WaveChaser Relay Race

The WaveChaser relay race is Saturday March 13.  We’ll be using the same course running down San Francisco Bay as we did last year.  An incoming tide will aid in creating fast times.

Total distance for the four legs will be 34.7 miles (17.6 miles for the odd numbered legs and 17.1 miles for the even numbered legs for those on teams that will alternate the legs paddled). Additional details are below.

Start at Shorebird Park in Berkeley

First leg goes to Islias Creek in San Francisco (8.75 miles)

Route via water (9.4 miles): http://routebuilder.org/25y

Route via land (14.1 miles): http://tinyurl.com/5l4ef5

Second leg goes to Oyster Point

Route via water (7.5 miles): http://routebuilder.org/25z

Route via land (7.7 miles): http://tinyurl.com/6bpvg7

Third leg goes to the 3rd Avenue kite surfing launch in Foster City

Route via water (8.2 miles): http://routebuilder.org/264

Route via land (13.1 miles): http://tinyurl.com/6pzya4

Fourth leg goes to Bair Island Aquatic Center (BIAC) in Redwood City

Route via water (9.6 miles): http://routebuilder.org/263

Route via land (8.6 miles): http://tinyurl.com/6gjk4v

Route via water for the entire course: http://routebuilder.org/26f

The race start will be in three separate groups with a 30 minute gap between each group. You will be assigned a starting group at the conclusion of registration. Registration starts at 7:45 and closes at 8:30, and the first starting group will be as soon as possible thereafter. Please have your entire team register together. Race fees are $20 per paddler in small boats, and $10 per paddling for OC6's. Fees include the post race BBQ and party at BIAC.

Each team may do their relay exchanges in their own format with respect to who paddles what leg and how many legs each team member paddles. Additional changes (between official checkpoints) are allowed. Each team must check in at every check point, but it is not required to change paddlers at the checkpoints. Anything goes with respect to the format of your team. If you are a OC1 paddler and want to team up with a surfski paddler, you may do so. (ie you paddle OC1 on legs 1 and 3; partner paddles surfski on legs 2 and 4.) You may mix and match the gender of your teammates as you choose.

But there are a few firm rules:

1. Each team must paddle to every checkpoint even if they are not changing paddlers at that checkpoint.

2. If a team drops out, they must inform the race officials of their status. For safety reasons, we need to keep track of the whereabouts of each team.

3. PFD's must be worn at all times while on the water. (PFD use in your car as you drive to the next checkpoint is optional.)

4. We need a signed liability waiver for each paddler.

5. A designated driver is recommended if you plan on consuming copious amounts of the post race recovery drinks at the finish line BBQ.

Also, cut off times have been established at the second and third checkpoints. Those not meeting the cut off times will be asked to withdraw from the relay. The Oyster Point cut off time is 12:30 pm and the 3rd Avenue cut off time is 2:00 pm.

Some additional course info:

1. Look closely at the routebuilder.org maps for the exact location of the checkpoints.

2. You are required to go around the fishing pier that is under the western end of the San Mateo Bridge (just after the 3rd Avenue checkpoint).

3. Unlike the course in our summer downwind races, you are not required to go around the red channel markers south of the San Mateo Bridge.

There's a pretty good incoming tide during the race that will be of benefit after the first checkpoint. By the time paddlers get to the second half of the course, the tide will be plenty high to easily paddle over areas that are very shallow during low tides.

Welcome to the New Wavechaser website.  We are in the process of updating the website. Please excuse the mess.  Check back soon for a new and improved Wavechaser website.