Name: Mike McDaniel (aka: el Mikexican)
Hometown: Monterey, CA

Age: 43
Years Paddling: 5 or so

Weekly Mileage:
Uh... not enough to be proud of.

Preferred board length to paddle:
Unlimited

Favorite Paddle route:
Pebble Beach/Carmel loop at home, Santa Cruz to Capitola when
I’m up there.

Favorite race:
The Jay Moriarity Race is awesome because it feels like an honor to paddle in it, and the community is really tight that day,
just great vibes all around, everyone is inspired and stoked to remember Jay. The Santa Cruz Pier 2 Pier is super fun too.

I Started Paddling Because:
I needed something like a meditation in  my  life, but I can’t sit that still. Paddling is it for me. Plus, I  just  like to be in the water, and it gets you through the flat  spells. And  because Dave King gave me a smokin’ deal on my first  board. Thanks Dave.

Best Paddling Experience to Date:
I’m pretty into the ocean, and  it’s  beautiful where I live, but ‘best’ might be paddling up on  Lake Tahoe.  It’s just amazing to
paddle amongst all that stunning  scenery and  crystal clear water. It’s like a dream.

Favorite Thing About Paddling:
t’s a microcosm of a sport, and   everyone you meet is super cool. It reminds me of the real early  days  (1982-83) of snowboarding, where you knew everybody and just  wanted to  share the stoke with everyone.

Thing I Hate Most About Paddling:
Having people mistake you for a   kayaker, or ask “Why is your kayak so long?” I actually had one  woman  in a kayak dart over to me yelling “Did you lose your  paddle?! Do you  need help?!” That probably doesn’t happen
in SoCal.  They’re just not  that common around here I guess.

What I Tell Myself to Motivate on Days I Just Don't Want to Paddle: 
“You’re going to lose your only sponsor—SFT Tequila Bar, in  Mexico—if  you don't get some miles in and
make 'em proud, and  then... no more  free tequila.”

Best "Oh Crap" Moment While In Middle of Ocean:
There are two. Once  I  was cruising outside of the kelp beds in Monterey and about a  mile out  I realized I was completely
surrounded by jellies; those  nasty orange  ones with the super long trails, hundreds of em. I  paddled back very  carefully. The other was realizing that I left my  brand new iPhone on  the roof of my car in the parking lot—I set it  there while I was 
unstrapping my board. The sprint back was  probably my fastest ever.

iPods While Paddling: Godsend or Good Grief?
I’m not anti, but I  don’t  do it. I’m pretty into the surroundings when I paddle. I’ll  probably  try it out eventually.

There's a Head High Swell on a Glassy Day. What do you do? (surf or   paddle):
No question, I’m going surfing.

Paddling Season (which month to which month):
May to November. I’d   paddle in the winter more if I were home, but I’m in Mexico for a  lot  of the winter.

Bright and early, or nightcap?
I like both, as long as it’s glassy.  I  enjoy paddling at night with a full moon, too.

Downwind paddle or wait for down winds (glassy):
I dig the glass. I   don’t have much
experience with downwind yet. That’s next.