The Golden Gate Yacht Club organized an interesting race today. It only had three marks and they could be rounded in and order and from any direction. Each mark was just off one of the Bay Area’s major bridges (Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, & Richmond-San Rafael Bridge). Only solo or doublehanded crews were allowed to participate. I got a few shots of some of the racers.
While down at Crissy Field today shooting windsurfing and sailing pictures today, I think I experienced someone jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. All of a sudden I saw the Coast Guard boat and the police boat and a jetski with scuba diver on back all racing toward the south tower of the bridge. Then I heard a fire truck and ambulance on their way to Fort Point. And then I looked up at the bridge and saw red lights flashing just to the left of the south tower.
Today was one of the first windy days of the season at Crissy Field and there were a handful of sailors present to take advantage of it. Full wetsuits and hats were definitely in order and there was lots of shaking of hands to try to get the blood flowing again. It looks like there might be more wind in the forecast for later in the week but it is also going to be accompanied by more cold weather and probably rain.
Check out the March 2008 issue of Windsurfing Magazine - page 54 & 55 for my most recent published photo… It’s a shot of Steve Bodner windsurfing under the Golden Gate Bridge during a big tide. Steve was out on his Formula gear and barely able to make progress against the current even at full power.
As I drove down Great Highway on the way to Half Moon Bay, I could see that the swell was looking good (and big). There was hardly any breeze. And the sun was out.
I parked at the airport and rode the shuttle bus out to Pigeon Point. Before heading to the beach, I hiked up the cliff to get an overview. At 8:30, people were already packed along the cliff. The break was along way off and the only way to get a good view was through a strong pair of binoculars. Down on the beach, the organizers had set up a big monitor showing and announcing all the action from the first heats.
There were 38 people on my boat tour aboard a 45 ft. fishing boat. We cruised out of the harbor, around the reef, and then out to the lineup. The harbor patrol had set up two buoys marking a line that all motorized spectator boats must stay behind. Waverunners and kayaks were allowed to get in closer.
The view from the boat was amazing and really made you feel like you were in the lineup with the surfers.
The Mavericks surf contest has been called for tomorrow and I’m lucky enough to have a spot on one of the boat tours. Check back for some up-close shots of the action tomorrow.
We arrived in Dallas, and made our way through customs, then arranged for an earlier flight to SF through Orange County. The flight arrived late by less than 5 minutes into Orange County but it was enough to make us miss our connection to SF. After waiting 2 hours for next flight, we board our last flight home. Finally, we arrive in SF after 30+ hours of traveling.
