Chip Bock - 1st SUP
October 18, 2008 marked another weekend of SUP stoke on the Right Coast with the runing of the flat water 2nd Annual 22 mile Causeway 2 Causeway Waterman Challenge paddleboard race held in Cocoa, Florida on the Intra-Costal Waterway. The “C2C” as it has come to be known, had another great turnout this year with over 30 competitors from all over the Sunshine State competing in several classes that included SUP, prone paddleboards, OC-1, OC-2, OC-6, Life Guard Boats and kayaks. Keeping in tradition, the “C2C” is a non-trophy charity event that is held each year to help support and raise funds for the Cocoa Beach Surf Museum and all of it efforts to promote and preserve the “Waterman History” that is so rich in Central Florida. The museum features exhibits of one of a kind paraphernalia from local hometown surfing hero’s such as Kelly Slater, the Hobgoods, Lopez brothers, Matt Kechle, legend Dick Catri and more. www.Cocoabeachsurfmuseum.org
The 2nd Annual Causeway 2 Causeway 22 mile paddleboard race in Cocoa, Florida.
Last year’s inaugural event offered up some tricky conditions with 15-20 mph head winds, challenging the competitors throughout the second 11 miles of the course (just what you want after an 11 mile down winder).
This year’s event looked like it would be plagued with severe winds again in the days prior, but when the sun rose on Saturday morning, the waterman gods blessed us with light west winds and glassy conditions. I can tell you a huge sigh of relief rose from those of us that had endured the event last year as many competitors were not even able to complete the 22 mile journey due to the severe wind conditions.
Unfortunately, unlike our Hawaiian brothers and sisters that are more often blessed by surreal “down winders” to paddle and glide on; Right Coast paddleboard races are extended flat water “sprints” similar California’s paddleboard race conditions. Races are fairly close and equipment, body weight and climate conditions (such as wind force and direction) and coastal topography, play a major role in the outcome.
Chip Bock in the lead and hammering on to mile 14.
The course for the “C2C” runs from Lee Wenner Park at the base of 520 Causeway in historic Cocoa Village, FL 11 miles south to the Pineda Causeway and back for a total of 22 miles.
Paddler’s have a maximum of 8 hours to complete the 22 miles and 4 hours to complete the first 11 miles or they are DNF and must exit the water via a support boat.
In the “C2C”, paddlers must also be self-sufficient in respect to fuel and water as there is limited support craft and the racers get pretty spaced out along the coarse as the hours wear on. As an example, I carry a 100 ounce Camel Bak for hydration in addition to carefully proportioned “Soft Flasks” that contain my “fuel” (along with other top-secret items) to get me through at least 5-6 hours on the course if needed without ever stopping paddling or requiring a support boat. Paddleboard racing in Florida (as in other tropical climates) over a long 22 mile distance also requires training, hydration and fueling techniques similar to an Iron Man event to stay competitive or sometimes even just to finish.
In the end, I was fortunate to win this year’s open SUP division in the 2008 “C2C” in 4hrs 52min on a beautiful, newly re-designed 19ft Joe Bark SUP racer that Joe shaped for me and was able to get in my hands about 2 weeks before the race. Gary Wise, last year’s open SUP division winner in the C2C hailing from Florida’s Panhandle, finished second in 5hrs 4min. Other top finishers were two time “C2C” winner JP Atherholt from Tampa, FL in the Unlimited prone paddleboard division at 4hrs 20min, Cynthia Aguilar in Stock prone paddleboard 5hrs 40min, Matt Coiro in his Epic 18ft kayak 3hrs 46min and Louis/Linda Postma’s OC-2 at 3hrs 50min.
The 22 mile shaka end of the C2C. Chip finished the course in 1st place and is all smiles.
The event culminated in a fantastic feast for the finishers provided for the second year in a row by Mr. Cubano’s in Cape Canaveral, FL (www.mrcubano.com) whose slow smoked ribs, fried plantains and incredible Aloha is all the racers can think about at mile 21 during the “C2C”. Event sponsor Ocean Potion also provided some stuffed goodie bags again this year for all of the competitors (www.opotion.com ).
I also want to send a big MAHALO
out to my generous supporters and sponsors, as for a second year in a row I
personally raced for LIVESTRONG and the Lance Armstrong Foundation, raising
almost $1000 for LAF (www.livestrong.org/grassroots2008/watermanforhope
). Extra special thanks to my sponsors; Joe Bark and Bark
Paddleboards (www.barkocean.com), Todd Bradley and the crew at
C4 Waterman (www.c4waterman.com), Nancy Matican who kicks my
tail with her “top secret” techniques for getting me in shape for these races at
Connected Fitness Certified Personal Training (www.connectedfitness.com) and Hammer Nutrition
whose fuels and gels keep me paddling (www.hammernutrition.com). Without them I could not
keep doing what I am doing.
The “C2C” wraps up the official Right Coast paddleboard race season for 2008; but I have heard rumors of a more “year round” schedule potentially starting in 2009.
See you in the water,
-Chip Bock
After 22 miles in 4 hours 52 minutes, the Bock-Man is ready for the next one.
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