From: bodysurfing@yahoogroups.com Date: February 9, 2009 5:36:46 AM EST To: bodysurfing@yahoogroups.com Subject: [bodysurfing] Digest Number 4052 ________________________________________________________________________ 2. A holding period and other important aspects of bodysurfing competition Posted by: "YON - Jan C. Hardenbergh" jch@jch.com yonjan Date: Sun Feb 8, 2009 6:24 pm ((PST)) First let me be clear, I doubt I will ever win a serious bodysurfing competition. I've only been in 2. I love bodysurfing and on a good day I can catch whatever comes my way, but, to watch Mark Cunningham and others ride waves makes me very humble. Being so humbled is actually a cool part about going to competitions. Second, altho my heart would take me to every great spot all of the time, my wallet does not have the oomph. Even going at all is very extravagant! However, we have a long winter in Boston and it is easy to get lazy and under stress I sometimes turn to cigarettes. There is nothing more motivating to get in tip top shape than the idea of having to make it out of the kill zone at Pipeline in a hurry. Getting in great shape and keeping me from smoking is worth a couple of grand, perhaps even every year. Of course being in the ocean in the winter is a nice side benefit. I would call a holding period as a defined period of time in which the contest will definitely run. I noticed some tow in surf contest has a 2 month holding period, but, if you are rich enough to do that and you are waiting for 70 foot waves, that might make sense. The Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic (PBC) holding period is about 9 days. That is actually a little too long if you have a job and finite vacation, but, I'm definitely going if they ever run it again. It sounds like the NSLG Pipe Contest is 5 days. That might be a little short, but who knows. I'd love to hear what people thought about 9 days in late January vs. 5 days in late March - how often do you get good waves at Pipeline in late March? So, for me, the holding period should be long enough to make good waves a STRONG likelihood. But, short enough so I can travel there on a round trip ticket and not miss too much work. I was in the PBC once - a peak experience - even tho I did not make it out of my heat and the WBC once. I love saying The World Bodysurfing Championships. I had a great time there in 2002 ( http://www.jch.com/jch/bodysurf/ wbc02.htm ) However, the waves were disappointing. Still, it was my first experience of being in a community of serious bodysurfers. There are a few other bodysurfers on the East Coast beside John Kelly, but we are a rare breed. A second important attribute of the contest is that it be announced at least 3 months beforehand. At 52, it takes me longer to get in shape than it used to. So, I quit smoking as soon as I bought the tickets to Ixtapa, but a laproscopic hernia repair slowed down training. I will be putting on the ice skates and snow shoes back on soon. How's that for cross training? And also buying a 3 month pass to the town pool tomorrow. Of course, announcing early also helps those who need to buy plane tickets! The third thing that is important is to be able to register early. I don't want to fly half way around the world and find out that the contest is full. Well, that's my opinion on what makes a good contest. OK, time to take the dog out in the 6 (SIX!) degree Fahrenheit air and then off to bed. Luckily, thoughts of waves will keep me warm. Peace, YON from Boston. ------------------------------------ To unsubscribe from Bodysurfing, go to the following URL: http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/bodysurfing/