Kayak Commute: Sunset from TI beach

Not bad for my Galaxy S4.  The sunset was amazing.... no filter, no photoshop, nothing.  

I figured it's gonna rain next week and I won't get to play soccer for a while... so I played...

I figured I could fight the tides on the way home (see the tide chart below)... so I fought...

I figured this would probably be the last paddle commute of the year... so I paddled.  

I felt as solid as a sumo wrestler, and as nimble as Neymar on the way to work.  Cutting through the glassy bay (probably the most calm paddle I've ever had), I arrived in SF in record time.  On the way back, I was planning to leave a bit early, as I knew the tides were only going to get stronger and stronger.  But my meeting ran late, and I got in the water knowing I'd get worked.  Three ferries buzzed me, as if they were letting me know that the current was against me, foreshadowing my later encounter with the 1740 ton, 273 meter Polar Resolution blowing it's horn a 100 yards away from me.  Definitely the loudest horn from the biggest vehicle that has ever honked at me.  That got my heart pumping.  It didn't help that this encounter occurred where the current was the strongest, and my legs were starting to cramp in the choppy water.

Despite all this, this was the best commutes of the year.  Dozens of pelicans dive bombing all around me; saying hello to cargo boat captains; seals coming up to say hello; and did you see the sunset? I had to stop and take a pic of that!

a minute before the polar resolution blew it's horn... like I didn't notice... check it. 

saying hi to the captain.  Had a short conversation with him... he was basically wondering WTF I was doing.  I was wondering where he was coming from... then it got pretty choppy and I almost fell in.  That ended that

enjoying the glass behind the boat.

Check out all the seagulls following the Polar Resolution.

heading to the beach to stretch my cramping legs

it was a good stretching sesh...

OK, time to get back in...

see those seals popping up behind me?  Most of the pod were in front of me, with dozen of them swimming/barking alongside.

ok, time to get back to beat the dark

Probably was fighting a 2+ knot current under the bridge.  

and on the way home...

Surfskiing!

I lightly tweaked my ankle a few weeks ago.  I think it's my posterior tibial tendonitis flaring up again... playing too much soccer, and barefoot running.  I really don't think barefoot running is good for overpronators.  At least more than a mile or two...

Anyway.... so now I've been biking and kayaking more.  I can't get out as quickly or easily, but I do enjoy those activities more anyway... so it's been working out.

So a few weeks back, when the tides were right, I doubled the number of surfski commutes to six.  And slowly and steadily, my average speed has been creeping up.  PROGRESS!!!

I've been paying attention to maintain a better paddle stroke... arms straighter, leaning forward more, and get proper rotation... requires more core.  My paddle stroke needs a bit of work... http://tcsurfski.com/surfski-technique-videos/

But the most fun part is returning from work when there is a slight breeze and there are some waves to catch.  I'm not very good at it, but I'll be working on that for sure... I wish I could do downwinders all day.  The basic concept of catching a wave (paddle hard), then easing off (to stay on the wave), and maintaining speed to catch the next wave (skill required here...) is what I try to focus on.  Right now, I'm not good at catching waves, and am not even sure if the conditions are good enough to catch a good downwinder, so I'm just trying to spend more time on the water to become more familiar with my boat....
http://tcsurfski.com/2014/07/11/downwind-surfski-paddling-elation/#comment-1375
http://tcsurfski.com/downwind-surfski-videos/

Oct 28th - portview park, tried out the chest mount (on movie mode) on the way back... good to analyze my paddling... not very good for timelapse.


Oct 30th - from portview park after dropping Kai off.... fell in 2x on the way home...

big boat...

Nov 4th - from signal beach

sayonara Kai chan!

the wake from Hyndai

too close to the bridge?  sorry...