Field Report 41 Catalina Challenge
Catalina Challenge
From Avalon to Dana Point’s Baby Beach 29 March 2009
(39.8 Miles)
Team Core NCP 4, Skipper, EJ leading the crew to the finish, Dana Pt. (photo: Andie Johnson)
On Saturday, 28 March the crew of four paddlers got underway in Ernie “EJ” and Andie Johnson’s 38’ Morgan sailboat, “Librada” from Dana Point to Avalon, Catalina Island. The “Skipper”, assembled the team. From North County Paddleboards (NCP): Brian Szmanski and Matt Friedman, two fantastic characters known all over California for their traditional paddleboard prowess in design and practice. Brian was part of the on the leading edge of the “New School” of surfing that included Rob Machado, Taylor Steel and Kelly Slater. Brian has numerous traditional stock class (12’) paddleboard victories in the Catalina Classic on his on self designed/built equipment. Mr Szmanski is also one of the spiritual ringleaders of the traditional paddleboard renaissance in San Diego County. Brian’s partner in NCP is former Navy S.E.A.L., Matt “Frito” Friedman, a tougher, more solid, salt of the earth gentleman there is not. Matt used to teach the advanced phase at BUDS (Basic Under Water Demolition School- where folks become S.E.A.L.s) at NAB Coronado. Matt and Brian have recently starting building stock class (12’6”) flatwater stand-up paddleboards. EJ has been winning most of the latest stock class races on an NCP stock 22” wide missile that most paddlers could not even stay mounted on. EJ has an extreme work/training ethic that is legendary among the Orange County paddlers. EJ also builds strong, light wooden paddles (Johnson Big Sticks) www.johnsonbigstick.com.
The crew set out just abaft of dawn, in the mostly sunny morning, and was relieved to slip the cantankerous bounds of shore and responsibility.
Halfway across the channel the sun finally showed
Taking a Rocky Mountain beverage break in port, Avalon
Four paddle boards were brought on the crossing to accommodate potential sea and wind conditions affecting the crew: 3 stock NCP designed and built SUP’s from EJ’s ultra narrow glassy water rocket to a never been “christened” rough water stock board in the “desert camo”. A C4 Vortice XP was also brought in case the conditions warranted an even more “seaworthy” board for high winds and a strong following sea.
All four boards were paddled by the crew, and based on the forecasted sea-state and winds the new NCP 12’6” board was chosen. The race meeting took place ashore amongst many familiar faces:
After a nice supper ashore the crew retired early to sounds of much mayhem and merriment ashore, as “spring-break” was commencing. The next morning dawned with a dreary red sky with low scud on the horizon.
Skipper EJ motivated the crew with a calliope of heavy metal music. One half hour before the start we slipped the mooring lines and got underway to the race start area of “Lover’s Cove”, just to the south east of Avalon Bay.
Core NCP 4 gets underway to the race start (photo: Chris O’Kieffe)
Above left: Helmsman, Brian Szymanski “Gamming” with one of the other race crew boats, while Captain EJ looks on. Above right: the ladies “Bee Team” also deploys (photo: C O’Kieffe).
EJ leading from “the pointy end” takes the first to take a pull to start the race; below he is assisted by Brian:
Standing by for the starting gun
The race commenced at 0800 under an overcast sky with a chilly south wind. The teams rapidly dispersed, some heading on a more northerly track to take advantage of the forecasted afternoon northwest winds. The outriggers and surfskis started 2 hours later. Chuck Patterson on his long Hobie unlimited board took off into the lead, followed by many of the unlimited teams.
Matt approaches the Librada for a crew change midway across the channel
As the crew rotations continued, EJ and Brian closed the gap on many of the unlimited teams as they were slowly overhauled; the seas continued to become a bit more confused with the freshening south wind. During the crossing several pods of dolphin and some lone sharks were sighted checking out the floundering humans in their domain. About midway the sun briefly came out and the south wind swung a bit to the east and some good bump runs were possible. Brian Szmanski having one of the nicest sessions of near continuous connections of “scoots” .
EJ and the team addressing the "weak link" of the crew to "put some gut into it" (Chris O’Kieffe photo)
Brian enjoys some fair conditions as EJ and Matt look on
EJ taking big cuts
Matt pulled hard in spite of serious back pain
Ted Rutherford, not a slave to fashion (Chris O'Kieffe photo)
Within 5 miles of the Dana Headlands there was a noticeable back wash that combined with the boat wakes made for a “rodeo-like” finish. Brian did a nice job stayin’ aboard for the 2nd to the last pull. Approaching the red bell buoy, home town boy Ernie Johnson finished the final leg. After the finish, EJ returned to his boat and the crew came back out to watch and cheer the finishes of the other Standup and outrigger teams.
EJ brings it home
After closing the race EJ takes the helm as the crew heads to the mouth of the harbor to cheer on the finishers
Mrs. Johnson glad to have the Librada back in one piece
During the awards dinner at Hennessey’s where we dined on hamburgers and chicken, the weather became downright chilly with a brisk spitting of cold drizzle and wind. Chris O’Keiffe did a super job of organizing the event, and was there every step of the way.
“Rockstars”, Brian and EJ accepting the awards
1st Couple of the Good Ship Librada
Many thanks to Brian, EJ and Matt for their hospitality and good camaraderie; Mahalo to Andie Johnson for the use of her boat too. Todd and Tara thanks for the goodies and paddles for the race; the crew used the new XPR paddles which are truly the zenith of design and comfort!
L-R Matt, Ted, EJ, and Brian
Very respectfully submitted,
Ted Rutherford C4 Waterman
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