Thursday, September 29, 2011

raffle winners announced!!!

If you bought a raffle ticket at any of our events this summer, you may be a lucky winner!  Watch the video to see if you won.  I will be contacting all the winners by email or phone in the next week or so to arrange delivery of your prize.  Thanks to everyone who bought tickets... all proceeds go directly to our two great charities!



If you've been watching the countdown timer, you know that I'll be heading to Maui in just a few days.  I'll try to post an update once in a while during our trip.  The conditions look great with wind and a solid swell building as we speak.  Wish me safe travels, and I'll see you on the water when I get back.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

the big paddle

     With a clear weather forecast, we headed out for the 50-mile Windy City Waterman Stand Up for Charity Paddle early in the morning on September 11th.  Check out the photos and captions, then I'll give you the play-by-play at the end...
We launched just at sunrise, a few minutes after 6am.  This is Dimitry gliding across the early morning glass.
Here's a shot of the Harrison-Dever Crib with the Chicago skyline about 3-miles away behind it.  It was approaching noon when we made it to the Crib, about 20 miles into the paddle.  This marked the beginning of the toughest part of the day, paddling into headwind and chop for 10 miles to the South Shore Turnaround.

There was no stopping on the South leg - with the wind on the nose, any rest would have meant giving up headway as you drifted back towards the city.  Once I finally hit the waypoint, I sat down and took a minute to shoot this photo.  See that grey smudge in the middle of the frame?  That the Chicago skyline, now 10 miles distant.
I didn't take any more pics or video on the way back up, but our ground crew was ready with their  cameras as we rounded the breakwall and came into Greenwood beach.

The Lake even graced me with a little wave to ride in on...  What can I say, she likes me.

"We made it!"

Our landing party was all smiles, and I was too.    Once we got back on land both Dimitry and I were dizzy with reverse-seasickness.  Our bodies had adjusted to the motion of the boards after paddling all day and now standing on solid ground threw off our equilibriums.  Funny.
Alfonso was struttin' his Windy City Waterman t-shirt.  I still have a few left, so if you want one email me.  All proceeds from the t-shirt sales go straight to our two awesome charities!   
Dimitry and I cooled off with a quick dip...
... then we loaded up the boards as the full moon rose and headed to our favorite joint for a big burger.  Oh, you know that tasted soooooooo good.
     If I had to sum up the day in a phrase, it would be, "Everything worked."  Not very dramatic, I know.  I should probably make up some reality-tv BS to make it all sound harrowing, but that's just not how it went down, and I'm happy to say so.  

     Don't get me wrong, it's not that it wasn't hard... it was.  The section on the south shore was killer.  It took me about three hours to do that ten miles and it was the longest paddle of my life.  With 20 miles already behind me, I was seriously fatigued, my hands were starting to blister, my knees were hurting and my feet were tingling.  I had to dig deep for each paddle stroke and the only thing that kept me from plopping down on my butt was the thought that if I stopped paddling I would begin drifting backwards and have to paddle that same water AGAIN!  Besides that, I knew that once I hit the turnaround waypoint I'd have the wind at my back for the rest of the day, and when I did hit it, it felt really good.

     And if "Everything Worked" on Sunday, it was the efforts of the whole summer that got me there.  All the training, everything I learned about fitness and nutrition, all the hours spent on the board working on agility and balance... all of it came together to get me to my goal.  Every aspect of my skill as a paddleboarder was tested on Sunday.  There were upwind stretches that demanded power, downwind sections where catching bumps and surfing was critical.  There was side chop and chaotic boat wake that had the board bucking like a wild pony, testing my balance and focus.  There was the sheer distance, challenging my endurance.  Still, I was happy and optimistic every bit of the way because I had done it all in my training.

     The one thing I hadn't done in training was actually paddle that far, or for that duration of time.  Of course I believed that I could do it, but there were other factors to consider, like nutrition.  I had been using Infinit Nutrition, a powder that you mix with water and drink during whatever activity you're doing.  Infinit is custom formulated for you by a nutritionist specifically for you and your activity.  I had been using my blend for a month or so with good results, but I had never used it as my food for a whole day of non-stop paddling.  I was a little worried about bonking, so I loaded my drybag with a bunch of Cliff Bars just in case.  There was no need... the Infinit worked fantastically and I was energized and feeling good all day.  This stuff really works!  If you're an endurance athlete in any sport, I definitely recommend it (and they are not a sponsor... That's just the testimonial of a happy customer).

     Still, even with all my training and good results with the Infinit, by the end of the day I was crushed.  And I mean, CRUSHED.  Everything hurt.  I was feeling dizzy with the reverse-seasickness.  At dinner I was even talking slowly, my mind and mouth taking their sweet time forming words and sentences.  Sheer exhaustion.  But to my shock, I woke up Monday morning feeling fantastic.  I was a little sore in my legs and shoulders, but not any more than I would be the day after a big workout or windsurf day.  I guess my training was on target, and I immediately started thinking of the possibilities of doing even bigger paddles.  The future is looking bright... so many adventures ahead!

