Last weekend had the RDP inmates spread all over the map as several events were all happening on the same date. As for me (PinkTaco), I had just gotten back from a week in Costa Rica and was looking forward to just sitting at the lake doing nothing when I got a call asking if I was going to be attending the 67th Catalina Ski Race. Never one to shy away from a road trip, I made a quick decision to repack and head for Long Beach to see what all the fuss was about the fabled race. With a rich history spanning nearly 70 years the Catalina Ski race has become known as the World's Greatest Ski Race. If the enthusiasm of both racers and spectators is any indication I'd say the name fits.
The race starts and finishes near the Queen Mary in Long Beach, so once I got settled into my room I made my way over to the Maya Hotel adjacent to The Mary to see what I could see. Upon arrival I met up with some of the usual suspects of the RDP community. In attendance was sfv2rvr and Dona, Outdrive1 and his girl, Maxedoutmarine and girlfriend, Boatracer36, TheKeyslife, Rivergames, River Lynchmob and family, Riverbound, WOT, and a myriad of others! While the race itself is the excuse, the real event is the party surrounding the great race. The party starts sometime on Thursday for some and doesn't end till Sunday and is pretty much singing at full throttle the whole weekend. Between big group dinners and cocktails before, during, and after the race it has become on of the biggest social events on the west coast for boaters. Everyone is in great spirits and win or lose the competitors have a stellar time challenging themselves and their competition.
For the race itself I was fortunate to be offered a ride and a front row seat to the action aboard Schiada's new 43' Super Cruiser. Let me just say this boat is amazing. We were cruising at 70 and it felt like the boat was doing 35. Great ride and just a beautiful rig all around. The race was a pleasure to watch from such a great platform! Congrats to Mike Avila and his crew for the win after a hard fought battle with Steve Davis, Todd Haig, and crew from Nordic Boats! It looked like another photo finish was in the works, but Haig Stepped off just before the final straight. I'm sure the Nordic crew will be back as strong as ever next year!
All in all it was a great time hanging with some great RDP members! I'll be back next year, but until then, see you all at the river!
The race starts and finishes near the Queen Mary in Long Beach, so once I got settled into my room I made my way over to the Maya Hotel adjacent to The Mary to see what I could see. Upon arrival I met up with some of the usual suspects of the RDP community. In attendance was sfv2rvr and Dona, Outdrive1 and his girl, Maxedoutmarine and girlfriend, Boatracer36, TheKeyslife, Rivergames, River Lynchmob and family, Riverbound, WOT, and a myriad of others! While the race itself is the excuse, the real event is the party surrounding the great race. The party starts sometime on Thursday for some and doesn't end till Sunday and is pretty much singing at full throttle the whole weekend. Between big group dinners and cocktails before, during, and after the race it has become on of the biggest social events on the west coast for boaters. Everyone is in great spirits and win or lose the competitors have a stellar time challenging themselves and their competition.
For the race itself I was fortunate to be offered a ride and a front row seat to the action aboard Schiada's new 43' Super Cruiser. Let me just say this boat is amazing. We were cruising at 70 and it felt like the boat was doing 35. Great ride and just a beautiful rig all around. The race was a pleasure to watch from such a great platform! Congrats to Mike Avila and his crew for the win after a hard fought battle with Steve Davis, Todd Haig, and crew from Nordic Boats! It looked like another photo finish was in the works, but Haig Stepped off just before the final straight. I'm sure the Nordic crew will be back as strong as ever next year!
All in all it was a great time hanging with some great RDP members! I'll be back next year, but until then, see you all at the river!
