Olukai 2015

[headmount]

These Olukai races have grown in popularity since they started.  I've only missed racing one year when I jumped on the back of a jetski and took video of the race.  But racing is so much more fun.  This is a short run compared to what we normally do (7 vs. 10miles) so saving any energy for the end is out of the question.  Everyone will be hammering from the start.  For guys like Cove and Southbay the distance is just a warm up compared to the distance they just did crossing to Molokai.  Cove just did an incredible write up about his experience on FB.  Hope he reprints it here.

These race events are chock full of tremendous athletes and it's great thrill to just be in the same ballpark with them.  Experience on the run is a big help but it's all I have.  Power is limited by a memo about HR redline that keeps getting sent up to the ego center.  It reads, have fun but don't push into A-fib.  Monitor often reads above 160 with spikes over 170.  My mathematical redline being 155.  Don't mind extending over a little but probably not wise to ride the limit. 

Funny-strange how downwinding in strong wind gets HR much higher than just a flat water grunt paddle.  My flat water rate hovers around 130-145 but that seems so much more difficult.  I think the high rate in strong winds is a result of the excitement factor, gliding and trying to extend the glide, for that is where the differences are often made.

[PonoBill]

Only thing I'm worried about is the run. I played in the surf at Ho'okipa yesterday and it hosed my knee--like it needed help. I'll probably just DQ and paddle to the finish, as if it matters.

[covesurfer]

Yikes, I forgot about that run! It is 300 yards I think. In the sand. Better do a bit of jogging this week to prep or I blow up an achilles!

Forecast is looking good for trade winds. If it blows, it will be a better experience for everyone and will be a big advantage for the local guys. Fingers are crossed. I haven't looked today but from what I read, there's a big assed NNE swell rolling in right now. It will probably completely fade by the weekend but with the new course design, requiring a buoy rounding just downwind of Upper Kanaha, it could be interesting if there is any swell. Lots of people are coming, I'm really glad the wind looks like it will attend as well.

[Southbay]

Attached a map of the finish.  SUP is in Orange.  I think I'd rather paddle upwind for a bit than run that 300 yards in the sand....  We should probably do a Kanaha run or two this week.  The placement of that buoy is pretty critical as to what reef we are going to run over/around.

[PonoBill]

I'm not doing the run, I'll be wearing a knee brace as it is. I don't run unless someone has a knife. I routinely get passed in the little BOP run, while I slowly waddle up the chute. No worries, most of my competition is either way past me or way behind me. It would be funny to get in a fast walk duel with another geezer though. I'd just stick my paddle through the wheels of his walker.

[starman]

Maybe time for a new knee.

[PonoBill]

I've got an appointment with the knee doc the day after I get back to Hood River. They'll probably juice me up again. Lasts for about eight months. I need to make sure I go again just before we head back to Maui, that's how I screwed up this year. It felt fine when I first got here, but I stretched the time between lube jobs a bit too far. I hope they decide I still have tread on the tire. I want to have a full-on year in the gorge, not be hobbling around.

[starman]

I got tired of taking pain pills before and after trips to the water and the issues you are now having. Got a new knee in Sept and was surfing 6 weeks later. It's has a lot to do with the surgeon you select.

[headmount]

If I could carry PBill I would but I'll need something with wheels.   

But better yet would be to get a run exemption from the race guys.  Tell'em you'll come in where everyone else does and then paddle along the beach.  They'll let you.  We'll shame them if they don't.  They'd definitely look like pricks denying you that.  I'll lobby for you as it won't look good to do so yourself.

[Southbay]

Checking www.mauiweathertoday.com and the race report looks pretty fun. 

SATURDAY
Sunny and breezy. Highs 78 to 85. Northeast winds 15 to 25 mph.

SUNDAY
Sunny. Isolated showers in the morning. Highs 78 to 85. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 30 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.

Is Kelly running the Kanaha shuttle now?  Maybe we can do two Kanaha runs tomorrow?  Wind looks really good tomorrow....


I am doing the both races, and having the SUP race on the windier day, is obviously what you would want!  Hope it holds, and hope my wife can hold the baby in one more week!

[PonoBill]

The nw groundswell is supposed to drop pretty fast--good thing. Thursday is 8-10 at Kanaha, by Saturday it's supposed to be 1 foot. Hope they got that right.

[JF808]

you guys will really be in your element if the wind is gonna be good!

I actually wasn't gonna do the race this year, work is so crazy for me right now. I haven't been on my board in months!!!  But when I heard the wind was gonna produce... pulled some strings and made it happen. Gonna be a short (and expensive) weekend trip for me from the BI. I show up to Olukai because it's a two for one specail with the OC1 day following the SUP day, and we've always had marginal conditions, always fun, but nothing hair raising... I hope this weekend produces!!!! Either way I love coming to Maui for this event... probably need to call in sick on monday for some rest though. Taking my paddles on the plane with me... I hope they survive the trip. I'd be pissed to find find a broken trifecta when I land on Maui

[Southbay]

Does this mean you found a boat for Sunday?!?  You are due for a good Maui race!  See you soon JF808

[JF808]

Yea, I found a boat to use for sunday! super stoked a good friend pulled some strings with a gal @ HCC. I'm overdue Southbay!!!!   OC1 race... then fly out at 3:40

[Off-Shore]

Boards are still available from SIC Maui factory. 

So tempting to register and just get on a plane, and do this race, but flights from where I am, are around 15+ hours USD2,500 + hotel + hire car + board hire + race registration +++ and so not much change out of USD3,500... This is seriously prohibitively expensive for 1 race and maybe a couple of runs... No Can Do..

So I'm planning for next year with more time as this is on the bucket list. I guess that people who go out to only do the SUP race must spend some time pre race doing a bunch of runs to get familiar, and practice. What would you think is the optimum in terms of time # runs etc to plan for as a 1st timer and mid-experienced downwinder? Ie come out 4 days before and plan to do one run per day (conditions permitting), race and leave on day 6?