What I love about changes racing

A changes race is a unique experience, and sometimes difficult to explain to others who don't paddle. It's a true team event, with everyone putting in their max effort, before jumping out of the canoe and resting...then having to get back in again.

To explain the phenomena a bit better, here's what I love about changes racing:

The Start. Canoes looking for the start flags and positioning for the best start. Support boats jostling nearby, on the lookout for their crews. And for the Molokai race, a fleet of official boats marked with pink flags to hold back the support boats, and guide the flotilla as it makes its way to Oahu

The start

The drop off. Time for the first change. Like a parachuter launching out of an aircraft on a mission, you grab your hat, pinch your nose, and leap into the ocean.

The drop off

Spotting the canoe and lining up with your team mates as anticipation builds

Lining up the canoe with your team mates

Watching the canoe disappear behind a massive swell

Seeing the canoe disappear (and just your lone hand sticking up, hoping the steerer will spot you)

Seeing the canoe re-emerge, hurtling down the slope of a wave, heading straight at you. Manu raised.

Canoe re-emerges...on top of you

Getting in. All different techniques - it doesn't matter what you use. Leg hook-over, head first, elegant side sit (the textbook method). I especially like it when the steerer gets in!

Getting in 

Getting in again!

Paddling hard

Paddling hard

Paddling hard

Being in the ocean

And surfing!

And surfing!

More surfing!

Getting out. Your section done and time to hand over to a fresher team mate.

Getting out

Bobbing in the ocean, then looking for the buoy that will help lead you to the support boat, also bobbing in the ocean

Buoy to the support boat

Hanging out with friends on the support boat

Hanging out with friends

Eugene reapplying sunscreen for you (so you don't make your hands slippery and hard to hold the paddle), finding you some food, and grabbing you a gatorade from the ice box

Eugene and Dexter - support boat legends

Reaching Diamond Head

Almost there

Nailing your last change of the day. YEAH!

Last change!

Willing on your team mates during a sprint to the finish

Your support boat crew, who kept you safe along the crossing

Support crew - Justin, April and Dexter

Finishing as a team

Finishing as a team

Celebrating as a team! Food and sleep!

Then finally, planning to do it again.