OYRA Farallones race

[Andy Newell]

Who's planning on a wild ride around the stinky rocks this Saturday?

Forecast is somewhere in mid 20's with gusts to 30. It looks like it will be blowing all week so the seas might be a bit festive.

If it is 100 in the valley and 70 on the coast the math (valley - coast = wind speed) supports us seeing at least gusts to 30.

[Photoboy]

Good call Andy,

Been meaning to get to this, but so much going on right now, head on swivel, icing finger joints from exertion etc...



Registrant List

[Charlie Tuna]

25 boats is all? I guess the lure of the Transpac has taken a lot of sailors south?

[psycho tiller]

Junkyard Dog is still in a SoCal kennel after the CORW, waiting for a weather window to get back home. Conditions have been pretty ugly on the central coast lately. We were planning to race the Farallones but unfortunately the dog won't be back in time. Sail fast, take chances and extra points if you can pet the men in grey suits who live near the islands!

[BobJ]

Before the sprint back, we try to have a little BBQ and shark feeding in the lee of the island. "Keep those palms open or you might get your fingers nipped!"

I'll miss it this time - I'm on my way north to start vacation. Dave and Dr. Neil are racing the boat on Saturday. Sorry you'll miss it too, Psycho.

In other news, PB is attending today's Warriors victory parade in Oakland. Way to represent, PB!

[Andy Newell]

25 boats is all? I guess the lure of the Transpac has taken a lot of sailors south?

The OYRA guest list is made up of boats that have all their online paperwork and crew list complete, and it's not due until 1700 Thursday.

As of noon today we have 37 boats approved and expect a few more will be added the list so we should be in the low 40's (that's boats, not wind speed!).

There is a change in the SI's for this race. All boats are responsible to have 100% accurate crew lists prior to the start, and any last minute changes need to be done by the racers. The RC will not be doing this for you any longer. It's fairly easy to do from a smart phone or tablet, just make sure you remember your password!

[BobJ]

It looks like Dave and Neil won our division (Jamani was full-crew). I should stay off the boat more often!

OYRA Farallones Results

[psycho tiller]

It looks like Dave and Neil won our division (Jamani was full-crew). I should stay off the boat more often!

OYRA Farallones Results

That's what happens when you "drive it like it's stolen". I wouldn't worry too much though. How much damage could possibly be, never mind.

[Photoboy]

... in other local news:

News Release
June 17, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 11th District Pacific Southwest
Contact: 11th District Public Affairs
Office: (510) 437-3325
After Hours: (510) 772-8865

Coast Guard, Alameda Fire Department assist 16 rowers aground in Alameda

SAN FRANCISCO — A Coast Guard rescue swimmer and an Alameda Fire Department rescue boat crew assisted 16 rowers Saturday afternoon after their boat took on water and ran aground approximately 50 yards north of Coast Guard Island in Alameda.

An Alameda Fire Department rescue boat crew notified Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders around 11:30 a.m. that they noticed a large team row boat, also known as a dragon boat, aground on the north side of Coast Guard Island. Due to the shallow depth of water Alameda Fire Department's rescue boat was unable to get close enough to establish communication.

Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders were able to establish cell phone communication with a crewmember aboard the dragon boat and discovered the vessel had a hole in its hull, was taking on water and was sitting on the bottom as the tide was coming in. Several crewmembers were standing around the dragon boat in waist-high water while others remained aboard the dragon boat. All crewmembers were wearing life jackets.

A Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco Dolphin helicopter crew and a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew were dispatched to the scene. An Alameda Fire Department rescue boat and a second dragon boat from the California Dragon Boat Association also arrived on scene to assist.

A Coast Guard rescue swimmer was deployed from the helicopter onto Coast Guard Island. The swimmer proceeded to the grounded dragon boat and with the assistance of the Alameda Fire Department rescue boat crew, helped all 16 rowers safely onto the second dragon boat.

All 16 rowers are accounted for and out of danger.

-USCG-

PS: Bobby the Jay... Did you secure the hootch yet?
You gonna be back in time for your next big parade next weekend?
My youngest made the ole man coffee and apricot/mango crepes
this AM, maybe yours will get you Gigantes tix???

[Bitchin Bow Dude]

How the hell do you run a dragon boat aground in the estuary?

[Wet Spreaders]

We had a good day on the water, although I will say that the wave state was bigger than I expected and I ended up feeding my breakfast burrito to the whales, which we passed on the way out and the way back. We had a good start and a great leg out past Bonita and were (one of?) the first to tack when the lift from the North came. We laid the Island from there and my sense is that we were already overstood, so all those who invested more time going North probably ended up regretting it. We stayed with white sails on the way back because of the wind strength and angle (80 apparent and gusts to 29kts) until the last channel marker, when the wind dropped rapidly and went West. Kudos to Escapade who did try a kite in the heavy stuff, although it didn't seem to be much help because of the fine angle. We arrived back at Bonita around 4pm and fought through slatting conditions for half a mile while the wind changed from 320 to 200, then jibed and had a nice ride through the gate. Frankly, we thought that we won, but we lost track of one guy in our fleet after the start and I presume that he went a southerly route out and back, which paid of with approx 30 mins overall benefit. It was my boys' first trip around the Farallons. They had a good time except for the beat from the Lightship to the turning point - inadequate foulie gear for the conditions - so they were cold and wet when we turned for home, although they did derive some amusement from watching me disgorge my breakfast over the leeward rail. Anyway, they are now properly salty and have something to brag about with their friends.

[Charlie Tuna]

Nothing says Happy Fathers Day like blowing chunks in front of the kids!

[JoyRider]

Well that was a wild ride on Saturday. Anyone get good photos or videos? Way to wet on my ride for photography...

[Wet Spreaders]

Well that was a wild ride on Saturday. Anyone get good photos or videos? Way to wet on my ride for photography...

No photos from my boat either - worried about getting globs of masticated bacon and egg in the viewfinder

[El Capitan]

... in other local news:

News Release
June 17, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 11th District Pacific Southwest
Contact: 11th District Public Affairs
Office: (510) 437-3325
After Hours: (510) 772-8865

Coast Guard, Alameda Fire Department assist 16 rowers aground in Alameda

SAN FRANCISCO — A Coast Guard rescue swimmer and an Alameda Fire Department rescue boat crew assisted 16 rowers Saturday afternoon after their boat took on water and ran aground approximately 50 yards north of Coast Guard Island in Alameda.

An Alameda Fire Department rescue boat crew notified Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders around 11:30 a.m. that they noticed a large team row boat, also known as a dragon boat, aground on the north side of Coast Guard Island. Due to the shallow depth of water Alameda Fire Department's rescue boat was unable to get close enough to establish communication.

Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders were able to establish cell phone communication with a crewmember aboard the dragon boat and discovered the vessel had a hole in its hull, was taking on water and was sitting on the bottom as the tide was coming in. Several crewmembers were standing around the dragon boat in waist-high water while others remained aboard the dragon boat. All crewmembers were wearing life jackets.

A Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco Dolphin helicopter crew and a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew were dispatched to the scene. An Alameda Fire Department rescue boat and a second dragon boat from the California Dragon Boat Association also arrived on scene to assist.

A Coast Guard rescue swimmer was deployed from the helicopter onto Coast Guard Island. The swimmer proceeded to the grounded dragon boat and with the assistance of the Alameda Fire Department rescue boat crew, helped all 16 rowers safely onto the second dragon boat.

All 16 rowers are accounted for and out of danger.

-USCG-

I'm still trying to imagine how they managed to hole the boat, why the couldn't just pull the damn thing ashore?