Dolphin Race results

CLICK HERE for complete Dolphin Race results, including Harbor Seal Sprint and Family Tandem events!

Dolphin Race update!

Three members of the CWC race committee paddled the 9 mile Dolphin course on Sunday 8/2 and want to announce changes that we believe will make this race safer and a lot more fun.

The course has been partially reconfigured, primarily because of observed heavy kelp conditions and low tide hazards around Carmel Point. In addition, the course has been simplified, reducing the number of required buoy turns. Basically, we changed the course for safety and, as a bonus, achieved greater simplicity. Click on the map for details, and scroll down for additional race information.

Racers can pre-register online at active.com: http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1772775

And we have some recommendations for you racers as well...

Once you make a left shoulder turn at Point Lobos and are heading East toward Monastery Beach, line up for the eucalyptus grove on the left of the monastery, and head to the buoy. Click photo for better view.

Lastly, we spotted quite a few jellies and sea nettles along various parts of the course. In order that nobody suffers a painful sting, NON-WEB GLOVES will be permitted for this race.

Congratulations Moloka'i racers

The CWC wants to congratulate all of our friends who completed the Moloka'i race this past weekend... a massive feat of strength, endurance and ocean savvy that takes paddleboarders from the sand of Moloka'i, 32 miles across open water to the island of Oahu.

Honolulu's Kanesa Duncan paddled to another victory in the women's division with a time of 6 hours, 29 minutes, 29 seconds. It was her seventh Moloka'i title in nine years. The CWC was fortunate to meet her on a visit to Carmel in early July and log some fun miles with her. (scroll down for story)

Our bros at the Ghostryder's Waterman's Club in Santa Cruz—Zach Wormhoudt, Mike Dilloughery, and Jeff Denholm—also crossed the Kaiwi channel successfully in their first attempt, and turned in respectable times. They are an inspiration to all of us and we hope to host them here in Carmel at the upcoming Dolphin Race on August 9th.

The Moloka'i to Oahu racers answer the call of the Kaiwi channel, typically paddling through raging currents and rough waters whipped up by trade winds. Sunday's conditions were no exception, even knocking 8X men's champ Jamie Mitchell off his board in one instance.

First annual Dolphin Race in Carmel, Aug 9th

On May 30th, long-time Carmel resident and active waterman Brian Mullen met with a small group of surfers and paddlers at the 13th Street cove and the Carmel Waterman's Club was born. The goals: build a waterman's community on the Monterey Peninsula, promote ocean activities, and help local organizations like the Monterey Junior Lifeguards.

Brent Allen—a local consultant to athletes around the world and organizer for such events as the Swim From Alcatraz—offered his expertise and assistance. With a few more paddleboarders and friends, a small race committee was formed and the CWC will hold the inaugural ‘Dolphin Race’ on August 9th 2009.

The 9 mile Dolphin Race honors the memories Ryan Field and Alex Robbins, two well-loved local surfers who left the lineup much too soon. The course takes paddlers on a technical, scenic tour of local landmarks as they race for prizes and glory, from the start at Carmel Beach, to Stillwater Cove, the legendary Ghost Tree, across the deep water Carmel Canyon to Point Lobos, Monestary Beach, Carmel River State Beach and finally back to the start.

Additionally, there will be 2 mile ‘short course’ and the Harbor Seal Sprint... a fun, short distance designed for kids.

Racers can pre-register online at active.com: http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1772775

Contact coach Brian Mullen for inquiries, information, or to contribute to the event: bamsurf@sbcglobal.net

Come join us for the race, or to simply enjoy a day at the beach we all love.

Kanesa Duncan paddles with the CWC

Brian Mullen hadn’t heard for sure. But the call came and, yes, we were going for a paddle with none other than Kanesa Duncan. Six-time women’s champion in the 32-mile race from Moloka‘i to O‘ahu and holder of the women’s record in that race’s history. 
 
Kanesa, Brian, and Mike McDaniel put in at Stillwater Cove. I put in at Carmel’s Ocean Avenue and met them as they began. It was looking to be a sunny evening paddle in pure glass. Brian suggested what none of us dared attempt alone: paddle straight across into Whaler’s Cove, which we did. 
 
We paddled and talked, paddled and talked, passed Carmel Point, paddled and talked, paddled and talked, crossed over the deep canyon between, and came to an astonishing sight: Whaler’s Cove bathed in evening sunlight, as viewed from its entrance by sea. Absolutely magical. Gasps all around. Mike’s camera came out, pictures were taken. We paddled back, but only after lingering. 
 
Kanesa is down-to-earth, easy to be around, and fun to paddle with. The light became even richer as we returned to Stillwater Cove. We said goodnight, and I started back for Ocean Avenue. Then I looked at the cliffs at the cove’s eastern border, and I noticed a faint lace of light slowly crawling over the cliffs, a reflection off the waves slowly rolling through the cove. I just had to stop and stare. It was unreal—a night I won’t forget.

Paddling rewarded us with both camaraderie and unsurpassable scenery. And the paddle itself was pure pleasure. All reasons each of us paddles.

Mike Jones / CWC member

CWC makes waves at the 'Jay Race'

  
  

The Carmel Waterman's Club hit the 8th annual Jay Moriarity Paddleboard Race in Santa Cruz on Saturday, and did a fine job representing the Southern tip of the Monterey Bay against a lot of very fast Santa Cruz and SoCal racers. Veteran paddler/surfer Mike Jones of Carmel found himself on the podium with a trophy, taking 3rd place in the 14' division with a time of 2 hours, 23 minutes and change.

Fellow Carmelero and CWC coach Brian Mullen chased Jones the whole race—12 miles, from New Brighton Beach to Santa Cruz, out to sea, and back—and came in only 5 seconds behind him for a very respectable 4th place finish in his first ever race on a 14' paddleboard. Pebble Beach's Mike McDaniel, racing an 18' board, came in exhausted sometime later and announced "Blue Gatorade doesn't agree with my finely tuned system. Lack of training has nothing to do with my result. It's Blue Gatorade's fault."

  

CWC getting started

The Carmel Waterman's Club met for the first time on Saturday May 30th. The dozen people that showed up with only 2 days notice were very enthusiastic. An events schedule will be out on Wednesday of each week.

Volunteer help is needed. Wet suits and boards are already being donated since Saturday. Join us, and pitch in where you can. This club is going to be led and controlled by the waterman in our community, not by a single coach. You guys are in charge. I trust your suggestions and efforts will make this all come together.

See you at the beach.

Brian Mullen