There was some epic drama to this event. The weather was one factor. Now to put on a surf contest you want surf for the competitors but sun for the spectators and sponsors. Pretty much of an oxymoron considering that storms produce waves. We had diminishing waves and warm days up to the contest. Friday the storm came in with a swell you had to have taro cards to predict the pattern. Saturday it came on full force to the tune of “Can we hold the Circus Tent Down, Nelly?” We delayed the contest for 2 hours to see if anything improved. Many thought to cancel, quoting 30 foot swells and gale force winds were on the way. Calmer minds prevailed and the contest turned to 10 to 15 foot swells out of the west with sunny skis.

I think one of the most redeeming things was the younger faction moving into the event. We had a quantity of great juniors who attacked the waves lead by Alex Blum of Berkeley and Diane Gaydos of Cupertino. There were also the families of perennial kayakers that brought their kids to the event: Russ Sturges of Otter Bar, Robby Sadler son of Eric on the US West Team, Galen Licht son of Sea Treks Bob Licht, also on the US Team. The contest and sport has reached a certain level of maturity in that there were us old guys, juniors, and a mid range of 20/30 something’s that were significant this year. This latter group can be type cast by Rusty Sage. He’s been in the event since he was 13. He has had potential but has never quit shown in this contest. He’s gone on to become one of the best show kayakers in the world. Flew in from Africa the day of the US West Team Trials in San Simian and made the team. Was in the final of the most prestigious event, Expert Men’s High Performance, with the best old timer in the world Ken King, who is noted for his unrelenting closes in the finals, Sam Drevo of waterfall fame, and Jeff Burlingham, one of our most elegant wave magicians. He won the event with classic Sage style with flips, helixes and cartwheels in the power part of the waves. He accomplished this after his traditional all night party at his pad before night before.

There was an epic battle in the International Men’s final between Dave Johnston and Jim Grossman. The waves were breaking 20 feet at third reef. When they are that big it is difficult to line-up and drop in. Hence the rational for tow-ins in giant swells. Dave who was the World Champion in this event in Brazil in 2001 was replaced by the Grossman’s in the Irish World Championships in 2003. 3rd reef is Dave’s back yard. Just before the start of the finals he paddled to the farthest sight a bomber might break approx a mile from the judges. He simply didn’t care whether the judges could see him, it was his turf. Jim was in hot pursuit. Dave knew exactly where to go, the buzzer went off and as if by providence a mammoth set ensued. Dave was right in place, did a classic drop in his trusty ancient cyclone, went left toward the cliffs and showed the crowd he the Lane is to be handled by any craft. Jim was left with many wipe outs and second place for the effort.

Ken King, undeniably, before the recent arrival of his set of twin girls, was the best surf kayaker in the world, bar none. He has won everything. Ken’s single win was in the Wave Ski Open, against the best that the US could through at him. It is only appropriate that this was Ken’s favorite class when he started the event 20 years ago.

Results are available. Full heat breakdowns/day are be available on www.jmh.com

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