Surf to Salt board race
2013
Having been to this race last
year I was looking forward to the race, a short enough distance to be more of a
sprint but just about long enough to slow down some of the pure sprinters. The
race is part of the Hayle Life Saving Club and so is mainly filled with
paddleboards designed for Surf Rescue and done prone (kneeling and lying flat)
but was opened up to SUP as well and always gets a good turnout. I was caught a
bit unawares the previous year with board choice as I had both the K-15 and Ace
Pro depending on conditions, I deemed the conditions suitable for the K15 as
there wasn’t any surf and parked at the far end and paddled to the start line,
as it got closer to the start time the swell and surf built and built and
suddenly the K15 wasn’t the best choice after all so I was sceptical of the
flat conditions this year and decided to stick with the Ace Pro regardless. As
my mum was paddling this year also we parked a van at either end and paddled to
the start. 
The wind this year was going to prove a
problem blowing straight down the harbour and out to sea, great for the first
half a mile out to the marker but not so great for the remainder of the race. This
was going to give the prone boarders a great advantage over the SUP as keeping
down out of the wind reduces a lot of resistance. As we all lined up on the
beach there was only a minimal swell coming in and so timing of sets and
balance wasn’t too much of an issue. The whistle went for the start and I got
up and out fairly sharpish, however there was a false start from one of the
prone’s and we were recalled back to the beach, the next start happened almost
straight away and caught me a little off guard, I started clawing my way over
to the left so I could present more of my back to the wind and hopefully that
would push me in the direction on the marker, I kept glancing across and saw
others taking a more direct line but as we got closer they had to paddle back
side on to the wind and slowing their straight line speed slightly. Even by now
Ollie Shillston was in front followed by 2 prones, Giles Kent, Mr red and white
shorts, Tim Bracey and 3 prones drafting their train, as I approached the mark
the prones slowed my turn and then the wind caught me, I went much wider than I
wanted and started the slog into the wind, after a few yards I was caught with
a slight dilemma, do I head right and catch the train and have an easier time
into the harbour and try for a sprint finish or head left and keep clear enough
of the pack that no one could follow me, a longer route and harder on my own
but maybe it could pay dividends. I was 5th SUP at this point and
figured worse case scenario is id still be 5th maybe 6th,
as I started heading left away from the pack I noticed 2 prone boarders headed
that way as well, I saw this as a good sign and tried to slot in behind them,
no matter what I tried to couldn’t quite catch them but it was close enough to
keep me digging deep trying to have a breather, I knew I was slowly pulling
away from the pack of SUPs but as we were heading a longer route I wasn’t
really sure how much of a gap was being made, I tried focusing on my own race
and kept scrunching into the wind and using as many muscles as possible, I
really wanted to see how far the others were behind me but kept telling myself
“I’m second, keep going” not wanting to ruin my progress I just kept slogging
it out. Everything was aching and a drink would have been nice but I had opted
out from a hydration pack to reduce weight and restriction. As I got closer to
the final creek I kept listening out for noises to work out if anyone was going
for a final sprint to catch me, with the wind against me though they would have
to be almost directly behind me to hear them, I kept using the 2 prone boarders
in front of me as a guide to try and beat them across the line, I couldn’t but
finished 6th overall and 2nd in the SUP class, I was glad
I hadn’t slowed as the pack wasn’t far behind me, maybe 30 seconds maximum. I
was really stoked with the result the burn was worthwhile. At this point I
still have not found any results but will keep looking, Mum finished 1st
in the Ladies SUP so I’m proud of her for that.
I hope ill be able to make it down to Hayle
next year for this great event, thank you to Ben Holtaway and all the other
organisers and Sponsors for their prizes. Also a special thanks and Starboard
and Tushingham for their support, Next known race, Battle of the Brands –
Falmouth, Race On !!! Thanks for Reading.
