I like best about endurance racing? People ask what is the advantage? How many explanations would you like? Let’s start with the most significant one. Time paid for water minutes, combined water acreage transited is by far the best value in racing history! When you average out the length of a course as its overall distance, the time involved, it’s actually cheap! I can race for a continuous hour or over 6 hours depending upon the track and the weather, and I feel I paid for the best value!
How is this possible? Because my body and spirit respect a true challenge, and there is nothing better than going the distance in life. The ending is actually more important than anything else. Racing against yourself is the supreme challenge, because your mindset is what makes a real champion, it’s not always the person who takes first, but the person who takes something positive away from the experience. I have a mental race conversation with Minnesota, (several times) and revel in the positive messages, my kids thanking them for waiting patiently for mommy while they sit around. Mom has all the fun. I think my own mother Diana for she is my number one fan in competition with DW I surmise, she paid my entry fee. Saying something about my mother, there is something so lovely about her spirit, I remember when I was a little girl looking up at this woman and even then recognizing there was something so unique about my own mother, my mom was different. She had this aura of confidence and beauty I never felt I could encompass, and my mom has always told me how proud she is of me. That’s how I feel about her.

I learned from my mom to tell my own children these same things, and it’s real. I tell Kyla and Ryan again during this race, ‘thank you for everything, thank you for my life and what you bring to it’. I am very proud of them. Shaniah, well she can be a huge nuisance at times of course, but what joy she brings into our lives daily with her little girl style and enthusiasm for everything new. She’s going to be chasing Kyla and Bryan around with a camera in no time, she loves photography.

This type of racing offers you ‘core’ time to sift through the valleys of your life. How many lifetimes can flash in your mind in 1 minute, imagine one hour, in solitude, racing a fast boat 37 miles offshore, intimacy, heart and soul all commune within your thought process. The best value for any therapy session I can imagine.

I notice that Pirate is slowing down, he’s to my starboard, and was holding steady; I doubt I could have caught him. He gave his all despite an injury, he really sacrificed, and a few others were running with injuries, I admire them. Pirate runs his pirate flag, a great reminder of a person who knows the value of living life well. The Socal Watercraft Club has a good showing with local talent as always.

I was really impressed with my Kawasaki Ultra. For a stock boat, it was as steady a pace with no interruptions besides the one I gave it. Twice I hit the stop button with my pelvis, having to rekey the ignition start. I had a few good impacts with the hull. I told Arnold I expected a minimum of 5 kisses on the helm during this race or he wasn’t riding hard enough!
The lead race boats are mile out of my sight, I can’t even make out their white trailing jet wash. I am so impressed with these boats. It seems that this race was dominated by Sea Doo race technology. Watching from behind the traction these boats gain, is the only way to appreciate their designer. Steve Friebe once again, tunes winners for podium applause.
I begin to slowly pull away from a small pod of race boats, but I’m not on track, I’m heading south of the Sea Tow finish line boat. I even know it. The island is still further out, but it seems so close. I look behind me, see a few more balloons and I’m in between packs, sorta in a dead spot. There is nobody in front to chase, and nobody behind to get me at this point, that is if I don’t screw myself up, which is what I will proceed to do. And I love it, the entire experience is satisfying, the disappointment and the majesty of just running WOT! (Wide open throttle). There is a lot of boating activity out today; it’s a great day for racing!
I look over and see the yellow dot flashing on the surface just south of the Casino. But I hold my course just rambling in my brain about people and thoughts, I’m drifting. I decide it’s time to head north. I look back at the track and I see a blue Yamaha running so hard and true. It’s Taylor Curtis. He’s the real deal in the surf. This man understands active water and the secrets of waves. He’s started a new business for free riding and I would sure check in with him, as experience saves money and lives. If you want to get ahead, you have to get hooked up with the best.
I believe at his pace he’s going to pass me and rightly so for my mistakes, well deserved on his part. That’s what makes racing great, you never know until the ‘ending’ what might happen. The race isn’t over till you cross that line. I am exceptionally happy, as for me is what racing is all about. A fight for the finish after 37 miles of open water, and with talent on board! I am so lucky.
Your competition is your greatest gift. For without their drive and passion you will never have anything to measure yourself against. Our boats are perfectly matched; speed for speed, the only problem is we are coming at a t-bone intersection because of my failure. He’s right on track and I’m trying to find an edge to my misery. It was great! I either got a penalty or I beat him, and I’m not sure which I deserved most. I really like his style and this is a person who has years ahead of him to curve ball this sport. Remember what I just said.

