Lolo’s Maiden Voyage & 1st Run with the GoPro

Lori brought out Lolo (Lori’s new oc1) for the first time.

She didn’t huli her (but Yonnie did).  The conditions were perfect for a first time oc1 paddler.  The dolphins and seals were out in force to greet Lolo.

I also tried out my GoPro camera for the first time.  I rigged it on my front iaku.  Unfortunately, the camera ran out of memory before we got into the open ocean.  All I got was some footage of our very mellow warmup.  I wasn’t able to get footage of the oc6, the many dolphins and seals that were popping up all over the place, or Chuck drafting between my hull and ama.

Next time, I’ll use a bigger memory card!

Props go out to Chrystal and Lori for their time trial around Naples Island.  Two very strong ladies – LARD is lucky to have them!

They Aren’t as Poor as You Think They Are

I picked up a Macbook for Vi this past week from the Apple Store right around the corner from my office in Old Town Pasadena.

As I was heading back to my office and waiting for the crosswalk to turn green, I noticed a dude sitting down holding and jiggling a cup with coins in it – a panhandler looking for money to buy drugs….ERRRRRR… I mean some money to buy food.

He looks at the Macbook I’m holding and says, “A Macbook!  I have one at home – it’s a great computer.”

Is False Creek in Jeopardy of Losing Dragon Boating?

From this post on the FCRCC website, it looks like there’s a chance Vancouver might be losing dragon boating, an entire paddling community, and the annual festival we attend.

Will Achilles & Midas Have a New Rig to Ride In?

I just got an email today from BMW/MiniCooper notifying Vi and I that we have made the first cut to get our hands on a 2009 Mini E.  The “E” stands for “electric” – as in this car runs on electricity – no gas!

This rig is supposed to be able to go 150 miles per charge.

There were over 10,000 applications (as of last November) for one of the 500 Mini Es that will be released in the U.S.  I guess Vi did an excellent job filling out the application.

At this point, I’m not sure if we are in the clear, or if there will be another cut.  Of course, I will keep you posted.

I know for sure, there is NO way they are going to upsell me and put me into another BMW.  If we don’t get the Mini E, there is NO way, I will EVER buy another BMW – especially after the disaster that was my 3-series.

Props to Andy

Andy took the initiative today and paddled oc1 around Naples Island – I think he was s0lo.

How did you do Andy?

LAT Article on Swimming

An interesting article and short video on swimming in the LAT.   Some basic drills and technique are discussed.

LARD Video Announcements

In case you missed the email blast, here’s Phil with LARD announcements and paddler profiles for Bill and Aileen.

ICF World Games Tryout/Selection Update

Just met with Les Hopper and Gary Chan about selection of the Premiere Open Dragon Boat Crew for the ICF World Games this Summer in Taiwan.  We don’t have firm dates yet but wanted to give everyone an update so you aren’t completely in the dark.

We will be doing on-water testing on a single man outrigger canoe (oc1) likely in early April (one day only) – time is TBD and the location will likely be either in Long Beach or San Diego (outside chance we’ll test at NAC).

We do not have a firm date yet for the ICF time trial because we are trying to coordinate with the USDBF so that paddlers can tryout for both the ICF Taiwan team and the USDBF Prague team.  Of course,

I will keep you all updated as these things become clear and are firmed up.

We have acquired a list of those interested and will be presenting a refined list to ICF/Dr. Chen (for airfare purposes) on March 15.  After the time trials, the final list will be handed in on April 15.  We need a definite commitment  at that time.  We will also require a level of commitment from those on the team.

Factors that will be used for team selection – time trial results AND coaches’ discretion.  So if you can paddle an oc1 like a rockstar (or a fat kid) but you have no clue how to blend with those around you, you are pretty much out of luck.

I suggest if you are serious, you  begin preparing accordingly – immediately.  The level of competition for seats on these teams (both ICF & USDBF) is going to be fierce.

If you are interested, but haven’t spoken up yet, please let me know – it’s not too late.

Learn to love lactic acid.

IDBF World Championships in Prague

Not to be confused with the ICF World Games, the IDBF World  Championships in Prague will be held the weekend of August 23, 2009.

There will be a west coast time trial held around April 23 (likely oc1).  The competition will be STIFF.

There will be crews of all ages at that event and openings for all teams.  Anyone that makes the Premier crew will be completely sponsored this year- men and women.  Other crews will have to pay their own costs.  Air to Prague as of last weekend was around $1000.

Les Hopper is assistant coach/west coast coordinator for these teams.  I am not formally affiliated with the IDBF/USDBF but will likely be taking a crack at this team.

You can try out for both the ICF World Games and the IDBF World Championships.

Let me know if you are interested and I’ll keep you informed of the developments.

And the Award For Worst Store Name Award Goes To

Want to Understand Heart Rate Training?

In my quest to learn new stuff about training, I picked up a book by Joe Friel called “Total Heart Rate Training”.  He’s one of the godfathers of triathlon training.

He does a great job explaining what you should actually be doing with that fancy heart rate monitor you wear.

One of the great quotes:

To many athletes, training is random – a hodgepodge of disconnected workouts.  Every day when it’s time to work out, they simply do whatever pops into their heads.  It’s as much entertainment as training.

Most of the literature out there talks about training in zones relating to your maximum heart rate but Friel makes a very convincing argument that you should actually be calcuulating your various zones based on your lactic acid threshold.

Back to REI I Go

The Suunto I bought a few weeks ago decided to stop cooperating.

Glad I got it at REI.

UPDATE: Turns out it was just the battery – REI installed a new one for me gratis. 

Guess Who Went to the Inauguration?

I am a STUD

My pimpin’ Earth Science class at Bishop Amat – circa 1987-ish.  The teacher made me take off my Oakley Blades.

Can you figure out which good-looking stallion is me?

(courtesy of A. Soto – ripped from facebook)

Santa Barbara OC1 Race

Chuck and I schlepped up to Santa Barbara to race in the OC1 race.  The turnout was a bit small but it was fun nonetheless.

Unfortunately, there were no waves – flat as a pancake.

Finishing up – still no waves in sight.

Here’s a picture of Chuck coming down the home stretch – Chuck’s has gotten much faster.  So fast, he’s got me pumped up to train again…

Perhaps the trippiest part about the race was paddling through a very large seaweed field.  What a bizarre feeling hitting all these chunks of seaweed and having your rudder slice right through it.

Vi took the pictures and took care of the beasts as well.  I’m sure she had a better workout than both Chuck and I combined.

Midas had to carry his weight.

Keyees was his old monster self.

UPDATE:  Chuck came in 2nd, I came in 4th.  HULI!  HULI! HULI!