2014 Catalina Ski Race Connections

[obnoxious001]

I've often thought about trying to tow people behind my boat but it worries me too much that a skier might have a bad accident for some reason and whether it was my fault or not I would know that somebody was hurt/killed behind my boat.

This is not the type of race where skiers get killed. The top (read that the fastest) skiers will usually only go with drivers they know, or are referred to if they are coming from out of the country. Usually you might start off pulling someone who won't be going as fast as your boat will run, and if the skier has a good observer in the boat, communications will keep the driver at a speed the skier is comfortable with.

If you are really interested in running the race, you will want to connect up with a skier (or skiers depending on class) and do one or two practice runs in advance so you can learn what all goes on. I have been watching and later participating in the race since I was a kid. I have driven and observed for a number of skiers. It's an interesting experience, conditions vary so much from one trip to another. You may see various forms of marine life, have to deal with Catalina Express boat wakes,, sometimes huge ships, fishermen in the horseshoe kelp beds area, etc. Last year I had another race boat cut across my bow twice, when I was following a direct path to the turn boat, and then again after his skier fell he came past again on the way back from the island,, true rookie moves, but the observer(who I knew) in the boat should have known better, especially with me waving him off.

[hpboats83]

This is not the type of race where skiers get killed. The top (read that the fastest) skiers will usually only go with drivers they know, or are referred to if they are coming from out of the country. Usually you might start off pulling someone who won't be going as fast as your boat will run, and if the skier has a good observer in the boat, communications will keep the driver at a speed the skier is comfortable with.

If you are really interested in running the race, you will want to connect up with a skier (or skiers depending on class) and do one or two practice runs in advance so you can learn what all goes on. I have been watching and later participating in the race since I was a kid. I have driven and observed for a number of skiers. It's an interesting experience, conditions vary so much from one trip to another. You may see various forms of marine life, have to deal with Catalina Express boat wakes,, sometimes huge ships, fishermen in the horseshoe kelp beds area, etc. Last year I had another race boat cut across my bow twice, when I was following a direct path to the turn boat, and then again after his skier fell he came past again on the way back from the island,, true rookie moves, but the observer(who I knew) in the boat should have known better, especially with me waving him off.

Makes me just think of the accident that the Herbst boys had on lake Mead.

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[BadFish]

Still looking for a second skier to ski back from Catalina in the over and back class.
Thanks

[Eli]

Still looking for a second skier to ski back from Catalina in the over and back class.
Thanks

Are you skiing there?


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[BadFish]

Are you skiing there?


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Yeah. I would prefer to ski there vs back.
Thanks for starting this thread.

[Eli]

Yeah. I would prefer to ski there vs back.
Thanks for starting this thread.

You're welcome. Would you mind telling us your experience level?


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[crazyhippy]

You're welcome. Would you mind telling us your experience level?


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Ask your surfing/ photography buddies about this guy...

Howdy Mr. Badfish! Long time no see.

[BadFish]

You're welcome. Would you mind telling us your experience level?


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As far as ski racing goes, I ski in the Men's Novice class for both circles and in the Mini Marathon (26 mile) I average 70 to 75mph on lake or river course, but Catalina is a whole different beast as far as speed, and I have only attempted that race once so far. I made it to the island, around the turn and about 1/4 of the way back and stepped off, and tried to get up again, but was so exhausted there was no way, and that is why I am doing the over and back this year.
Also looking for any water time lake or ocean, so if anybody needs more people on the boat for a practice session let me know.

Thanks

[ColeBoater]

Still looking for a second skier to ski back from Catalina in the over and back class.
Thanks

I would consider skiing back. I am 31 and in excellent shape (4 day a week gym rat and super healthy eater guy). Been on a single since I was 8 years old. Never raced, but how hard can going fast behind a boat in the ocean be??!!

[crazyhippy]

I would consider skiing back. I am 31 and in excellent shape (4 day a week gym rat and super healthy eater guy). Been on a single since I was 8 years old. Never raced, but how hard can going fast behind a boat in the ocean be??!!

Hahahahaha

I hurt more the day after my first Catalina, than after my first marathon...

This is not a fast race (well, not for normal people, the elite guys are flying), it is an endurance race. 45-55mph would be very competitive, a 65mph average will be in the top 10 overall.

Please, don't take this as a negative, or as an attack. Ski racing as a whole is one of the coolest things I've ever done, and Catalina is an experience for sure. It is NOT easy!