Round the Rock? More Like Round the Boulder!

I did it...and it wasn't easy.

My alarm went off at 5:30 AM on Sunday morning and I immediately walked out onto my balcony to see the water.  For now I live in West Seattle, on the top floor of a four story building; so I've got a view of the Sound, but most importantly, a view of the current water conditions.  Thank you, Weather Man. The winds are light and only going to be about 5 mph out of the north today.  For anyone who witnessed last year's RTR race, I think the winds were about 15-20 mph.  Huge props goes out to those finisher from last year.  I had some granola cereal, my standard protein shake, did some stretching, and loaded my car with two Hemel surf class SUPs. One was our old faithful and the other was our new model for 2014 - it was more of a prototype than anything else. Everything was packed and it was time to hele on out the door.

As I was leaving West Seattle, heading over the bridge, I was still looking for little indicators on the wind.  Looking over Harbor Island, then off to Starbucks headquarters - there's a flag on the top.  I'm always looking at those types of markers when I'm by the water.  If it's calm winds, I start to think about glassy surf. I remember once I was camping at Lake Wenatchee and the lake was super calm.  All I could think about was only if there were waves here.

If anyone knows me well enough, they know that I'm very punctual.  I'm rarely late and have been told I'm very reliable.  Hence the reason why I found myself arriving too early to even register at 7 AM. Sheesh, now what?...drink coffee.  The good thing was Lake Washington is calm and I noticed that I scored a perfect parking spot close to the beer garden.  That's right, Kona Brewing was a sponsor this year. 

After I register, I start to see more of my paddling friends show up.  The paddling community is Western Washington is growing at a rapid rate.  There is a definite "aloha spirit" with everyone and it reminds me of a bit like home.  My bud, Ben Sandall who is also a professional photographer showed up to take some shots of the start, he of course had a Seahawks game to watch later.  Ben is one of the top up and coming photographers in Seattle. These next 5 photos are from Ben, so he gets all the credit for the great shots...Thanks Ben!

I got my number...

Walked through the start to trigger my automated timing system that was strapped to my ankle...

Water is a must, so I'm using a camelback.  A lot of paddlers had some type of music device to listen to as well.  For me, of course, and for my first song at the start?  Well it just had to be Motley Crue, Kick Start My Heart...followed by some Motorhead, Pennywise, Beastie Boys, and a ton of other 80's-90's rock.

 Once my gear was set, it was time to head out onto the water and let the fun begin!

As I was paddling out amongst the other paddlers, I started to look around for others who were in my same board class/division. The guys I found had boards just at the regulation mark of 12 feet.  It started to feel like one of those days where you go surfing with a board that's too small for how big the waves are - aka, being under gunned.
Everyone is broken up into division based on age or board class:

• Surfboard Class, boards under 12.2 feet
• Stock Class: 12.6 feet
• 14 foot Class
• SUP Unlimited Class: no length restriction

My board was only 11 feet long...which was the shortest board out there.  I found the other surfboard guys and made note to where they were once we started the race.  All of a sudden an alarm sound goes off and the race has started. "Holy crap!  I had better start paddling!" is what I instantly thought.

Here's a course map - The yellow line is the race route:

Mile 1 - 5: I was feeling pretty good.  A few gaps had been created in the herd of paddlers; you could see the professionals screaming ahead, then the guys who paddle a lot on race boards were next, then my group, then a group trailing.  Once we got past the first of two I-90 underpasses, I started to think pace and strategy. My friend Bobby and owner of Perfect Wave surf shop was on his jet ski volunteering as a water marshal. I remember when I passed him under the bridge he was hooting and cheering me on. Thanks, Braddah.

Mile 6 - 8: After coming around the northern peak of the island and heading south, my body started to shift, I started to get soar in a couple of places - mainly left shoulder and left calf. About three years ago I had major reconstructive surgery on my left shoulder...yeah, 7 dislocations will do that to you.  I started to get my pace going again and I was keeping up with other paddlers in different classes.  I remember I passed this guy paddling on a 14 foot race board and he hollered at me "hey, do you have one of those jet boards?!"  I just laughed and kept grinding out a fast pace.  If I saw a paddler in front of me fall-in due to boat wakes and fatigue, I would go at them hard and try to make up some space between us.

Mile 9 - 12: This is where I hit a wall.  I swear I thought I was pulling a car tire behind me. Going around the south end of Mercer Island seemed endless.  Our whole group would go around a bend and think the finish was going to be in site.  When it wasn't, you could hear this guy groan "arghh" and he'd keep going.  I had to chuckle a bit. The newer model Hemel I was paddling was the lightest we've ever produced - Under 25lbs. The 3 stage rocker allows it to glide faster on flat water.  But at that point, I couldn't tell.  However, no one was passing me, so I must be keeping a decent pace.  I changed my stroke at this point to more of a short and quick style vs. the longer strokes.  I wanted my paddle blade in the water as many times as possible.  I remember trying to catch this guy paddling on a longer board and I was doing two or three strokes to his one.  And I still couldn't catch the guy!

Mile 12 - 13: "Thank the lucky stars, I can see the finish line!  Put everything behind you and go!  Paddle and let's get this over with."  I thought I yelled that, but I was just thinking it in my head.  Locking my eyesight on the nose of my board helped; then I started to count my strokes for each side.  1..2..3..4 Hut.5.Hoe & switch.  The phrase "Hut, Hoe" is from outrigger paddling.  The #2 seat calls the timing on switching from side to side.  I guess I was using those days to get me in a good stride.  I made it: 3 hours & 2 mins.

As I'm coming in to finish, I notice to my complete surprise, my lovely 9 year old daughter, Olivia, there on the water line cheering and screaming "go daddy go!"  To be honest, I almost lost it.  I don't see my daughter much, and to catch her in the crowd of people cheering made me feel like a million dollars.  I jumped off my board and ran through the finish line to get the best prize ever:

A HUGE hug from Olivia

I was overwhelmed with emotion.  To conquer this course was a major milestone for me personally.  I had been through a lot of stuff emotionally leading up to this race, and this was the perfect way to say "hey, braddah, you can do anything you put your mind to".  

Later I found out that I placed 1st in my division. I went and found all the other surfboard class paddlers and congratulated each of them for completing the race.  There wasn't as many as the other classes, but I think we proved something that day. And no way was I doing this for a trophy, but it was a cool way to finish.  Plus I got "Cool Dad" points from my daughter. 

Tara, who paddled for Hemel on the 3 mile course got 2nd place in her division. It was great for her to walk away with some goodies as well. Go Tara!








The 2013 RTR race was an event I'll never forget, and you better believe I'm doing it again next year, just maybe on a longer Hemel Board this time.  A big mahalo to everyone who helped and encouraged me to finish this race.  Friends and loved ones are what makes me tick. As I was getting my trophy/coffee mug, this woman who I must have passed on the water said they had never seen someone paddle so hard with such a smile on their face.  Live Aloha.  That's all I can say.

-Shane