I came across this http://www.theborderrun.org/. Has anyone here done this? what is it like? I'm kind of interested but have never raced before, I guess I can go just for fun.
theBorderRun
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You Can Have Fun!
Great people, good organization and lots of fun. I am doing both BR and BR2 this year. Did both last as well. In both cases I elected to do Dana Point this year as my destination since I have two other distance races and I don't need four for the season. You won't regret doing it. DO IT!
If doing Dana Point, do people usually motor the way back. I think it'd be head wind on the return trip, right?
You can take the wife & kids. The pre & post parties may be PG, but no worse. In Newport, there are guest slips by the Harbor Patrol office. Most guest accommodations in Newport Beach are on moorings or yacht clubs if you are a member of one and if it has reciprocals. If you can get a guest slip in advance, I'd take it over a mooring unless you have a dinghy and motor; I do not believe there is currently any shore taxi. Better to launch early in the morning. Maybe someone else can weigh in on Newport Beach. I don't spend a lot of time there.
what time does the race start? would I have enough time to power down from Alamitos Bay, Long Beach (where my boat is currently slipped)in the morning of the start date?
Consider all things
I hate to be Debbie Downer but I think you need to consider this with as much information as possible. We have history and each year it’s been a different race. So, here's our experience for you to consider along with everything you find out:
So, consider your experience, your family’s abilities and then prepare well.
Regarding sailing or motoring back north....you could luck out and sail but usually we've not been able to sail much more than motor sail on our way north.
Hope this helps you make the right decision for your family. I can't imagine that this year will be as bad as last years.... hope its a great race day.
I hate to be Debbie Downer but I think you need to consider this with as much information as possible. We have history and each year it’s been a different race. So, here's our experience for you to consider along with everything you find out:
- First year (2009) we entered our 30 Catalina and got a 1st place in our class. It was a fast race, getting us in at about 2am or so. The finish was difficult to find and many boats had to be talked through because they finish right near the Zuniga Jetty. Our boat lived in SD at the time so we were very familiar with the general tides and kelp around Pt. Loma and it made our trip much easier and safer. Friends got stuck in kelp and it was a frustrating race for them. The race organizers were very very nice but the race was quite chaotic with a few glitches and a very drunk MC. Still, we walked away with a 1st place for a 1st race so it was all good.
- Didn't enter 2010 (Dad passed away) but friends did and it was a bit slower getting them in around 3 or so. Still a little unorganized but the race is in its infancy.
- 2012 we entered again (Friends boat) and it was one of the most difficult races I've done. We did not start our motor during this race and basically made little headway most of the night. I finally took my shift below and an hour later was awakened by a MAYDAY by our competitor screaming they had driven over the Zuniga Jetty. By 7 am we were still many hours away from the finish and had all hit the wall (emotionally). Eventually we did find some wind and made it into the harbor sailing nicely. By the time we got something to eat and got to the race area the events were almost over....... and we were told we'd not even placed. After talking to the race scorers, they change that to 3rd place......and then 1st place!!! They'd given trophies to boats who used their motors and it took some discussions for them to realize it.
- This race is a work in progress and they will figure out what works and what does not; I would still support it but much of our crew and other boats we know have had it with this race.
So, consider your experience, your family’s abilities and then prepare well.
Regarding sailing or motoring back north....you could luck out and sail but usually we've not been able to sail much more than motor sail on our way north.
Hope this helps you make the right decision for your family. I can't imagine that this year will be as bad as last years.... hope its a great race day.
If I recall from last year, the start was noon. I motor down from Shoreline. It's 14 KM from Shoreline, so you can figure your speed to arrive about 45-30 minutes before the start. They will post the Sailing Instructions about a week before, but I do not expect them to do a 200 boat start all at once on the same line as they did last year. That was bit of a nail biter.
BTW, with respect to Luz's comments, I am assuming you are going to do the Dana Point course which would remove most of her cautions. I did San Diego twice last year, Border Run in March from Newport Beach to San Diego and in June in the Border Run 2 from Long Beach to San Diego. San Diego can be a tricky finish and it would not be my choice to try a night finish the first time there. This year, I'm doing a Dana Point finish for both races since I am doing two other longer distance races and I can only take so much motor boating returns.
Oh good, thanks Rick, I think I missed the fact that you all might be talking NEWPORT TO Dana Point!!! I'm not 100% sure I was Aware there was a part of that race ending on DP...... Yes, do it, DO IT!!! You should also plan on doing the Ensenada Tune up in April ?? From NEWPORT TO DP. Also. It's a DPYC race I'm pretty sure .
gree with Rick, motoring gets old quick!
gree with Rick, motoring gets old quick!
Video BR2
Just an FYI: by coincidence, I just finished uploading a video one of my crew took of the Long Beach to San Diego Border Run 2 last year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJlFrUY3hU8
Just an FYI: by coincidence, I just finished uploading a video one of my crew took of the Long Beach to San Diego Border Run 2 last year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJlFrUY3hU8
Wow, just now realizing we were in the same class.. We race on Sugarlips!
It was Lanikai I think, that went over Zuniga. Watching the video I feel badly that you were the boats we bumped ... sorry about that... it was the not running the motor that corrected us out.
I hear some Chris Botti in the background there, love that song.
Will look for you now that I put 2 and 2 together. I'm sure we've seen each other at these races. We are not doing the Border Run this year, at least not yet....... who knows, maybe we will decide at the last minute or take our boat (First Light C30 )
It was Lanikai I think, that went over Zuniga. Watching the video I feel badly that you were the boats we bumped ... sorry about that... it was the not running the motor that corrected us out.
I hear some Chris Botti in the background there, love that song.
Will look for you now that I put 2 and 2 together. I'm sure we've seen each other at these races. We are not doing the Border Run this year, at least not yet....... who knows, maybe we will decide at the last minute or take our boat (First Light C30 )
Don't Think It Was The Same Class
We were non-spin. I think Sugarlips was spinnaker or gennaker, no? Whatever, I have a first place trophy. We didn't power either.
hmmm, no spin for us, we're cruzin class always.....at least until we get a spin and do some practicing!! We keep talking about it 
Yeah, their computer was a bit of a mess... I don't know that they ever worked out the trophy situation.... I think maybe they felt it was too difficult once everyone left. Doesn't matter to me, not my boat, not my trophy. I was looking at your video hoping to see us near you! Dang, that would have been fun!
Yeah, their computer was a bit of a mess... I don't know that they ever worked out the trophy situation.... I think maybe they felt it was too difficult once everyone left. Doesn't matter to me, not my boat, not my trophy. I was looking at your video hoping to see us near you! Dang, that would have been fun!
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