     So, I guess that's it.  It's been an amazing summer.  I've learned a ton.  I've pushed myself and achieved a significant goal in my fitness and skill on the water.  I've met a TON of amazing people.  I raised a bunch of money for some great charities.  I'd say that the Windy City Waterman project has been an overwhelming success.  I'm really looking forward to next year, and another chance to grow this amazing sport.  I already have some ideas formulating for a Windy City Waterman event that is more inclusive, getting people of all skill levels out on the water.  I'll keep you posted as things come together, but if anyone has any ideas or wants to help, email me and let me know.

     Before I go, I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who stepped up to sponsor and help this summer.  First and foremost, Charlie at Pacific Boardsports and Naish International for boards and paddles.  Al and Sue at Lake Effect Marketing for building the WCW website.  The whole crew at Windward Boarshop.  Gary at Paddleboard Specialists.  Kaenon Sunglasses, Headhunter Sunblock, Moosejaw and everyone who donated prizes for our raffle.  And THANKS to all of you who have read the blog, offered advice and encouragement, and especially to those of you who told me, "Damn, you're crazy."  That meant a lot.  I'll still be paddling until the water freezes, so get out your wetsuit and come join me.  See you on the water.  

Sunday, September 11, 2011

wind at our back

With about 30 miles behind us, there's just two more miles into the headwind until we reach the turn. Despite the wind, we're staying pretty much on pace, but looking forward to the tailwind at our backs on the return trip up to the beaches on North Avenue and then Dempster Avenue, where we're expected to land around 6:30pm. Looking forward to seeing our SUP friends in those final miles!

making our way down the shore!

It's just before noon, and the paddlers have reached the Harrison-Dever Crib, heading south to the turn. The report from the water is that everyone is feeling strong and doing great. Check the route map (below), and come out and join us!

perfect way to start the day!

Great conditions and warm water greeted us this morning as we set out on the WCW 50-mile paddle! The North Shore was a little tough, with winds from the west and some side chop along the bluff, but the water is calmer the closer we get to Evanston.

We're expecting to be in Evanston between 8:15 and 8:30 am, on our way down the coast for a total of 30 miles then back up 20 more. Watch for updates around lunchtime, and we'll have ETAs for popular beaches lke North Avenue, Montrose, and our landing spot at Dempster Avenue. Looking forward to seeing some of you paddlers out on the water with us!

Friday, September 9, 2011

wcw paddle is on for THIS SUNDAY!


     OK, here we go... The weather's looking stellar for this Sunday, so the Windy City Waterman Stand Up for Charity Paddle is on!  Unfortunately, Kevin won't be able to join us due to his back injury, but Dimitry and I are all set to undertake the challenge and give it everything we've got.

     As you can see, we've plotted a new 50-mile route, one that takes us along the entire Chicagoland lakefront.  Our original plan was to cross the lake from St. Joseph, Michigan, but somewhere along the way we realized that paddling out in the middle of the lake is, well, kind of anti-social.  With this new route, we can invite paddlers from anywhere along the way to come out and join us for a bit.   If you'd like to come and paddle with us, keep an eye on this blog during the day on Sunday to see when we'll be passing by your local launch.  We'd love to have some company along the way.

     Our plan is to launch at 5:30 AM from Rosewood Beach in Highland Park, paddle south to Evanston, then head offshore to pass outside the Harrison-Dever Crib.  Once we round the crib we'll continue south to around 60th Street, where we'll make a turn and head back north toward our landing spot at Dempster Beach in Evanston.

     I am super excited to be finally getting our big paddle underway.  I hope many of you will come out to paddle with us or join us for our landing on Sunday evening.  As always, THANKS to everyone for your support of the Windy City Waterman project and I hope we've inspired you to push yourself to and beyond your own limits in your paddling or at whatever you do.  See you on the water.

Monday, September 5, 2011

amazing august

     Here on the Great Lakes, August can be amazing... and this year it really was.  While the month typically brings a few North weather systems foreshadowing the coming Fall, this year we had a bunch of them.  Since our epic downwinder on the 15th, we've had a series of great windsurf and surf days... so much so in fact, that I haven't had much time for blogging (sorry).  Last weekend I SUP trained on Friday, enjoyed one of the best windsurfing days in years on Saturday, and SUP surfed on Sunday.  What a weekend!  This week, we ushered in September with the first in a series of big North's that look like they'll continue through the whole week.  We're really living the dream here in Chicago, and I hope everybody is planning on getting out on the water.

In Stand Up For Charity Paddle news, things are still looking good for the big paddle to go down next weekend.  Unfortunately, it doesn't look like Kevin will be making it this time.  He is suffering some torn rhomboid muscles in his back, an injury he amazingly paddled through when he was here on the 14th, but which has worsened since he returned home.   With time running out to get the 50-miler under my belt this season, I don't feel like I can afford to re-schedule again.  The weather is looking favorable for Dimitry and me to do the same run down from Racine that we planned on a few weeks ago, so that's what we're looking at right now.  Expect to see a post in the next day or so with the full plan and schedule.

Sorry, but I haven't had a chance to upload photos or edit video footage, so that's it for now.  I hope everyone had a fun and safe Labor Day weekend.  See you on the water!