I’m blazing concentrated thoughts on select racers now, its’ cumulative. Sean Conner takes his number 7 boat at a hot trot. Age doesn’t make a difference in racing, but it is what comes next. A middle aged racer like me is limited by time, yet for racers like Sean Conner, time is their ally. Endurance racing blends the two into a human art form. I believe in Conner.
Trawlercat is in his usual fine form of consistent enthusiasm! The WET DOG Alaska racer is probably experiencing a mere hiccup to our exploration today, while he aims for the Bering Sea and beyond. You don’t know anything about Endurance until you read the PWCoffshore Gunz Racer ‘Scribe work’ on his chronicled adventures. He’s as steady as them come.

There is so much talent here. As I was racing I think about how many hours Belton, Vanick, Gerner, Carreon, Pham, Roque, Phan, Bushong, and every other racer out here combined has underway? How many nautical miles have been navigated? The level of expertise at this event is powerful. What is the total value of this mutual passion of endurance racers? I pull pas the Sea Tow boat on a sharp port side turn at speed, it feels good to finish, I circle back to see if everything is A-ok, I get the all clear sign. ESPN Dave in on board and the scorekeepers who receive no glory, I notice them and I’m thankful for their service. Taylor motors over as we head for fuel and we chat after a while, I head over to the fuel dock, it’s crowded and slow. I go back to the Sea Tow boat and get the report, 2 boats down, one 8 miles out. I exhale, it is too bad, and help is with them, this is great news.

I wait for RXT USMC to arrive at the finish and he comes as soon as I look up. He’s looking great for his first race! Imagine your first race is to Catalina, that’s awesome! And he wasn’t alone! We motor over to the fuel dock. Everyone fuels and hold back, I’ll be the last boat to come home, and I’m his wingman or vice versa.

I keep my promise and bring in over 30 balloons. Pretty soon, Mike realizes I’m not completely crazy and I see him breaking balloons and stowing them on board. It is a good thing to do. Next time you are out, remember, just picking up one piece of trash is a good habit, share the news and if everyone participates, we win big as stewards of our own lives. When I get back to the dock, Kim Bushong comes over and shows me the bouquet of balloons he picked up! I’m not only amazed, I am inspired by Kim. My 5 year old Shaniah thinks I brought them for her. What a cheap mom I am, but heck, recycling!

Today belonged to Pat Roque and Lee Phan. Pat held the lead but navigation continues to plague all of us, their times would have been faster I bet if they had been on target. It is hard to imagine besting 37 minutes, that’s a mile a minute! I’m so blown away by these guys; they can even afford a mistake and still blow the field out of the water! That’s insane! Racing isn’t fair, boats break, bodies can break down and worse yet, your mindset can cripple you. The hardest place is last place. Any champion that is used to taking a win, and not getting close, suffers in confidential spirited spin. It’s hard not to stay on top all the time. I look around at the field of champions; there is only one winner with a #1 on their finish.
My friend Darrick Doerner always reminds me of the ‘Ride after the Ride’. How true this spells out in many dimensions! Saying goodbye to my friends, shaking the energy of the day behind and its only lunchtime mind you, there is still a full day ahead of us to enjoy! I text Ahmed to check up on him, leave Mark a thank you call, and text back to Minnesota or Wisconsin, not sure which, and touch bases for the second time with David Puu. David’s rule is every time I go offshore, I am to call him. He has good reasons for this and I am thankful he cares enough about me to stand with me on my own personal safety. Something we should all take notice of. Thank you for being my friend David. It is a big ocean.

Never Forget Jeremy Hoyland.

Tonight when I’m sorting through my photos, the faces, the smiles and the expressions are what I appreciate the most. The defeats and disappointments prove more for a greater field of water warriors, I know, I see it. But what this does is it brings out excellence from our core. Disappointment and failure are the best measures for motivation I can comprehend.
This inaugural event will prove to be a precursor for the LB2CAT. Those who don’t have the fastest boats will dominate when the ocean comes alive, and the tide will turn. This is the rollercoaster of life; it’s all about environmental timing. Those are the dice some of us need to roll at the expense of a fully modified boat. And that is what makes this kind of racing fascinating. There are vast levels of experience and talent. Every race will throw those truths out as evidence.

Stay tuned for the LB2CAT. You ain’t seen nothing yet!

Thank you to my supports and RPM sponsors: Kawasaki Motors Corporation USA, Dana Point Jet Ski, Sea Doo, Sea Tow, Liquid Militia, My loved ones, RPM Racing, PWCoffshore.com, R&D, Hydro Turf, OTB Boots, Betty Belts, Mustang Survival, Hypnotic Films, K38 GEAR, Gath, Robert Carreon for the trailer, our PWCoffshore race family and Southern California Watercraft Club, AWA, Aaron Cress and Steve Friebe. Our United States Marine Corps, God Bless America and please read the US Constitution. I’m going to bed.
www.DavidPuu.com
www.PWCoffshore.com
www.LiquidMilitia.com
www.socalwatercraftclub.com

Photo Albums
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