Despite some pretty nasty weather yesterday Thursday August 6th that only got worse as the morning went on, Robb Gaffney and Dave Kalama plus a group of two dozen ski and snowboard athletes and friends attempted the 2nd annual Lake Tahoe Stand Up Paddleboard crossing to benefit the Bob Woodruff Family Foundation and reMIND.org. TV journalist Bob Woodruff sustained severe brain trauma in a roadside bombing while covering the war in Iraq in 2006. The foundation was created to provide extra resources and support for US soldiers and other victims of traumatic brain injuries.
Just like last year I agreed to be a "support boat" for the paddlers - several of which are personal friends and athletes in the area including this year one of PortersTahoe.com's ski team athletes Tim Dutton. So about 5am I took off from the Coast Guard station in Tahoe City and headed south for Camp Richardson. The moonset and sunrise were awesome....
It was already pretty windy in the middle and south of the lake as an unseasonably cold and windy front began to move in, so the starting point was moved to Meeks Bay. Luckily we got a little lull in the wind after sunrise - plus with the bay being more protected - that allowed for a picture perfect start.
However, it didn't take more than a half hour before the storm starting kicking up and heading our way. Quickly the group split into those with enough experience and the right boards to try and out-run it to Kings Beach, while the rest wisely peeled off at Homewood.
I made one last check on the group pushing on about parallel with Dollar Point, and then I made a run for it back to Tahoe City before the Coast Guard's "red flag" small craft advisory REALLY kicked into gear.....
The time has come! Starting in three weeks from today is the one and only World Heli Challenge in Wanaka, NZ. This event consist of events that test all aspects of a skiers ability to get it on. The event starts with a Big Mountain Comp then moves into a Freeride Comp then tops it all off with the infamous Chinese Downhill. Skiers from all over the world are going to attend with serious bragging rights on the line. Check out more of the event at http://www.worldhelichallenge.com/
0 items cart 
