By Hogan Webb
Staff Writer
Two Costa students are taking advantage of the nearby Pacific Ocean by pursuing the unique opportunity of open-ocean paddling as a sport. Seniors Cole Horton and Derrick Compass have pursued paddle racing as their hobby and have conquered hundreds of miles of California coastline.
Compass and Horton have been paddling with each other for nine years and they are currently training to accomplish one of the sports most elite races: The Catalina Classic. This race is a grueling 32-mile open ocean paddle race from Avalon Catalina to Manhattan Beach, California.
“I’m really excited to finally get to be a part of this race,” Horton said. “I know and look up to a lot of paddlers who do this race and its an honor to have the opportunity to participate.”
Paddle racing is performed on a fiberglass paddle boards where the athlete can paddle the board on their knees or on their chest. The boards have two side handles to hold onto when they catch waves. Boards range from 10-18 feet in length, and your race heat is dependent upon your board size.
“I have paddled several board sizes, but my preferred length is 12 feet,” said Compass. “The most important aspect while being out in the ocean is that you feel comfortable and the 12 foot board is easy to control.”
The Junior Guard program nine summers ago first introduced Compass and Horton to paddling. They slowly grew a love for the sport and began going out to paddle with their dads who are both lifelong watermen.
“Although I was first introduced to the sport during Junior Guards, my dad is the one who really pushed me to take up the sport,” Compass said. “My dad is a big time paddler and has really motivated me to do it.”
For the past five years, Compass and his dad have done the Rock to Rock paddle together. This is a 22-mile open ocean race across the Catalina Channel. The first two years they competed as a team but as Compass’ paddling skills grew, he began to compete individually.
“There’s something really special about getting to be out on the water in the middle of nowhere with your dad,” said Horton. “He is my biggest motivation and paddling has really bonded us.”
Compass and Horton have done several races together, including the Rock to Rock, The Hennessys Paddle, The Junior Guard Taplin and the Cold Hands competition. Besides the Catalina Classic, they plan to compete in the Malibu Downwind paddle race this summer.
“We try to enter into as many contests as we can,” said Compass. “It’s important to enter in a lot of races to experience new ocean situations such as currents and waves. Knowledge of how to react in these situations will only help in the future.”
Compass and Horton typically paddle every Saturday and Sunday. When they train, they are around one mile off of the coast and paddle six to ten miles parallel to the beach.
“Derrick and I try to get down to the water as often as we can,” said Horton. “It takes a lot of work to go paddling since we have to transport a 12 foot board to the beach. Its unlike most other sports in the sense that you can’t practice at your local park or school field.”
Compass and Horton have also helped many younger athletes learn the principles of paddling. They have been Junior Guard Cadets for the past two summers and inspired other junior lifeguards to start paddling.
“I’ve been paddling with Cole and Derrick for several years now,” said sophomore Jean Paul Lebosnoyani.“They have really inspired me and have become my role models in the sport.”
Compass and Horton drive each other to perform better when they train. Although paddle racing is a very competitive sport, they primarily do it for their love of the ocean.
“Since we are some of the youngest guys out there, its hard for us to be super competitive,” said Compass. “I just like to be out in the ocean with the people I love. Cole and I have developed an inseparable friendship from this.”
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