Yukon SUP Expedition...the road Trip up north

We took three days to drive from Vancouver to Whitehorse.
After last minute packing and boat pick up on Day 1 we drove to just outside of Quesnel at the Ten Mile Provincial Park.  All went smoothly. We managed to get a great little site and the bugs although more intense than vancouver definitely still manageable. We cooked up a great meal of left over veg and took a walk to the lake.

Day 2 We started off the day with a lie in and then a SUP and kayak around the lake at the park. We wanted to test out the gear and also get some exercise and enjoy the beautiful sceneray before hitting the road. It was perfect. We stopped in Smithers for lunch/breakfast/dinner (we forgot to eat this day..oops!)
Smithers is a cute northern town with a ski hill and a great little bike shop! The map told me there was a provincial park just north of Bell 2 but it lied so we ended up spending the night in our car at a rest stop not too far from Iskut. On this day we saw a lot of wildlife, a total of:  9 bears, 1 moose, 1 fox (with a dead bird in its mouth) and a deer type animal... we didn't think setting up the tent was wise... Yay for Subaru outbacks!

Day3
We had a truckers breakfast at Dease Lake and pushed on all the way to Whitehorse! We got in at about 530pm bought the Mike Rourke's Yukon River book, had dinner, set up camp at Robert Service Campground, ran by the river, and then went out for a couple of pints just because it was light out at 11pm!

Today: we managed to finish our errands early and are going to hit the trails on our bikes..YAY!

all is well

live, love, laugh,...DREAM!
lina

Holding onto my title as Queen of Kalamalka at the Kalamalka Classic 2011

Norm Hann and Me as King and Queen of Kalamalka!

This past weekend was filled with good fun, hard earned prizes, sweat, cheer, and a beautiful growing community of stand up paddleboarders.

First off a big THANKS to the organizers Kevin and Michelle from Kalavida Surf Shop for putting on a wonderful event full of events, food, and entertainment.

Last year I attended this race with a mere 28 or so paddlers. Most of us were on all arounder type boards and hadn't a clue about racing SUP but greatly enjoyed the two events.  I managed to come out as Queen of Kalamalka. This year I was back to defend my title but proved to be very different with the sport growing at a rapid speed the field more than doubled. I believe there were about 70 or so paddlers out on the courses. There was a recreational league and a competitive one. The competitive racers were racing with high speeds, with a good set of skills, technique, and strategy. We were all out there having tons of fun and trying to get crowned King and Queen of Kalmalka!

There were three different races, all testing different skills on a SUP and all counted towards the final goal of becoming crowned. I brought the board that I have been racing the Tuesday Night Deep Cove races on this year, my NEW 12'6 X 23.5.. it's fast but it does come with some consequences if one is not careful as it can also be quite unstable, and harder turn around tight corners due to its narrowness and instability. Thank you Starboard and Trident Sports for the use of this awesome board and the growing support! I must say I was a little nervous to use the board for the short course as there were lots of turns and there could have been some bumps etc. I know I can paddle that board well on my own in flat water but wasnt too confident on my abilities to turn etc on it in a crowd with some bumps.. I do have to say for racing I love this board!

On the beach with Starboard flag

Short Course:

I surprised myself here. I used the cross bow turning method, went out hard to get infront of the crowd, stayed on my board and just felt so strong and confident that I started passing some guys, then some more and without really realizing it finished the course amongst the top males... really it was a good confident booster for me especially heading up to the yukon this week and paddling the Yukon river... It made me feel like I could do it even more.

racing around the buoys on the short course

Sprint Course:

Here we had to use a 12' or shorter board...I was scrambling to find a board I liked and then Beau and Dale from WA were kind enough to lend me their 12' board. It looked like a goodie... and that it was. It was sort of like SUP cross. We had three people at the line, it was a sprint to the buoy. The fun part was you could turn around the bouy in either direction (causing mayhem) and finish with a quick sprint to the beach. Somehow our heat was pretty much the same twice in a row... hmmm but i managed to get out in front quick and avoid the chaos of the turn... There was one run where I had a true brain fart and forgot how to turn which in the end saved me. As I was gathering my thoughts about turning I drifted away from the bouy and was found on the outside of the chaos near the buoy, allowing for a quick escape back to the beach. I managed to pull out in front in the final heat for another win!

