7 Mile Biscayne Bay Race - Cocoplum 500

[ricki]

There was yet another scenic SUP race put on in the ongoing Hobie Standup Series organized by Liquid Surf & Sail. This time from the home waters of the Shake-A-Leg Foundation by Monty Trainers and Dinner Key, south to and west along the Coral Gables Canal and back again.

Here are some images from along the way ...


The start next to historic Dinner Key, the former USCG airbase and more.






The event was hosted by the Shake-A-Leg Foundation, an excellent organization devoted to community service on the sea. This is from their website:

"Shake-A-Leg Miami helps children and adults with physical, developmental and economic challenges; liberating them from the realm of imagination into the realm of experience. We have successfully created an inspirational haven, where people of all backgrounds and abilities find common ground."



Jim DeSilva conducts the captains meeting



The course, an ambitious 7.2 mile run down Biscayne Bay, up the Coconut Grove Canal and back again.



The race starts close to the former USCG seaplane base and just next to the former Pan American Miami Clipper Station. This is also the former location of Miami Hang Gliding, where I learned to fly gliders. All sorts or air activities were born here.



Launching



Shake-A-Leg provided three chase craft with operators. These were really nifty inflatable landing craft boats.



Heading out to the starting line






The start!
CLICK IMAGE FOR FULL SIZED PHOTO



There were a few twists and turns after the start around the spoil islands/breakwaters






The speed machine of the fleet









A different scene after Hurricane Andrew, we will rebuild and move on



If you see any of these, don't forget to duck!









Stretching out down the Bay



There's Jim pulling along



Rickenbacker Causeway bridge in the distance



Rounding the point into the Coral Gables Canal









From: http://miami.edu



Not sure but this might have been Jimmy's first standup race?!









Passing under Old Cutler Road, (I think)



They have all this massive exposed limestone along the canal



One LONG race, really hot too



Scenic though, nice venue for a race


To be continued ...