Tsunami Rangers

tsunami rangers logo
tsunami rangers banner image

Kayaking the Pacific Ocean Coast of California and Oregon

You are here: Home / Tsunami Ranger Race / Reef Madness Kayak Race Coming Up

Reef Madness Kayak Race Coming Up

 

 

A sea creature competes–this could be you!

Mayday! Midday! Miramar!

 

That’s right.  You’re not crazy.  The ravens squawked that at midday on May Day at Miramar Beach the Reef Madness Kayak Race will take place.  At high noon an explosion will signal a passel of kayak racers to burst through five-foot surf and head north to Pillar Point, home of the infamous Mavericks surf wave.  After clearing Mavericks by hook or by nook, the racers will surf land at Ross’ Cove, turn around and head back to Miramar.  The winner will be the first boat to crash back on Miramar Beach and be dragged across the line in the sand.

The 2010 Reef Madness Racers

To learn the scintillating history of these races and heed some survival suggestions, read the “Race of the Sea Gypsies” story in CONFESSIONS OF A WAVE WARRIOR.  But all you got to know to race on May Day are these five things:

  1. You are completely on your own and responsible for yourself.
  2. You better be good in surf and rocks—and wear a helmet, wetsuit and PFD.
  3. It will likely be cold, foggy, and windy, with 50F water and treacherous reefs.  Expect the worst.
  4. Paddle a boat that you don’t care about, as it might get busted.
  5. There are no prizes, just self-satisfaction and the esteem of your peers.
At race start, everyone runs to the surf after the Big Bang
Bill Vonnegut and Don Barch land first and win the 2010 race

There are no sponsors, no organizers, no deep pockets, no nothin’—just friends out paddlin’ about in small boats.   In fact, I don’t know for sure if this is happening on May Day, cuz I just got wind of it myself.  What I heard is that you show up at One Mirada Road before 1100 if you intend to race, and you can paddle anything—a kayak, canoe, row boat, surf ski, baidarka, even a paddle board or SUP.   Even a dragon boat, if you can get it through the surf.  During the race, you must obey the law of the sea and help another boater in distress.  Oh yeah, joyful spectators are welcome, as they will be needed to haul boats down the ramp to the beach.  And, here’s the good part—the race is free!

Two pirates whoop it up after the big race

There will be big time festivities after the race.  Anyone who doesn’t want to be sold should dress up as a pirate, sea gypsy, Viking, or other sea creature.  Bring good food and grog to share—or else.  Be in the mood to dance up a storm as the renowned South City Blues Band will shake things up.  The race may be free; but be sure to generously reward the band.  Maybe I’ll see you there.  Arrrrrr. 

 

Tsunami Ranger John Lull on sax with the South City Blues Band

 

If you haven’t yet had the chance to survive this race, ask questions now, and maybe an old hand will give you some tips.
If you’ve been in the Reef Madness or Sea Gypsy race before, let the lubbers know what to expect, so they can flee in terror now.  Just add your comments and advice below.
facebookShare on Facebook
TwitterTweet
FollowFollow us

Related Posts:

Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. Nancy Soares says

    I’ll be dancing, but not racing. Once is enough for this one:) However, I’ll be doing a 5 hour martial arts workout from 7 to noon before I head over the hill to the party so I don’t have to feel like a complete wimp!

    Reply

  6. Laura Nixon says

    I’ll be there dancing, partying, and taking pix. I just noticed my name on the photos above–glad you could use them Eric! I hope we get weather something like today… after this wicked, cold, wet March I’m ready for the sun. And some good-sized surf for the race. See everyone there — L.

    Reply

    • Eric Soares says

      Thank you for the photos, Laura. I’m sure you’ll get some more good ones this year. BTW, you better wear a real good pirate or sea gypsy costume this year, or you will be sold!! Not just rented out, like last year. (I have the photo to prove it, harrrr).

      Reply

  7. Fat Paddler says

    “3. It will likely be cold, foggy, and windy, with 50F water and treacherous reefs. Expect the worst.”

    How could anyone say no to THAT?? Have fun you crazy sea dogs!

    Reply

  8. Kenny Howell says

    Fat Paddler – you would not believe the tales that have been told by the survivors of this strange and wonderful madness – a hedonistic rite of spring. We have a proud tradition of carnage, pillage, boat destruction, piracy at sea, swampings, scutttled retreats, courage under fire, bravado, daring-do, tragedies narrowly-averted, near-drownings, maimings, treachery, deceit, betrayal, guile, extraordinary acts of aggression and physical strength, fierce competition, trash-talking, deinial, wishful thinking, and all other forms of debauchery known to man. The adventure and romance that occurred would fill 3 volumes. I’ve been a victim and victor. You never know who will be keel-hauled this time around. Where’s my rum!!!

    Reply

  9. Eric Soares says

    Yes, FP, Kenny is right. So many really good kayakers have been knocked backwards end-over-end, ate sand, swam amongst breaking waves and rocks, watched their boats get demolished, and then got a lemon for a prize after their herculean efforts. You can’t beat that!

    But really, it’s all about the camaraderie. One year, the visiting Soviet Kayaking Team competed in old orange-and-yellow plastic river boats–and they all finished (dead last). For a prize they won a giant DON’T TREAD ON ME flag and a jug o’ rum. As they puttered down the road, they hollered out the window that rum was better than vodka and they loved America. See? The race helped diplomatic relations between our two nations. An aside: A little bird (okay, a massive raven) told me that this year, the race will commemorate the spirit of our friends from the East. You’ll have to see for yourself–comrade!

    Reply

  10. Kenny Howell says

    Eric, camaraderie is number one – sorry I left that off my list. And camaraderie on the highway and in the skies will be had on May 1 since it’s also the annual Dream Machinces air show in Half Moon Bay…

    Reply

    • Eric Soares says

      OMG! Say it isn’t so. Say that Dream Machines is just a dream. My revised plan is to get to the race site extra early. The traffic on Highway 1 will be horrific. You could walk faster than you could drive.

      Clyde say “Blleeuutt!”

      Reply

  11. Moulton Avery says

    I’ll be safely lying about like my totem animal, the Giant Sea Slug, on the East Coast of our fair land, and though me bum puckers painfully at the mere mention of this race of doom, I’ll joyfully break out the good grog and drink a toast to any man, woman, or beastie who puts a boat in the water at Miramar on that fateful day in May. Maybe next year I can work up the nerve to watch from the beach. So rock on brave lads and lasses, I bid ye well! Well, actually, maybe “rock off” would be a better turn of phrase in this case, but it has that vaguely unsavory sexual overtone, so I dunno…

    Reply

  12. David Etheridge says

    Get your Reef Madness shirts at cafepress.com/ReefMadness. This year is online only, but you can pick your design, size, color, t-shirt, sweatshirt, hoodie, zip-hoodie, long-sleeve, short sleeve, etc. Lmk if there’s a setup you want that’s not posted and, if the site permits, I’ll set it up for you. (As always – these are available at cost.)

    Reply

  15. Kenny Howell says

    We’ve had thong underwear awarded as prizes at some of the surfski races I do – which can make or break your day, depending on whose arse it be strapped to. At Reef Madness, it could be confusing for the typical pirate, who might mistake a thong for a headdress or dental floss. Thongwear should be optional. Pirate garb mandatory.

    Reply

  16. Eric Soares says

    I think a Reef Madness thong would be a good race prize. I already ordered my shirt (a grey t-shirt), so I’m done. I’ll wear it pre-race, but Kenny is right. Pirate garb is mandatory at the feast. Wearing a thong will not suffice.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *