R2AK: Team Apple Bottom Boy
As another Race to Alaska begins, we thought it would be fun to take a closer look at some of the teams employing smaller boats on the 750-mile adventure from Port Townsend, Washington to Ketchikan, AK. Small Craft Advisor is once again offering the $1,000 “Side Bet” prize to the first team to finish in a boat 20 feet or under. Turn Point Design will award that same team with a set of tactical titanium sporks. Oh the glory!
TEAM APPLE BOTTOM BOY
Tell us a little about your boat and crew. Custom Built ONE Stand up paddleboard. 17.5 feet. Built for open water and long touring expeditions, this board has a dugout type hull/deck so that the paddler stands a good 6” below the top edge of the boards side rails and nose allowing more balance being closer to the waterline. I purchased this board with the express purpose of attempting the Race To Alaska as it has a high capacity for gear and also has a rudder which I can control with my left foot to keep the board tracking straight with side winds and chop.
What makes you think this crazy plan might actually work? I don’t think fortune is shining upon me completing this journey, but I’m determined to show fortune I can finish regardless! I have over a decade of wilderness trip-leading experience and a high tolerance for low level physical suffering—this race seemed like a great combination of both! I’m hoping my experience recently working as a night shift nurse will allow me to utilize calmer hours of the day for paddling and to duck in and nap during big blows, hopefully allowing me to make it to Ketchikan before the “grim sweeper” catches me.
What do you expect will be your biggest advantage—or biggest challenge—in the race?Biggest advantage—nimble, flexible, ability to operate around the clock based on when ideal conditions present themselves on this challenging coast.
Biggest challenge—I’m slow. it’s gonna be a lot of paddle strokes, and headwinds are a real son of a gun.Anything else you’d like readers to know? SUP’s are great! I encourage you to get into the sport! I can surf downwind, change my clothing and layering gear on the board if conditions change while I’m paddling. I can even stretch out and take a bit of a nap if I really wanted! Can’t say that about kayaks, eh!? Also the elevated platform of standing makes for better views of conditions far off and of marine creatures and bioluminescence below the water line. A beautiful sport on a beautiful coastline, I’m hoping. •SCA•
Eric and I coincidentally walked and chatted on Blaine St. at 4 am on Race Day morning. He was headed to the start, I was headed to Chetzamoka.