start of sprint course

Long Course:

The long course is what it is all about... This lake is gorgeous and the distance tough but very satisfying! I was back on my starboard New. I won't lie, when we arrived at the start I was nervous... it was choppy out there... everyone was so excited for the downwinder and I was peeing my pants... hoping I wouldn't fall off my board too many times.... The start was choppy but Andrew helped me out and told me to stay wide as the rec class got bunched up by the buoy turn.. I managed to stay out of any crashes and up right through the riviera and along the entire lake. It was actually quite fun and the little chop kept me on my toes and made for the time to pass quickly! I spent the first third of the race catching the other 12'6 guys until Beau and I were leading the pack. I think he got tired of me and took off and I couldn't catch him again... I managed to come in as a the 2nd 12'6 board overall and thereforesolidying my overall win as Queen! I felt great throughout the entire paddle down the lake... I used NUUN as my hydration (my fav)

crossing the riviera on the long course

The points were tabulated and Norm and I were crowned! Also a big congrats to Jen D and Kristin T for their awesome performances out there rounding out the top females and Beau and Stu R on the men's side...

Here are some pictures from ANDREW click HERE

Now its up to the north we go... for the 24 hour of light mountain bike race and my attempt to SUP the Yukon River from Whitehorse to Dawson.

live, love, laugh,...DREAM!
lina

train, play, train....more playing..getting ready for expeditions and races!

Lots of fun things on the horizon and therefore there's been a lot of playing (or training I suppose some would call it).

The Kalamalka Lake Classic SUP race in Vernon June 18-19
The 24 hours of light Mountain Bike Race June 25-26
Paddling the Yukong River Whitehorse-Dawson (see tab above) approx June 27-July 3rd
Raid the North Extreme 6 day non stop adventure race with Yogaslackers July 23-31st
Vancouver SUP race Aug 7th

Tuesday Night Paddling Races in Deep Cove have been awesome for getting a hard paddle in and especially with more and more people coming out on SUPs. I think we started the year off with about 4 or so of us (which is what it kind of maxed out at last year:)) and now there are some 14 or so people coming out to race the Tuesday Night Paddling races on SUPs. It is super fun  especially since Mike and I have been battling it out each week which has provided for some fun entertainment, a hard workout and awesome commaderie. Thanks to Trident Sports/Starboard for providing me with a super slick and speedy board (The New) without I might have to work even harder to keep myself in the running out front:)

I am really looking forward to trying out my new Kialoa Paddle when it comes...

I've also been getting out on the board Monday nights before teaching SUP Fitness classes. Come out on Monday night 7-8pm to the Cove and try it out... It is a totally different way of getting a full body work out while enjoying the fresh air and peacefulness of the water.

While not on the board I am on the bike loads... Commuting all over the city due to my style of work and then again riding on the trails on the weekends and some week nights! I am so stoked on mountain biking these days since I got my free ride bike (kona minxy).

The shore although still harsh, technical, and physical... it is not as intimidating as before. I love my new found confidence on the BIG bike and look forward to the day I start huckin'..OH YEAH:)


Running used to be my main gig, loved it and still do, but it is difficult sometimes to fit it all in and especially when events are coming up that are long and specific. Although I am still getting out for runs they are short and kind of a filler at the moment... When I return from WHitehorse it will be full on as I prepare for Raid the North Extreme, where I will be racing with team Gearjunkies/Yogaslackers.

I just love multisporting so much.. There is something amazing about being able to paddle super well but then hit the trails hard on the mtn bike or go for a long run and then climb up some rock or hit up the pool for a swim... I'm all about it these days...I just need a couple of more hours in a day and a couple of more days in a week to fit it all in :)

But for now,

paddle paddle paddle..... bike bike bike...
Kalamalka Lake and Yukon here I come!

live, love, laugh,...DREAM!
lina