Team QB... Pinch Pinch

While cleaning up my desktop on my computer and organizing all of my files (sort of) I came across this blog entry that I didn't post!  Let's just say life has only gotten better since this crazy amazing adventure I was on...  and it keeps on keepin on!
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Yesterday was just like every other Tuesday.  Wake up early, walk the dog, battle in my mind weather I should paddle before work, after work or go play in the water and do what I like to call, my mermaid yoga.  I came to the conclusion that a swim was in order for me when I was done with work.  Well, I was wrong.  I got a call from Steve Cole asking me if I’d like to paddle Catalina.  I stuttered trying to get the words out then took a breath and without really thinking, said with a cheesy ass giggle grin, “sure, when is it?”   

“This weekend, you have to get a ticket for tomorrow,” Steve said with what I can only explain as a “you’re doing this” calm tone to his voice.

I trust Steve and his judgment on an opportunity like this!

I’ll cut out all the details of my night and what it consisted of, but I was up until 0430 making sure everything was taken care of at the house, Zoe (the dog) had a place to stay while I was gone, tickets, rides, etc.  Brewed a press of coffee and was “Ona Mish!”  I am my mother’s daughter, drinking a pot of coffee at 0200!  I wasn’t going to let anything get in my way of me not going to race.  Cold water!  Well, colder water, a change of scenery, new people and what will hopefully help me grow as a paddler.  Oh, the excitement!

So, here I am on the plane almost to San Jose… cheap flight, what can I say.  I have a heap of Pacific Paddler Magazines to keep me company and to look at and learn from.  I was just reading about the 15th Moloka’i Hoe (Oct 2010 issue) in ’66 with swells up to 20 ft. and gusts at around 30 mph.  The epic challenge those 12 canoes and the men that paddled them had to go through.  A Koa canoe was snapped in two while another Koa canoe was overtaken by the water and towed back to Moloka’i.  Reading that article did probably the opposite to me as it would to any normal person.  It lit a fire in me.  I got excited.  All fired up. With paddling, it’s not hard for me.  That grin came creeping back to my face.  I want to charge those waves; I want to be in that canoe!  I am probably delusional and that’s probably what most Novice paddlers go through.  Who knows what’ll happen when it does, guess I’ll just have to find out.

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Here I am now, in Costa Mesa.  I had no patience for my 12-hour layover in San Jose, so I rented a car… a sweet deal I might add, and drove the 6 something hours to LAX where I met up with Steve and Jimmy J.  Dropped off the car, jumped in with the boys and off we went to Newport Beach. 

We finally made it to Jimmy T’s shop and I made out with a pillow… HARD CORE!  So tired and come to find out after calling to cancel my flight… it was already cancelled and I got a wee bit of a refund.  Not holding my breath on that one!

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After taking my sweet nap, Jimmy J, Steve and I went to the Newport Aquatic Center to get our paddle on and practice with the men.  The boys put me as stroker and let’s just say, the Mirage canoe… not made for childbearing hips!  We finished off the night at the Wild Goose in Costa Mesa for some carb loading and headed back to Quickblade Headquarters for a rope-climbing race between Jimmy T and I.  He beat me by a second, which in my mind is great because I never was able to do that!

The following day we met the rest of the team and went out in the bay to do water changes with everyone seeing as some had never done a water change.  A water change is used in long distance races when you have 9 or 10 paddlers.  An escort boat follows beside the canoe of 6 paddlers and yells for changes or 2-4 paddlers.  Example: 1,2 and 4.  The escort boat drops off the paddlers, in order with correct spacing allowed between seats, 4,2,1.  When 4 is at the bow (front) of the canoe the jump out at the same time and 4,2,1 hop in to their seats and paddle.  Paddles stay in canoe.  Let just say, it was fun practicing changes.  The girls… awesome!  The rest of the team… friggin WOW!  Meeting the crew was like meeting old buds!  I love them all so damn much!

Here’s an article about each of them to read if you want…  Team QB Blog  Chris Aguilar, by the way, you are an awesome man with such a vivid, right on, vision of perfection!  His work is righteous and a talent that I feel many people should keep their eye on!  Love you dude, you rock!!! 

Here's a video of the event that Chris put together.  Seriously, this gets me so pumped every time I watch it!  Team QB Video

I will leave you with photos... let them tell the rest of the story.  Chris has got some great ones on his blog... So great!!!  

Now go out there, get inspired and get wet!

Jimmy T and Steve reviewing Steve's stroke at Jimmy's "Fun House for Big Kids"  AKA Quickblade Headquarters

Paddler down... Jimmy J, not feelin' so hot

Team QB in the lead!  The Unlimited not far behind us

Clarence our Escort boat driver, Jimmy J, Chris and Jamie on the stern

Yup

Always sharing

I love this pic!  Anik used this paddle, it's a 52... that paddle is now mine!  I'm a foot+ to her!  Anik is a BULL!

On the ferry headed home!
Steve, Jimmy T and Jimmy J.  I love you and can never thank you for your awesomeness!

Bloodies anyone?

Love love love

I love these birds so much!  Great humor, great passion and all around amazing.  If you are ever in Tahoe... go check em out! Watermans Landing  Great name too ehh??

Jamie, Myself, Anik, Jay Jimmy J in the back
Chris and Jimmy T in the front!
The best group...

Transit

The after after party outside the Kona Brewing truck!  Steve, Myself, Mindy Clark and Jimmy J
Mindy is a wonderful, bright spirit of a being!  What a hoot!

Dinner at Jimmy T and Lizzie's Casa

Anik and I with the Terrell monkeys... Addie and Sydney