I signed up for this downwind race having never done a downwind from Point A to Point B on a paddleboard before, I had only done it on a surfski kayak. I was stoked to get experience in “bigger” water to prepare for future races in the ocean. I practiced for the race by going out in every kind of condition. I mean, the windiest, waviest conditions possible. I mostly did paddle outs into the headwind/waves and then turning around to ride the bumps back in which is a delightful reward after a battle into a strong headwind. I felt somewhat prepared!
My new husband and I were gawking at the colourful autumn foliage the entire drive up to ile d’Orleans, it made the 11 hour trip a little easier. We stayed with the group of SUP/OC1/Surfski athletes competing in the event at a cottage that felt like a giant sleepover.
Day 1 was the Technical race. Beach start, turning right around the pier, paddling into the waves, left around a buoy, a little downwind back, left around a buoy and paddling broadside to the waves back to the beach for a sprint finish. 1200m total, this short distance was right up my alley as a seasoned sprint canoe/kayaker. There were 7 ladies competing so we did the heat and the final all together which made for a fun, competitive beach start. I always started off 2nd or 3rd and then gradually powered ahead in the headwind. I think the training in terrible conditions helped! I played it safe and didn’t pivot turn around the buoy so I didn’t fall in but in the final my SUP friend Wendy Tillet who was in 2nd place almost caught me because I got swept away from not turning sharply enough! I had to hustle and almost fell onto my board, almost completely squandering my lead. I got to the beach and picked up my board, sprinting without looking back because I knew she was close, almost breathing down my neck. I took the win for the technical and felt really proud! When Wendy crossed the line she came up to me saying “I almost had you!!!” and we had a good laugh.
Everyone at the event was so welcoming and supportive. We all cheered each other on and became instant friends. There’s always a great vibe at SUP events.
Day 2: The 12km downwind race. All autumn I had been mentally preparing myself for a 22km downwind but the conditions called for a 12km downwind against the current, with the wind and waves. It felt fast and fun but looking at my pace on the GPS it was very slow. I was grateful they didn’t call for 22km because it would have taken me almost 4 hours to complete!
We had another beach start and about 300m into the waves to a buoy in the middle of the St. Lawrence River. I knew my strength was paddling into the waves because my Infinity Blackfish board felt like it just sailed effortlessly over the waves like butter. I decided I’d use this chance to get as far ahead as possible before the other competitors caught up to me on the downwind because I knew that was their strength. This was their backyard where they practice downwinds all the time. My lead lasted a couple minutes before I started getting passed by others sailing down the river catching every bump. We were all having so much fun riding the swells you could hear “weee”s and whoops all over the place. It was a party out there! I knew downwinding was a skill I needed to work on, but a fun one and I felt like I was improving the whole time. After a few minutes I was in 4th place and felt like we had been paddling for a while, about 3-4km. I looked down at my watch and it had only been 1.8km. Another 10+km to go! I looked at the pace and it shocked me, over 11 minutes per km. I decided the only way I’d have a chance at this race is to paddle as hard as I could in between rides and hope that my fitness would give me an edge.
Racing on the St. Lawrence River was intimidating to say the least with all the ocean liners going down the river. Thankfully there was a clear set of buoys to mark their channel and we had to stay out of it, but that didn’t stop the wake from those massive ships from reaching us. I felt extremely stable on the 24.5″ Infinity Blackfish which is more board than I needed but gave me the peace of mind knowing that I was not likely to fall in. I was having the rides of my life until an ocean liner passed and gave me some nice cross directional waves which turned my downwind into a washing machine. But I paddle in a washing machine called Lake Ontario every day so this was nothing.
At 6km I caught up to another competitor as they looked to be getting very hot and tired. I, too, was roasting in my Vaikobi neoprene and I compensated by drinking extra water and pretending it was mid-summer. At 7km I noticed I was starting to gain on my friend Wendy. She had encouraged me to do the race and kicked my butt in Kincardine at the Ontario SUP Series. I fell in the water at least 12 times during that race, but have since grown better sea legs. With 5km to go I kept hammering my paddle in the water to get closer and closer. When we reached the final buoy I was about 75-100m behind Wendy and watched her take a really wide turn and get blown away, the same thing that had happened to me the the day before. Determined to catch up I went for a pivot turn to cut closer to the pier. Next to the pier instead of side chop I had tiny little 2cm waves pushing me to the shore. I sprinted like I was in a 200m race, getting closer and closer. Wendy jumped off her board onto the beach and a few strokes later I jumped off mine and sprinted to the finish. I was SO CLOSE! I ran right past the finish, ducked my head into my wooden carved participation medal given by a volunteer and jumped onto Wendy, shaking her and laughing “I ALMOST GOT YOU!” She looked so stunned from the exhaustion of the race and having to sprint to the finish. She is an amazing competitor, it was fun chasing her down.
My first SUP downwind was a success and I look forward to seeing all the now familiar faces next year and for even bigger bumps to ride!
