WestSSUP Represents at Miami Ultraskate 2014
This is an article published by the Inland Valley News based in Upland, California written by Jeremiah Pascua and contributors. I wanted to capture the Ultraskate from unique WestSSUP competitor perspective and really allow the audience to feel what is was like to be there. Enjoy!
Miami, FL – On the day of Dr. MLK Jr. celebrations, hundreds gathered to witness history as riders attempt to set personal and possibly break world records. The International Distance Skateboarding Association (IDSA) writes, “With nearly double the participation as the inaugural Ultra Skate, the 2nd annual Ultra Skate at Homestead-Miami Speedway was an absolute […] blast. From the locals in Florida, to the west coast with California and Oregon to our international friends in France, Spain and Germany, our friends traveled near and far to come out for the 2nd running of the Ultra Skate. Over 75 of the fastest and strongest skaters came to match wits, test themselves and break personal records at the amazing race track they have in Homestead, FL.” This monumental event served as stepping-stone for those who wanted to make their mark within distance skateboarding community.
A solid performance requires a great deal of training as well as determination, physical strength and mental fortitude to keep on pushing when your mind is telling your body to stop. Standing, sleeping or skateboarding–performing any activity for 24 hours in a row is a challenge within itself. Local Street Stand Up Paddle (SSUP) riders Deejay Pascua, Daniel Cambay, and Jeremiah Pascua set out on a mission to properly represent their up and coming sport of Street SUP (stand up paddle), amongst the tight-knit community long distance longboarding. Within the 80 competitors, these 3 riders were determined to break the mold by attempting to reach 200 miles in 24-hours utilizing solely a street paddle, contrary to the traditional kick-push method of propulsion. All this while consuming a purely plant based diet. “We just want to shed light on our passion for the sport and debunk the numerous stereotypes placed on Street SUP riders,” states local WestSSUP rider Daniel Cambay of Pomona, California.
At 1:30 pm on January 20th, the 24-hour race kicked off with the majority of riders setting a fast pace, moving at about 6:30 seconds a lap (1.46 miles) for the first 4 hours or so. The local southern California street SUP riders anticipated the early rush of speedy skaters, and confidently stood strong and kept their training pace of 9 miles per hour, for the first 6 hours (9 minutes/lap). Technically speaking, a 9-mile per hour pace should take you to 200 miles in 24 hours, but after factoring in a dynamic headwind, slight up hills and human limitations this strategy begins to expose it’s flaws.
Local WestSSUP rider Deejay Pascua was the first of the three southern California skaters to reach 100 miles at around 11 hours in, half way to the communal goal of 200 miles. After the 12-hour mark at 1:00 a.m., Daniel Cambay eclipsed 100 miles, as was still riding strong while Jeremiah Pascua hit his personal record of 100 miles pure paddling where he was forced to take a break from cramping. The early morning hours were the toughest as only a handful of riders continued to ride. As the weak links rested the stronger riders persevered, the current world record holder Andrew Andras stated, “The hardest part is staying up through the night.” This theory proved to be true because Andrew “The Machine” Andras shattered his old record of 261 miles set at the first Ultra Skate, by going nearly 200 laps and finishing with 283.24 miles!
After 18 hours of hypnotizing riding, only 1 of the 3 local street SUP riders were on pace for the exclusive 200 mile club but was cutting it real close. The 1-hour buffer Deejay had built in the first 12 hours was beginning to dwindle due to poorly managed breaks and inconsistent pacing from fatigue. At approximately mile 135 the So Cal Native was forced to take a nap because he was literally falling asleep while riding. A 30-minute nap provided rest but also some tough news, Deejay had found himself to be right on the cusp of reaching 200 miles. According to his calculations he would have to ride the last 65 miles keeping to a strict pace and with no rest time for the next 8 hours. Negative thoughts and pure fatigue becomes the real challenge for anyone pushing their limits in this type of endurance race.
At Deejay’s 145-mile mark, Jeremiah was able to resume riding after recovering from his cramp nap. Jeremiah was able to assist his brother in keeping pace and was providing much needed mental support for his older brother. At mile 165 around 7 a.m., it started to rain making the last few hours even more dreadful. After lap 132 Deejay was feeling the fatigue, WestSSUP team trainer Janina Pyburn could see the toll that the ride is taking on the WestSSUP rider and blended him a green smoothie with high amounts of vitamin B12 to help him finish strong. Her efforts may have been to little to late. Just after consuming the natural smoothie Deejay had reached an unforeseeable physical and mental low-point. Feeling dizzy and nauseous Deejay’s body had to stop, overheating and exhaustion had taken its toll. He stumbled off of his board, unable to stand; he then fell to the pavement. Fatigue has taken its toll, leaving Deejay desiring nothing else but to lay down on the racetrack.
For approximately 15 minutes Deejay could do nothing but lay there while being attended to by supporters helping to cool him off and to keep him from passing out. While the Fontana-native regretfully rested on the tarmac, many of his fellow racers would pass by to lend their support. After apologizing to his team for not making his goal, Deejay had accepted his defeat and began to get up. As soon as he jumped on his board to go back to the pits, Deejay felt a surge of energy and decided to try for another lap. The vitamin B12 smoothie had kicked in and Deejay was on his way again but short on time. He completed the lap at hour 23:23 leaving him with only 37 minutes to complete 4 more laps. Feeling the pressure, the plant-based athlete Deejay Pascua gave it his all by clocking 4 of his fastest laps of the entire 24-hour event to finish strong and capture his monumental goal of 200 miles pure paddling with only 4 minutes left!
The final tally for the WestSSUP riders: Daniel Cambay 131.4, Jeremiah Pascua 156.22 and Deejay Pascua 200.2 miles. Congratulations to the WestSSUP team and on to the next race, the Chief Ladiga 188 mile challenge in Atlanta, GA. For more event coverage and information, visit www.westssup.com
