Ryan Barnes has asked boats doing this year's race to make some video footage that he could use for a video he is working on about the Offshore. Of course, we'd love to share your video footage here on the blog too. Get those cell phones and GoPro cams to work!
Great Kick-Off Last Night
We had a great Kick-off party last night. It was fun to see everyone and meet some new boat owners. We did have several folks looking for rides. If you are looking for a ride, or need another crew member, check our our google group - Oregon Offshore Google Group . You can post crew or boat wanted notices on this group.
Ryan Barnes appears on 750 AM The Game
Ryan Barnes recounted his Whale of a Tail with Brian Berger on 750 AM The Game, a local sports radio station this afternoon. You can hear Ryan and Brian here Ryan's radio interview with Bryan Berger. For those new to the offshore, Ryan and his Father Jerry Barnes owned L'Orca, an ironically named sailboat that was hit by a breaching whale near the beginning of the 2011 Oregon Offshore.
Rendezvous had dropped out
Rendezvous has notified us that they are not going to be ready for the race, so they have dropped out of the race for this year.
Kick-off Party Tonight
Don't forget the Offshore Kickoff tonight at Kells Irish Restaurant and Pub, 112 SW Second Avenue, Portland. The party starts at 1800 hours in the upstairs banquet room. You can buy t-shirts and raffle tickets and sign up for the post-race BBQ. We have some great raffle prizes from some of our sponsors.
One more boat
The Offshore fleet has added one more boat. Passepartout, skippered by Pete Shainin is a Stevens 47. She is a veteran of this race.
A report from one of the survivors of the tragedy in San Francisco
Bryan Chong, one of the three survivors of the Farallon Islands race tragedy has written a first person account of what happened and what went wrong. Every offshore racer should read this - and discuss it with the rest of their crew.
Click here for Bryan Chong's account.
The fleet reaches 19 boats
Yesterday was the deadline for entries for the race. We have some new boats joining the fleet and some boats that are new to this race. We are delighted to see all the boats doing this race for the first time.
Timm and Victoria Lessley's Cal 40, California Girl will be doing the race again. California Girl is a veteran Oregon Offshore racer and has done a number of Pacific Cups to Hawaii.
Timm and Victoria's other boat, Freewind, a Cal 9.2 was recently purchased by Canadian Richard Hudson. He has entered her in the race. This makes Freewind the second Canadian boat in the fleet.
Kotuku, a Farr 1220 hailing from Seattle has joined the fleet. She is skippered by Graeme Esarey. She is a new boat to our race as well.
A perrenial racer, Cool Change is back again. She is a C & C 38 skippered by Frank Noragon. Frank and his crew always seem to be having the best time in this race, even when conditions are miserable.
Phillip Owens' Beneteau Oceanus 36 is also joining the fleet. Phillip has been crew on other Offshore boats, but this is his first time as a skipper.
Timm and Victoria Lessley's Cal 40, California Girl will be doing the race again. California Girl is a veteran Oregon Offshore racer and has done a number of Pacific Cups to Hawaii.
Timm and Victoria's other boat, Freewind, a Cal 9.2 was recently purchased by Canadian Richard Hudson. He has entered her in the race. This makes Freewind the second Canadian boat in the fleet.
Kotuku, a Farr 1220 hailing from Seattle has joined the fleet. She is skippered by Graeme Esarey. She is a new boat to our race as well.
A perrenial racer, Cool Change is back again. She is a C & C 38 skippered by Frank Noragon. Frank and his crew always seem to be having the best time in this race, even when conditions are miserable.
Phillip Owens' Beneteau Oceanus 36 is also joining the fleet. Phillip has been crew on other Offshore boats, but this is his first time as a skipper.
Crew Lists
It just came to my attention that the crew list form was inadvertently left out of the 2012 race packet. I have added it to the race documents on the left side of this page. Skippers might find it easier to get this document completed and submitted before the Skipper's Meeting in Astoria.
The Entry Deadline Fast Approaches
If you are still planning to enter the 2012 Oregon Offshore, you are almost out of time. The entry deadline is Monday, April 23, 2012. Complete entries must be at Schooner Creek by that time. To have a complete entry, all fees and deposits must be paid in full and all your entry paper work must be turned in. (Crew lists do not need to be turned in until the Skipper's Meeting on May 9 in Astoria).
Check Your Passports!
Just a reminder to everyone doing the race - you need a current passport. This is an international race and you enter into Canada at the end of the race unless you dip the line and turn around to go back to the US without stopping. If you don't stop, you'll miss all the fun! The deadline to get an expedited passport or passport renewal is now. The "expedited" passport processing takes 2-3 weeks. It is already way too late to use the regular process, which takes 6 to 8 weeks.
If you wait much longer, it will take a drive to Seattle to get a new or renewed passport. If you've had your passport for a while, be sure to check the expiration date, they expire in 10 years.
If you wait much longer, it will take a drive to Seattle to get a new or renewed passport. If you've had your passport for a while, be sure to check the expiration date, they expire in 10 years.
Three more boats join the fleet
Tom Kelly's J122 Anam Cara has joined the fleet. Anam Cara was the first to finish and overall winner of last year's Cape Flattery Swiftsure Race.
The C&C 34 Katzenjammer, skippered by Jim Calnon has entered.
Perennial favorite Time Bandit, a J120 skippered by Bob Brunius has joined the fleet.
The C&C 34 Katzenjammer, skippered by Jim Calnon has entered.
Perennial favorite Time Bandit, a J120 skippered by Bob Brunius has joined the fleet.
Peregrine has withdrawn from the race.
Steve Smolinske's Catalina 38 Peregrine has had to withdraw from the race. We'll miss these guys. Maybe next year!
Timm Lessley on preparation for your trip North
Eric Rouzee discussing cruising up North
Jack Becker speaking at the Going North seminar
This morning we have a well attended seminar giving everyone great information about boat preparation and tactics.
Kinetic joins the fleet
We now have an international slate of entries. Welcome to Kinetic, a Beneteau First 47.7. She hails from Vancouver, BC. Her skipper is David Sutcliffe. David brings a crew that includes Vern Burkhardt, the Chair for the Swiftsure. David is the Event Chair for the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club's Vic-Maui race.
Marine Drive partially closed on Saturday morning
If you are planning to go to Portland Yacht Club for the Going North Seminar tomorrow morning at 0900 hours and are coming from the East, be aware that Marine Drive is closed from about 223rd Ave to 33rd Ave. due to a race on the road. NE 33rd Ave. will be open, so you can get to Marine Drive from NE 33rd.
Going North Seminar This Saturday
Offshore participants and anyone else planning to take their boat North this year should join CYC and PYC at our Going North seminar this Saturday, April 7 at Portland Yacht Club. The seminar runs from 9:00 am to 11:30 am. Those attending the seminar are also invited to buy lunch at PYC and check out their new chef's creations.
Corrected Skipper for Free Bowl of Soup
The correct skipper for Free Bowl of Soup is Eric Hopper. Doug Schenk and Matt Davis are partners in the boat with him.