Live, Love, Laugh,...DREAM!: A week with SIC: Cali and Mex

Mexico: Punta Sayulita Recap:

SIC crew at San O

My trip started in California upon my return of spending 7 days in kootenay mountains backcountry skiing (story to come). I headed to California for some training, business, and team SIC bonding! I got to train at San Onofre for my first time. I was out on the SIC XPRO with my small Grand Prix Werner Paddle. I practiced something I don't get to practice very much: paddling in and out of surf. The waves were the perfect size for practice time! I also got to paddle out of Dana Point Harbour where I did some interval work in the flat water and got some time getting used to my new SIC XPRO lite 12'6 board. In addition I headed to hot yoga with Sarah as well as did some road running for cross training. In addition to training I got to spend time with the SIC team. From sales and marketing to shaper and other athletes, these folks are fun, fit, and knowledgeable! I feel pretty lucky to be a part of such a great team!

I also got to try out my new SIC 12'6 board. The Lite! It is fast!

SO excited to bond with this beautiful board.

at SIC headquarters my new XPRO Lite

On plane with SIC crew

SIC crew just arrived into Mexico

Boards at airport

We all headed to Mexico with our 12'6 boards (a little bit of a gong show) and somehow we made it through with all our luggage and boards! woohoo! It pays off to be patient and friendly in these awkward situations. We arrived into Puerto Vallarta and two vans were waiting for us. We eventually got loaded up and we were off to Sayulita. It is about a 45 min drive from Puerto Vallarta. Upon arriving into Sayulita we off loaded our boards and luggage, got settled into our mansion of a house and headed straight for the water to surf. I was excited to get out in the surf and in the warm water. We got a sunset surf session under our belts. I really love beach breaks for the soft landings.. the reefs definitely freak me out sometimes...

Thursday we got invited to a fabulous dinner at one of the nicest houses I have been to. It was right on the water with a true open concept everything. The food was spectacular and the guests entertaining.

Friday morning Kevin, the race director took us out on a boat/surfing adventure. The boys surfed a bigger wave while I decided to practice on a smaller one... so nice to be out on the boat though... I love adventures such as these.. Thanks for showing us around Kevin!

Marina

Saturday was race day for the elite short course. I was on the SIC X12 PRO using my Werner small Grand Prix paddle. The waves were a good size with some of the sets quite intimidating for the race boards. I was able to take the time to mentally prepare first by using Onit Pro on my board. I love this process of waxing my board, it gives me time alone with my board, as well a reason to check it out for any dings etc. I was glad to have a teammate to warm up with. Out on the water we went through the course together and then I decided I needed to practice going in and out of the waves a little more. I am not sure if it got me flustered and worried or pumped and ready?!?! I managed to get a cut on my heel while warming up and got tumbled around... I was slightly flustered and intimidated by the waves... I think people could see it on my face (even though I tried to look confident:)) The course was 3 loops with two beach runs. Off the horn a huge set rolled in.... I got through most of the set but got caught on the outside wave x2. Luckily, I think I did better than most though. I think everyone got caught up in the set except the beast Georges who made it through no problems. Once I got through I started catching some guys on the outside. The first surf into the beach went well. I stayed on my board and surfed all the way onto the beach. I had a clean exit off the board! My luck had it that every time I headed out a good size set rolled in:) good practice anyhow. I managed to maintain my position among the men and women throughout the course. I had three clean surf entries onto the beach which I was totally pumped about. I may not look elegant surfing my board but I did it:) I managed to win the womens elite and come top ten among the men.

Start of elite course photo from Shelby

Surfing in during elite course photo by Punta Sayulita Classic

On course photo by Punta Sayulita Classic

The following day was the distance event. We had a beach start and finish with three loops of a relatively spectator friendly course. On this day I chose to try out my new SIC X12 PRO LITE board. It is 24" wide so less stable but faster than the PRO. We started in a slightly more sheltered part of the bay so the waves were slightly smaller but still big enough to cause some excitement. This time around though the horn went after the large set:) which was kind:) I was with a bunch of the SIC crew up to the second buoy but during the first long section I managed to pull away from a bunch of guys and then was alone for the rest of the race standing in 6th place. By the third loop the conditions were not in our favour with tough wind and water conditions. I managed to stay upright through the sections but it was hard work mentally and physically. The loop went something like this (headwind, side chop plus weird conditions, side chop on the other side, head wind.... x3). It was big mental push to make it around the course and good practice for the balance skills. My legs were definitely feeling it. It was grand to paddle into the finish and be done:) I managed to win first female and 6th overall on this day.

me, Shelby, Kristin after distance event photo from Shelby

The event does a good job on bringing people together with a huge concert on Saturday night, G love and the special sauce took the stage on the beach... so cool. I love beach towns.