2012 Santa Cruz Video
This is my second year competing in HP at Santa Cruz and I was apprehensive about the conditions, as last year was just plain scary and the forecast this year looked worse. I got into town Wed. afternoon to messy conditions that weren’t very inviting.
Thursday I got up early and was the second person on the water, didn’t even drive out to check the waves, just paddled out from Cowell’s to get in some practice no matter the conditions. Luckily the waves were super fun and I gained some confidence for the first time at Steamers. A strong 3hr session left me exhausted, but with a big smile. In the afternoon I took a quick 1hr session, launching directly from the event site, just to dial in a few more waves before the comp. Thursday night was a rocking’ party/competitors meeting at ASUDOIT complete with organic local beer, great food, live music and even some fire dancing.
Friday was challenging as the conditions were stormy and I had an afternoon heat, allowing my nerves to get the best of me all day. I managed to catch 3 waves in my heat and I needed every bit of all of them. I didn’t feel great about my performance, but my one super quality wave helped to land me a first in my heat. Friday night was chill with a few appetizers and beers at the Pono Hawaiian Grill to check results and commune with the surf kayak tribe. I also had a fantastic dinner at Café Mare with much of the Euro contingent and Buck Johnson.
Saturday I knew I needed to win another heat in order to advance to semis and the waves where clean and big, meaning my surfing and not necessarily my wave selection would be what would make me advance. I caught a total of about 5 waves, while only 2 where really worthy of any kind of quality score. I had a really close call with another competitor dropping in on me on my best wave of the day, but luckily it was only a close call and I still got to shred the wave. The ladies of Team Bensch delivered the results at the Coconut Grove party and announced that I had landed another 1st in my heat, which only landed me 6th overall. Meaning 5 others got 2 firsts and higher scores than me. TOUGH competition in Santa Cruz! The Coconut Grove party was super fun with live music and good people, but I left early as my focus was now on winning my semis heat on Sunday morning.
Sunday the conditions looked a lot like last year; windy, huge beach break at Cowell’s and BIG sporadic waves at the Lane. I managed to get off the beach with out too much issue, but I got really luckily and timed it just right. I got on the water early for my heat and got annihilated by a huge wall of whitewater WAY outside. After recovering from that beating my nerves where a bit shot going into the heat, but I was determined to do well. I went deep in search of the big one and immediately got caught inside a massive set. With no were to run I took the beating and took the long paddle back out to the lineup. After a few more similar events and chasing waves all over the competition zone I only got one scoring ride. I knew right away that my comp was over and I was a bit disappointed, but in the end I know I did what I could to succeed. In the end I managed 7th out of 28 HP Men, succeeding in my goal to beat my ’11 placing at 12th.
It was an amazing experience and I learn a ton at every competition. A huge congrats to all the top paddle surf competitors who progress this sport every year. I’ll see you on the water again soon. I’d like to personally thank Team Bensch for the entertainment and the “parking” arrangements:)
All Photos of me by the Ladies of Team Bensch (Kirstyn & Courtney) and Rob Avery, thanks guys!
